RESOLVING THE LEDGER
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See the full story · 2 sourcesMMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom goes in-depth to break down the biggest fights in the UFC. Today, he takes a closer look at UFC Fight Night 283's main event between Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez.
Uros Medic UFC Fight Night 283 preview
Staple info:
Record : 13-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC
Height : 6'1" Age: 33 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 71"
Last fight : Knockout win over Geoff Neal (Feb. 21, 2026)
Camp : Brickhouse Boxing Club (California)
Stance/striking style : Southpaw/kickboxing
Risk management : Fair
Supplemental info:
+ Multiple regional kickboxing accolades
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu blue belt
+ Judo orange belt
+ 11 KO victories
+ 2 submission wins
+ 10 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Aggressive pace and pressure
+ Dangerous left hand
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Dynamic kicking game
+ Strong inside the clinch
+ Serviceable grappling ability
+/- 2-2 against UFC-level southpaws
Daniel Rodriguez UFC Fight Night 283 preview
Staple info:
Record : 20-5 MMA, 10-4 UFC
Height : 6'1" Age: 39 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 74"
Last fight : Decision win over Kevin Holland (July 19, 2025)
Camp : 10th Planet Jiu-jitsu (California)
Stance/striking style : Southpaw/kickboxing
Risk management : Good
Supplemental info:
+ Regional MMA title
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu purple belt
+ Amateur MMA accolades
+ 9 KO victories
+ 4 submission wins
+ 5 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Steady pace and pressure
+ Solid southpaw jab
^ Variates well to the body
+ Deceptively dangerous left hand
^ Coming forward or off the counter
+ Strong inside the clinch
+ Serviceable grappling ability
+/- 1-1 against UFC-level southpawas
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez breakdown: Southpaw vs. southpaw
The main event in Belgrade features a southpaw striker’s delight between Serbia’s Uros Medic and America’s Daniel Rodriguez.
As I always say in southpaw vs. southpaw affairs, perceived striking advantages can be tricky to parse considering the volatility of the stance pairing. Aside from distances being different in open-stance affairs, southpaws can struggle to translate their game given both their preferences and training environments (as most southpaws have predicated their games primarily against orthodox opposition).
Medic and Rodriguez are officially .500 fighters opposite fellow UFC-level lefties, with each carrying their own individual strengths in the stance-pairing.
Rodriguez, who is primarily a boxing-based fighter, still finds play off his jab, varying shots well to the head and body. In fact, Rodriguez arguably has an easier time circling off his jab and walking opponents into power shots when you consider the natural flow of action that closed-stance affairs cause.
Rodriguez also tends to kick a bit more against other southpaws, utilizing inside and outside low kicks alike. That said, I’ll be curious how much the Mexican-American looks to kick, considering the potential counters coming his way.
Enter Medic.
Although Medic has mostly made a name for himself as a do-or-die madman who throws everything but the kitchen sink in the first frame of his fights, the Serbian standout has quietly been sharpening up his skills and offensive approaches during this recent win streak he finds himself on.
No longer feeling the need to immediately rush forward, Medic is content with staging his blitzes and counters on the outside of range – a place where he can exercise his kicking arsenal.
In Medic’s last outing opposite a fellow lefty in Geoff Neal, the 33-year-old Serb smartly stabbed Neal to the body with teeps accompanied by counter-balancing punches. And once Medic was able to stun Neal with a counter, “The Doctor” pounced on his proverbial patient with the levering left-handed assaults he’s known for.
Nevertheless, counter striking, in general, will be a potent two-way street that both fighters will have to navigate.
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez point of interest: Potential grappling threats
Although Medic and Rodriguez aren’t necessarily known for their grappling, both fighters have been forced to develop competency on the floor in order to compete at the UFC level.
Rodriguez, for example, is a long-time 10th Planet Jiu-jitsu purple belt under Eddie Bravo and has always had some solid front-choke threats in his back pocket. And though “D-Rod” debuted with a guillotine win over Tim Means, the 39-year-old smartly seems to be less reliant on leaning too heavily on it and looking to prioritize position and overall defense instead.
Rodriguez still struggles with adamant takedown attempts, but his defense – both in the open and against the fence – has steadily improved during his UFC tenure.
Whereas Medic, who started off his MMA career by successfully translating his leg dexterity into a couple of triangle choke wins, was eventually forced to treat the floor like it was hot lava.
Strong takedown threats still appear to be a problem for Medic, but he, akin to Rodriguez, has been steadily adding to his sprawling abilities and underhook awareness over recent years.
I don’t expect either fighter to grapple willingly or soberly, but I do give Rodriguez a slight edge if they do.
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez odds
The oddsmakers and the public strongly favor the Serbian fighter, listing Medic -400 and Rodriguez +300 via FanDuel.
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez prediction, pick
Although I’m not surprised to see the younger, more active fighter favored to win in this spot, the betting line above is way too wide for my liking.
Aside from the fact that potential glass cannons shouldn’t be favored 4-1 in volatile striking fights, Rodriguez has proven to be a deceptive underdog archetype since the first time he stepped foot inside the octagon.
Moreover, I believe that Rodriguez has the superior lead hand, which is a factor that tends to be a difference-maker in southpaw vs. southpaw fights. And not only does Rodriguez have a solid jab and lead, but he also ...
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