Aleksandar Rakić Explained

Aleksandar Rakić
Other Names:Rocket
Birth Date:6 February 1992
Birth Place:Vienna, Austria
Fighting Out Of:Vienna, Austria
Weight Lb:205
Weight Class:Light heavyweight
Reach:78 in[1] [2]
Rank:Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Pastuch[3]
Stance:Orthodox
Team:Gym 23
American Top Team[4]
Years Active:2005–2011 (kickboxing)[5]
2011–present (MMA)
Mma Kowin:9
Mma Subwin:1
Mma Decwin:4
Mma Koloss:2
Mma Subloss:1
Mma Decloss:1
Sherdog:86829

Aleksandar Rakić (born February 6, 1992) is an Austrian mixed martial artist. He currently competes in the Light Heavyweight division in the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[6] A professional since 2011, Rakić has also competed for the Final Fight Championship in Austria. As of August 1, 2023, he is #5 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[7]

Background

Rakić was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, into a Serb family.[8] As a child, he played football. However, he was aggressive up to a point where he was expelled from the team. Rakić started training in kickboxing and boxing when he was 12 years old, and had his first fight at 14. He accumulated over 40 fights by the time he was 20 years old, when he transitioned to mixed martial arts (MMA) for a new challenge. He worked at a hotel to support himself while training.[9] [10]

Mixed martial arts career

Early career

Rakić started his professional MMA career in 2011, competing primarily in the European circuit, and amassed a record of 8–1 before being signed by the UFC in March 2017.[11]

Ultimate Fighting Championship

Rakić made his UFC debut on September 2, 2017, against Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[13]

Rakić was expected to face Gadzhimurad Antigulov on February 24, 2018, at UFC on Fox 28.[14] However, it was reported on February 7, 2018, that Antigulov was pulled from the fight, citing injury, as a result, the bout was cancelled.[15]

His next fight came on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134 against Justin Ledet.[16] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[17]

Rakić faced Devin Clark on December 8, 2018, at UFC 231.[18] He won the fight by TKO in the first round.[19]

Rakić next faced Jimi Manuwa on June 1, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153.[20] He won the fight by knockout with a head kick in the opening minute of the fight.[21] The win also earned his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[22]

Rakić faced Volkan Oezdemir on December 21, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165[23] He lost the fight via split decision.[24] 7 out of 8 media members scored the fight for Rakić.[25]

On February 17, 2020, Rakić announced on his social media that he had signed a new, six-fight contract with the UFC.[26]

Rakić faced Anthony Smith on August 29, 2020, at UFC Fight Night 175.[27] He won the fight via unanimous decision.[28]

Rakić faced Thiago Santos on March 6, 2021, at UFC 259.[29] He won the fight via unanimous decision.

Rakić was scheduled to face former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz on March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33.[30] However, in late January, Błachowicz withdrew due to an injury[31] and the bout was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36 on May 14, 2022.[32] Rakić lost the fight via technical knockout in round three after being rendered unable to continue after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament.[33] He hurt his knee three weeks prior to the fight during sparring.[34]

After a nearly two year layoff, Rakić was set to make his return to face Jan Błachowicz in a rematch on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297.[35] However, Błachowicz withdrew due to shoulder surgery.[36] Rakić was then booked to instead face former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on April 13, 2024 at UFC 300.[37] Despite landing numerous leg kicks, Rakić lost the bout by technical knockout in the second round.[38]

Rakić is scheduled to face Magomed Ankalaev on October 26, 2024 at UFC 308.[39]

