UFC News & FeaturesWelterweights
Matthew Semelsberger (11-5, 5-3 UFC) vs. Uros Medic (8-1, 2-1 UFC)ODDS: Semelsberger (-205), Medic (+175)
Semelsberger was a bit off the radar as a UFC signing in 2020, but he has done well to figure things out on the job over the last few years. “Semi The Jedi” read as a physical standout in need of a more focused approach on the regional scene, and three years later, that is essentially the same overall read, though the Marylander is much better at making his big moments count. Two of Semelsberger’s five wins in the UFC thus far have come in under 20 seconds. Add in that Semelsberger has proven durable in tough fights when given a step up in competition—he even did enough to score a win over Jake Matthews in 2022—and there is a sense that once everything clicks, he will be able to make a charge in the welterweight division. Maybe that breakout will start against Medic, who moves up to 170 pounds in a short-notice spot after a UFC career spent at lightweight. Medic had nothing but questions to answer coming into his 2020 fight on Dana White’s Contender Series. A massive lightweight, “The Doctor” had done nothing but crush overmatched opposition on the subpar Alaskan scene and did not even look particularly excellent in doing so. However, the move up to better competition did not temper Medic’s aggression, and he has proven to be a potent and durable fighter, even as the UFC continued to match him against the other tallest lightweights in the division. A 2021 loss to Jalin Turner looks much better in hindsight, and a bounce-back win over a year ago against Omar Morales was a promising sign, as Medic looked much less reckless while still finding the finish with his typically aggressive style. Medic could swamp Semelsberger with volume, but in a fight between two men focused on their offense, there figures to be some brutal exchanges that the latter should get the better of as both the harder one-shot hitter and the much more durable fighter. The pick is Semelsberger via first-round knockout in an entertaining sprint.
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