Rivalries: Dusko Todorovic

Dusko Todorovic maintains a precarious hold on an Ultimate Fighting Championship roster spot ahead of his latest test in the not-for-the-faint-of-heart middleweight division.

The Secutor MMA rep finds himself in the crosshairs of a highly regarded prospect, as he prepares to face the unbeaten Mansur Abdul-Malik in a featured UFC Vegas 100 attraction this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Todorovic, 30, has lost four of his past six bouts after starting his career a perfect 10-0. He not competed since he suffered a fight-ending knee injury in a technical knockout defeat to Christian Leroy Duncan on March 18, 2023—more than 600 days ago.

As Todorovic approaches his forthcoming clash with Abdul-Malik at 185 pounds, a look at a few of the rivalries that have helped chart his course to this point:

Michel Pereira

Todorovic laid claim to the vacant Serbian Battle Championship middleweight crown when he took out the flashy Brazilian with punches in the first round of their SBC 19 co-feature on Dec. 1, 2018 at Velika Hala Spensa in Novi Sad, Serbia. Pereira succumbed to blows 4:32 into Round 1. Todorovic stalked from the center of the cage while his opponent circled and occasionally stepped forward with overhand rights or close-range knee strikes. Late in the first round, he flurried on Pereira and forced him to backpedal into the fence. A clean left hook from Todorovic folded “Demolidor” at the base of the cage and rendered him incapable of shielding himself from follow-up attacks. More punches followed, resulting in the first knockout loss of Pereira’s career.

Punahele Soriano

The Dana White’s Contender Series graduate put away Todorovic with punches in the first round of their UFC on ABC 1 middleweight showcase on Jan. 16, 2021 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The end came 4:48 into Round 1. Soriano hit the accelerator at the start, pressured the previously unbeaten Serb backward and let his hands do the rest. A crushing overhand left snapped back Todorovic’s head during one of their initial exchanges and set the stage for what was to come. Soriano recorded multiple knockdowns and had his opponent teetering on the brink more than once before one final left to the head dropped Todorovic to his knees and prompted the stoppage.

Chidi Njokuani

The former Tachi Palace Fights titleholder cut down Todorovic with an elbow strike in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 206 middleweight attraction on May 21, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Njokuani drew the curtain 4:48 into Round 1. Todorovic escaped from an early brabo choke attempt, scrambled to his opponent’s back and appeared to be in control of the situation. However, Njokuani managed to get to his feet, where an intense clinch battle ensued. He answered a few right hands from Todorovic with a series of knee strikes to the body. With time ticking away, Njokuani created some space and connected with a vicious elbow to the side of the head. Todorovic collapsed where he stood, bringing their confrontation to a sudden but spectacular conclusion.

Jordan Wright

Todorovic disposed of “The Beverly Hills Ninja” with punches and elbows in the second round of their UFC Fight Night 212 middleweight feature on Oct. 15, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Wright checked out 3:12 into Round 2, though he did receive a $50,000 “Fight of the Night” bonus for his troubles. Todorovic conceded three takedowns in the first round and absorbed a significant amount of damage via ground-and-pound, all while being forced to defend himself against his counterpart’s hyperactive submission game. However, Wright bled his gas tank dry in a haste to finish and had little left to offer in the middle stanza. Todorovic capitalized. He staggered Wright standing, powered into full mount and unleashed a barrage of unanswered elbows and punched that forced referee Chris Tognoni to wave it off.