Championships and accomplishments

Mixed martial arts record

|-|Loss|align=center|14–4|Jiří Procházka|TKO (punches)|UFC 300||align=center|2|align=center|3:17|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|14–3|Jan Błachowicz |TKO (knee injury)|| |align=center|3|align=center|1:11|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|14–2|Thiago Santos|Decision (unanimous)|UFC 259||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Win|align=center|13–2|Anthony Smith|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Las Vegas, Nevada, United States||-|Loss|align=center|12–2|Volkan Oezdemir|Decision (split)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Busan, South Korea||-|Win|align=center|12–1|Jimi Manuwa|KO (head kick)|||align=center|1|align=center|0:42|Stockholm, Sweden||-|Win|align=center|11–1|Devin Clark|TKO (punches)|UFC 231||align=center|1|align=center|4:05|Toronto, Ontario, Canada||-|Win|align=center|10–1|Justin Ledet|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Hamburg, Germany||-|Win|align=center|9–1|Francimar Barroso|Decision (unanimous)|||align=center|3|align=center|5:00|Rotterdam, Netherlands||-|Win|align=center|8–1|Sergio Souza|TKO (punches)|Austrian Fight Challenge 5||align=center|1|align=center|N/A|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|7–1|Martin Batur|KO (punch)|Austrian Fight Challenge 1||align=center|1|align=center|0:26|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|6–1|Marcin Prachnio|TKO (punches)|Final Fight Championship 16||align=center|3|align=center|3:00|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|5–1|Norbert Péter|TKO (punches)|HG: Heimgala 2||align=center|1|align=center|4:57|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|4–1|Péter Rozmaring|Submission (north-south choke)|Vendetta: Rookies 2||align=center|1|align=center|1:32|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|3–1|Laszlo Czene|KO (head kick)|WFC: Challengers 3||align=center|1|align=center|N/A|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|2–1|Richard Longhimo|TKO (punches)|Iron Fist: Vendetta 3||align=center|2|align=center|4:30|Vienna, Austria||-|Win|align=center|1–1|Carsten Lorenz|TKO (punches)|New Talents 15||align=center|1|align=center|1:42|Erfurt, Germany||-|Loss|align=center|0–1|Christian Radke|Submission (guillotine choke)|Rock the Cage 2||align=center|1|align=center|4:34|Greifswald, Germany||-[41]

