The UFC continues to hit the road, with a Fight Night card emanating from Belgrade, Serbia. Two strikers in the welterweight division face off when Uros Medic and Daniel Rodriguez attempt to move up in the rankings.
Medic opens as the betting favorite, with Rodriguez, who spent months in a Mexican prison before this fight, as the underdog. The latter last fought more than a year ago, while Medic has fought more frequently. Rodriguez attempts to prove he can defy the literal and figurative odds on fight night.
The card also features former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz, Navajo Stirling and the UFC debuts of Milos Janicic and Noah Gugnon. The card has the potential to have several fights end via knockout.
The Sporting News breaks down everything you need to know to bet on the UFC Fight Night (Belgrade, Serbia) card, including odds for each fight on the card, the most popular betting markets and best bets. Plus, new users can bet $5 on this card and get $150 in Bonus Bets instantly at DraftKings Sportsbook.
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UFC Fight Night odds for Aug. 1
The following odds are all courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez (Welterweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Uros Medic | -13.5 | O 1.5 (+150) | -375 |
| Daniel Rodriguez | +13.5 | U 1.5 (-195) | +295 |
Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez prediction
Medic lands 5.59 significant strikes per minute, with his last five fights not making it out of the first round. Rodriguez’s last four fights have gone to the third round. “D-Rod” lands 7.20 significant strikes. Many expect this to be a scrap to remember. Medic is one of the top strikers out there. Rodriguez was already handicapped heading into the fight, having spent eight months in a Mexican prison.
Best bet
Being malnourished, especially before a fight, is not ideal for anyone. One has to think Medic, with eleven wins via knockout, will go for his fourth straight win via the power punch. Rodriguez will try his best to land shots of his own, but it may not be enough.
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Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling (Light Heavyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Jan Blachowicz | +3.5 | O 2.5 (-215) | +250 |
| Navajo Stirling | -3.5 | U 2.5 (+165) | -310 |
Jan Blachowicz vs. Navajo Stirling prediction
Jan Blachowicz hasn’t won a fight since 2022, despite landing 3.55 significant strikes per minute. It’s been a while since he won light heavyweight gold. Meanwhile, Navajo Stirling has won six fights in the octagon, landing 6.24 significant strikes. He is susceptible to the takedown. However, Stirling has no issues with volume and stamina. Blachowicz needs an early knockout, or he can (and likely will) become another victim for Stirling.
Best bet
Youth, speed and athleticism make a Stirling win an easy pick. Blachowicz can still be dangerous, but the future has arrived.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Marcin Tybura (Heavyweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Aleksandar Rakic | -7.5 | O 1.5 (-220) | -355 |
| Marcin Tybura | +7.5 | U 1.5 (+170) | +280 |
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Marcin Tybura prediction
Aleksandar Rakic is on a four-fight losing streak, with three of those losses being via knockout, all against the elite within light heavyweight. He lands 4.13 significant strikes per minute. Tybura is 2-2 in his last four fights. He lands 3.56 significant strikes and averages 1.30 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. While the recent level of competition he’s faced hasn’t been the same, Tybura is still an impressive fighter. Tybura also has an edge, given that he’s a veteran at heavyweight.
Best bet
If Rakic comes into the fight out of shape, it could spell trouble for his cardio. Tybura isn’t a killer, but he still provides plenty of value within the division.
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Dusko Todorovic vs. Robert Valentin (Middleweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Dusko Todorovic | +7.5 | O 1.5 (+100) | +140 |
| Robert Valentin | -7.5 | U 1.5 (-130) | -166 |
Dusko Todorovic vs. Robert Valentin prediction
In his fourth fight in the octagon, Robert Valentin earned his first win, with the fight lasting one round. Dusko Todorovic lands 4.73 significant strikes and averages 1.77 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Known for his ground game, he could give Valentin trouble early in the fight. However, Todorovica absorbs 4.40 strikes, making him not hard to hit.
Best bet
Both fighters desperately need a win, so both may be desperate in this fight. Valentin and his superior gas tank may be the difference. If he plays it smart, he could be the last man standing.
Vlasto Cepo vs. Gilbert Urbina (Middleweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Vlasto Cepo | -7.5 | O 1.5 (+250) | -345 |
| Gilbert Urbina | +7.5 | U 1.5 (-345) | +275 |
Vlasto Cepo vs. Gilbert Urbina prediction
Vlasto Cepo makes his debut having won two straight. He’s an Oktagon veteran and an experienced boxer. Meanwhile, Gilbert Urbina has lost two straight. Going from welterweight to middleweight, Urbina lands 5.57 significant strikes per minute and averages 2.86 takedowns landed per 15 minutes. Cepo is a chaotic fighter. He seems to be hungrier for a win heading into his UFC debut.
Best bet
Urbina’s recent losses don’t help his cause. Cepo winning his UFC debut appears to be the only way this fight plays out.
Milos Janicic vs. Noah Gugnon (Lightweight)
| Fighter | Point spread | Total rounds | Moneyline |
| Milos Janicic | +3.5 | O 1.5 (-154) | -105 |
| Noah Gugnon | -3.5 | U 1.5 (+120) | -115 |
Milos Janicic vs. Noah Gugnon prediction
Both fighters are making their UFC debuts. Noah Gugnon is riding a five-fight win streak while competing for the likes of Bellator and Ares. Only one of those five wins has made it to the second round. Milos Janicic is on an eight-fight win streak but has not fought frequently in the cage, competing for Dirty Boxing. Gugnon appears to have an edge here as a result.
Best bet
Gugnon appears to be better within the clinch, making things uncomfortable for Janicic. Janicic has shown to be durable, so perhaps a hard-fought victory is the way to go for Gugnon.
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UFC Fight Night: Belgrade prelims
Here’s a rundown of the preliminary fights:
- Ludovit Klein vs. Tofiq Musayev; Lightweights
- Oban Elliott vs. Michael Oliveira; Welterweights
- Borislav Nikolic vs. Mark Vologdin; Bantamweights
- Dennis Buzukja vs. Bogdan Grad; Featherweights
- Mateusz Rebecki vs. Kyle Prepolec; Lightweights
- Nina Nikolija Milosevic vs. Hailey Cowan; Bantamweights
- Jovan Leka vs. Alexander Poppeck; Heavyweights
- Marina Spasic vs. Stephanie Luciano; Strawweights
How to bet on UFC Fight Night: Belgrade
Betting on the UFC Belgrade fight card is quite simple. First you need to choose a sportsbook to bet with. DraftKings, FanDuel, BetMGM, Caesars, bet365, theScore Bet and Fanatics all offer odds on the entire UFC Belgrade fight card.
1. Choose your sportsbook and claim your welcome bonus
Once you choose your sportsbook, you can claim a welcome bonus. First, you must sign up and enter all of your verification information such as your name, address, social security number and other details. Once your account is confirmed you can claim a welcome bonus from one of these sportsbooks below.
2. Learn the main MMA bet types
There are a variety of ways to bet on MMA, including several popular bet types. Moneylines allow users to pick an outright winner and profit if their fighter comes out victorious. Total round betting provides betters with the opportunity to call their own shot on how many round a fight will last. Prop betting has all the niche markets that an MMA bettor could ask for. To learn more about the variety of bet types, check out our full guide below.
3. Research
Successful MMA betting requires analyzing fighter statistics like strikes and takedowns, recent form, style matchups and training camps to identify value in odds. Key factors include researching a fighter’s opponent quality, whether or not ring rust (long layoffs) plays a factor and overinflated lines.
4. Place your bet
Pick the fighter that you like to win or the method of victory you like that fighter to win by, and enjoy the fights.
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