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Gilbert Urbina met the media Saturday after his win over Vlasto Cepo at UFC Fight Night 283.
Urbina (8-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) pulled off the event's biggest upset when he knocked out near 4-1 favorite — and Serbian fan favorite – Cepo (14-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on the main card at Belgrade Arena in Serbia.
Urbina, the runner-up on Season 29 of "The Ultimate Fighter," had back-to-back first-round knockout losses at welterweight in 2024 and 2025. The latter, in fact, came against UFC Belgrade main event winner Uros Medic.
But for this one, he moved up to middleweight – and it paid off with a $100,000 bonus check for the upset.
"A new and improved Gil at middleweight – I'm blessed," Urbina told the UFC after the fight. "I'm excited to continue to fight hard and show the UFC I'm not only here to stay, but bring another belt home to my great coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.
"… The guys out in Vegas, maybe even the guy with the title (Sean Strickland), knows how great Gilbert Urbina can be. (I want) something soon. … I believe (Noche UFC) would be a great time to showcase my love (for Mexico)."
Check out Urbina's post-fight interview in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Refreshed at middleweight, Gilbert Urbina stumps for spot on Noche UFC
Continue reading...
Urbina (8-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) pulled off the event's biggest upset when he knocked out near 4-1 favorite — and Serbian fan favorite – Cepo (14-4 MMA, 1-1 UFC) on the main card at Belgrade Arena in Serbia.
Urbina, the runner-up on Season 29 of "The Ultimate Fighter," had back-to-back first-round knockout losses at welterweight in 2024 and 2025. The latter, in fact, came against UFC Belgrade main event winner Uros Medic.
But for this one, he moved up to middleweight – and it paid off with a $100,000 bonus check for the upset.
"I knew that I had to sacrifice something to chase something greater."
Gilbert Urbina (@GUrbinaMMA) returned to competition for the first time in a year full of confidence which led to his win at #UFCBelgrade
Main Card Resultshttps://t.co/4EZGgXm4d7pic.twitter.com/NgL2FKR1CR
— UFC News (@UFCNews) August 1, 2026
"A new and improved Gil at middleweight – I'm blessed," Urbina told the UFC after the fight. "I'm excited to continue to fight hard and show the UFC I'm not only here to stay, but bring another belt home to my great coaches Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn.
"… The guys out in Vegas, maybe even the guy with the title (Sean Strickland), knows how great Gilbert Urbina can be. (I want) something soon. … I believe (Noche UFC) would be a great time to showcase my love (for Mexico)."
Check out Urbina's post-fight interview in the video above.
This article originally appeared on MMA Junkie: Refreshed at middleweight, Gilbert Urbina stumps for spot on Noche UFC
Continue reading...
