5 Defining Moments: Dusko Todorovic

Dusko Todorovic’s coveted spot on the Ultimate Fighting Championship roster has grown undeniably tenuous.

“Thunder” will set out in search of his first win in well over two years when he confronts Zachary Reese in a UFC on ESPN 68 middleweight appetizer this Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Todorovic, 31, enters the Octagon with losses in five of his past seven appearances. The Kotor, Montenegro, native last recorded a victory at UFC Fight Night 212, where he buried Jordan Wright with second-round punches and elbows on Oct. 15, 2022.

As Todorovic moves ever closer to his showdown with Reese at 185 pounds, a look at five of the many moments that have come to define him:

1. Top of the Heap

Todorovic captured the vacant Serbian Battle Championship title crown when he disposed of Michel Pereira with punches in the first-round of their SBC 19 co-feature on Dec. 1, 2018 at Velika Hala Spensa in Novi Sad, Serbia. The end came 4:32 into Round 1. Todorovic hunted from the center of the cage while his opponent circled and occasionally stepped forward with overhand rights or close-quarters 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.

2. Pen to Paper

A crushing clinch game, superb head movement and a stout chin carried Todorovic to a unanimous decision over Unified MMA champion Teddy Ash during Week 10 of Dana White’s Contender Series on Aug. 27, 2019 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Scores were 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28. Ash made the Serbian prospect earn the ground he gained. He appeared to have Todorovic reeling on more than one occasion with multi-punch combinations but too often failed to successfully manage distance. Ash wandered into the clinch repeatedly and found himself pinned to the fence while absorbing punches and elbows. By the time it was over, Todorovic had opened a gash on the Canadian’s right cheek and another cut above his right eye. It was enough to earn him a UFC contract.

3. No Punches Pulled

The brick-fisted Punahele Soriano dismissed Todorovic with punches in the first round of their UFC on ABC 1 middleweight attraction on Jan. 16, 2021 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Referee Mark Smith waved it off 4:48 into Round 1. Soriano stepped on the accelerator from the start, pressured the previously unbeaten Serb backward and let his hands do the rest. A devastating overhand left snapped back Todorovic’s head during one of their initial exchanges and set the stage for what was to come. Soriano registered 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.

4. Closed Out

Former Tachi Palace Fights titleholder Chidi Njokuani brought down Todorovic with an elbow strike in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 206 middleweight showcase on May 21, 2022 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Njokuani slammed the door shut 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.

5. Balance of Power

MMA Masters prospect Mansur Abdul-Malik kept his perfect professional record intact with a sensational Octagon debut when he put away Todorovic with a knee strike and follow-up punches in the first round of their UFC Fight Night 247 middleweight feature on Nov. 9, 2024 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It concluded 2:44 into Round 1. Abdul-Malik was the aggressor from the outset. He drove Todorovic to the canvas during one of their early exchanges and blasted him with a standing-to-ground right hand, then unloaded with punches and hammerfists while defending a series of leg locks. Todorovic eventually made his way back to his feet in a compromised state, sporting visible damage across his forehead. Abdul-Malik maintained his pressure and floored the ex-Serbian Battle Championship titleholder with a clean knee from the clinch. More punches and hammerfists followed, resulting in the stoppage.