See also

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Stats UFC. 2021-03-07. ufcstats.com.
  2. Web site: Aleksandar Rakić. UFC. 14 September 2018. en. 28 November 2020.
  3. News: Aleksandar Rakić Promoted to Brown Belt after UFC 259 Win. Jiu-Jitsu Times. Kevin Bradley. March 6, 2021.
  4. Web site: Under the Radar at UFC Stockholm: Aleksandar Rakic. 2020-08-30. www.sportingnews.com. 28 May 2019 . en.
  5. Robbie Lawler and Aleksandar Rakic. Jim Norton. Matt Serra. August 24, 2020.
  6. Web site: 2018-09-14 . Aleksandar Rakić . 2023-11-07 . www.ufc.com . en.
  7. Web site: UFC Rankings, Division Rankings, P4P rankings, UFC Champions UFC.com . 2023-08-01 . www.ufc.com.
  8. Web site: "MOJA KRV JE SRPSKA" MMA fajter odlukom ODUŠEVIO, Rakić promenio zastavu i Srbija će imati prvog borca za UFC pojas. 2020-11-08. Blic.rs. sr.
  9. Web site: Aleksandar Rakic On Transition To MMA, UFC 231 Matchup vs. Devin Clark. www.flocombat.com. 23 November 2018 . en. 2018-12-08.
  10. Web site: Under the Radar at UFC 231: Aleksandar Rakic. 2018-12-05. Sporting News. 2018-12-08.
  11. Web site: Srpsko-austrijski borac Aleksandar Rakić potpisao za UFC. Fight Site. hr. 2018-12-08. 2019-06-03. https://web.archive.org/web/20190603195127/https://fightsite.hr/rubrike/vijesti-iz-regije/srpsko-austrijski-borac-aleksandar-rakic-potpisao-za-ufc/. dead.
  12. Web site: Four fights set for UFC Fight Night: Rotterdam Fightful MMA. www.fightful.com. en. 2018-12-08.
  13. Web site: UFC-Rotterdam results: Aleksandar Rakic dominates Francimar Barroso over 15 minutes. 2017-09-02. MMAjunkie. en. 2018-12-08.
  14. Web site: Gadzhimurad Antigulov treft Aleksandar Rakic tijdens UFC on FOX 28 in Orlando. DNA. MMA. mmadna.nl. en-US. 2017-12-08.
  15. Web site: Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Aleksandar Rakic geschrapt voor UFC Orlando. DNA. MMA. mmadna.nl. 7 February 2018. en-US. 2018-12-08.
  16. Web site: Justin Ledet vs. Aleksandar Rakic booked for UFC Hamburg. Carroll. Peter. 2018-05-03. MMA Fighting. 2018-12-08.
  17. Web site: UFC Fight Night 134 results: Aleksandar Rakic dominates Justin Ledet for lopsided decision. 2018-07-22. MMAjunkie. en. 2018-12-08.
  18. Web site: Devin Clark vs. Aleksandar Rakic announced for UFC 231. Lee. Alexander K.. 2018-09-04. MMA Fighting. 2018-12-08.
  19. Web site: Highlights! Rakic Finishes Clark Via Back Fist At UFC 231. Hiergesell. Dan. 2018-12-08. MMAmania.com. 2018-12-09.
  20. News: Jimi Manuwa vs. Aleksander Rakic added to UFC Stockholm. Tristen Critchfield. sherdog.com. 2019-03-25. 2019-03-25.
  21. Web site: UFC Stockholm Results! Rakic Disposes Of Manuwa In Just 47 Seconds. Richardson. Andrew. 2019-06-01. MMAmania.com. 2019-06-02.
  22. Web site: UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith, head-kicking Aleksandar Rakic among winners. Lee. Alexander K.. 2019-06-01. MMA Fighting. 2019-06-01.
  23. Web site: Light-Heavyweightclash tussen Volkan Oezdemir en Aleksandar Rakic tijdens UFC Busan. DNA. MMA. 20 September 2019. en-US. 2019-09-20.
  24. Web site: UFC Busan Results: Volkan Oezdemir On Right Side of Split Decision Against Aleksander Rakic. Doherty. Dan. 2019-12-21. Cageside Press. en-US. 2019-12-22.
  25. Web site: Volkan Oezdemir defeats Aleksandar Rakic . mmadecisions.com . 4 February 2021 . 9 February 2021 . https://web.archive.org/web/20210209014545/http://www.mmadecisions.com/decision/10794/Volkan-Oezdemir-vs-Aleksandar-Rakic . dead .
  26. Web site: Pleased to announce that I signed a new long term contract with 6 fights in the @ufc . This is the 3rd contract with the company in 2 years. Rocket Time . https://ghostarchive.org/iarchive/s/instagram/B8qGkrGAzWy . 2021-12-24 . limited. Aleksandar Rakić. February 17, 2020.
  27. Web site: Anthony Smith en Aleksandar Rakić treffen elkaar op 29 augustus. Redactie. 2020-06-19. mmadna.nl. en-nl. 2020-06-19.
  28. Web site: Evanoff. Josh. 2020-08-29. UFC Vegas 8 Results: Aleksandar Rakic Dominates Anthony Smith. 2020-08-30. Cageside Press. en-US.
  29. Web site: Murray. Doug. 2020-11-13. UFC: Thiago Santos vs. Aleksandar Rakic Added to March 6 Card. 2020-11-14. Cageside Press. en-US.
  30. Web site: DNA. MMA. 2021-12-01. Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic is het Main Event tijdens UFC evenement op 26 maart. 2021-12-01. MMA DNA. en-US.
  31. Web site: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic scratched from UFC Columbus. mmafighting.com. Steven Marrocco. 2021-01-27. 2021-01-27.
  32. Web site: 2022-03-27 . UFC Blachowicz vs. Rakic main event booked again, this time for May 14th. Marcel Dorff . 2022-03-28 . Eurosport . nl.
  33. Web site: Doherty . Dan . 2022-05-15 . UFC Vegas 54: Aleksandar Rakic Injures Knee, Falls to Jan Blachowicz . 2022-05-15 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  34. Web site: Aleksandar Rakic anxious to return for 'unfinished business' with Jan Blachowicz, explains knee injury suffered before fight . 2022-05-30 . www.mmafighting.com . 18 May 2022 . en.
  35. Web site: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic 2 officially booked for UFC 297 in Toronto . mmajunkie.usatoday.com . 12 November 2023 . en-US.
  36. Web site: Jan Blachowicz announces surgery, issues emotional statement on UFC 297 withdrawal. MMA Junkie. Nolan King. 2023-12-07. 2023-12-07.
  37. Web site: Dana White announces several new fights including three for UFC 300. bjpenn.com. Cole Shelton. 2023-12-21. 2023-12-21.
  38. Web site: Anderson . Jay . 2024-04-14 . UFC 300: Jiri Prochazka Batters Aleksandar Rakic, Calls for Title Shot . 2024-04-14 . Cageside Press . en-US.
  39. Web site: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic sneaks its way into jam-packed UFC 308 lineup. mmajunkie.usatoday.com. MMA Junkie Staff. 2024-08-03. 2024-08-03.
  40. Web site: UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith's main event submission leads $50K winners. 2019-06-01. MMAmania. en. 2019-06-01.
  41. Web site: Sherdog.com. Aleksandar. 2021-03-07. Sherdog.

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