who knocked Geoff Neal out in quick and devastating fashion<\/a> in the evening\u2019s co-main event.<\/p>\nMedic was in control from the start, coming out of the gate with forward pressure while trying to back Neal up and dictate the fight early on. And all Medic needed was 79 seconds to connect with a left hand that dropped Neal, head smacking on the mat, out cold.<\/p>\n
Taking on Neal, who was ranked No. 12 entering the fight, and winning in that devastating fashion makes this the most important win of Medic\u2019s career so far. And he\u2019s shown his growth since coming into the UFC off a 2020 win on Dana White\u2019s Contender Series.<\/p>\n
Medic originally dropped to lightweight to start his UFC run, and, as noted on the broadcast, in retrospect, it\u2019s amazing how the 6\u20191\u201d Serbian was able to drop to and compete at 155.<\/p>\n
He moved up to welterweight in 2023, and while his run there started just 2-2, he\u2019s now won three straight. And this is now three straight victories in the first round, following up on finishes of Gilbert Urbina and Muslik Salikhov in 2025.<\/p>\n
The certainty of Medic\u2019s success in the welterweight division isn\u2019t too certain. While Medic\u2019s stock is on the rise, Neal\u2019s has been falling. This is now Neal\u2019s fourth loss in his last five fights and his sixth loss in his last nine. It\u2019s also his second straight fight losing via a harsh-looking, first-round knockout; this was his first fight since the knockout he suffered at the hands of Carlos Prates at UFC 319. Neal\u2019s time in the rankings is certainly done, and now he might be fighting for his UFC future.<\/p>\n
But the highlight knockout and the post-fight bonus money wasn\u2019t all.<\/p>\n
If a fighter is looking to make a statement with a post-fight promo, but not go over the top, Medic nailed the kind of verbiage you can look for. Making a \u201cHouston we have a problem\u201d reference and referring to himself as the problem of the welterweight division was perfect. Additionally, his callout of former welterweight champion Leon Edwards was bold, but a solid play with the momentum he\u2019s got.<\/p>\n
Medic even used his time to appeal to U.S. President Donald Trump \u2013 not about competing on the UFC White House card, but to ask for his assistance in trying to get home to Serbia.<\/p>\n
And guess what? It worked. Backstage, Medic got to speak to President Trump, who helped to ensure Medic could return to his family in Serbia without restriction, eliminating travel difficulties.<\/p>\n
To get the biggest win of your career, a spectacular highlight knockout, cut a solid post-fight promo, get $100,000 extra with a bonus, rub elbows (over the phone) with the U.S. President, and the President helps you back home to your family?<\/p>\n
Yeah, that\u2019s got to be one of the best nights of Medic\u2019s life. Hats off to \u201cThe Doctor\u201d and bright hopes for his next UFC outing.<\/p>\n<\/p><\/div>\n
\n
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