“The Doctor” steps in for Yohan Lainesse in a matchup opposite Matthew Semelsberger on Saturday, venturing to welterweight for the first time in his UFC career.
Medic began his career with a win at middleweight before dropping down to 170 pounds and rattling off four additional stoppage victories, earning a call to compete on Season Four of Dana White’s Contender Series as a result. He moved to lightweight for that contest, stopped Mikey Gonzalez in just over two minutes, and earned himself a UFC contract, staying at 155 pounds as he embarked on his career inside the Octagon.
The Serbian fighter went 2-1 in his first three UFC appearances, earning a quick win over Aalon Cruz before getting submitted by Jalin Turner, and then rebounding with a second-round finish of Omar Morales. That bout took place over a year ago, with Medic being forced out of an October bout with Mike Davis due to a hand injury.
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Standing six-foot-one, Medic is physically well-suited for the welterweight division, bringing a strong frame and diverse striking attack into this weekend’s pairing with Semelsberger. He’s a dexterous kicker with proven finishing power and good instincts in that department, having earned each of his eight career wins inside the distance.
This weekend’s contest will be an exceptional measuring stick moment for the 30-year-old Kings MMA representative, as Semelsberger is a plus athlete with devastating power, but still in the developmental phase of things in terms of putting his considerable weapons to best use and making wise decisions inside the Octagon. While he’s registered two finishes in less than 20 seconds, he’s also dropped decisions to more polished, more tactical opponents.
If this was a fully planned move to welterweight, it’ll be interesting to see how Medic performs, as it will be a harbinger of how things may go in the future. But even if this is an impromptu decision, it should still be a firecracker of a matchup with the potential to illustrate the skills the DWCS grad brings to the Octagon and the upside he possesses.
