Tag: Aleksandar Rakic

UFC 308 Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay: Ilia Topuria’s $42,000 leads card

Ilia Topuria and Max Holloway combined for $74,000 of the Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay for UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – Fighters from Saturday’s UFC 308 event took home UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance pay totaling $252,000.

The program, a comprehensive plan that includes outfitting requirements, media obligations and other items under the fighter code of conduct, replaces the previous payments made under the UFC Athlete Outfitting Policy.

UFC 308 took place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island. The main card aired on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN+

The full UFC 308 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts included:

* * * *

[autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag]: $42,000
def. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag]: $32,000

[autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag]: $16,000

[autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Ibo Aslan[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Rafael Cerqueira[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Geoff Neal[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Rafael dos Anjos[/autotag]: $21,000

[autotag]Mateusz Rebecki[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Myktybek Orolbai[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Abus Magomedov[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Brunno Ferreira[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Kennedy Nzechukwu[/autotag]: $11,000
def. [autotag]Chris Barnett[/autotag]: $4,500

[autotag]Farid Basharat[/autotag]: $4,500
def. [autotag]Victor Hugo[/autotag]: $4,000

[autotag]Ismail Naurdiev[/autotag]: $4,000
def. [autotag]Bruno Silva[/autotag]: $6,000

[autotag]Rinat Fakhretdinov[/autotag]: $6,000
def. [autotag]Carlos Leal[/autotag]: $4,000

Under the UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance program’s payout tiers, which appropriate the money generated by Venum’s multi-year sponsorship with the UFC, fighters are paid based on their total number of UFC bouts, as well as Zuffa-era WEC fights (January 2007 and later) and Zuffa-era Strikeforce bouts (April 2011 and later). Fighters with 1-3 bouts receive $4,000 per appearance; 4-5 bouts get $4,500; 6-10 bouts get $6,000; 11-15 bouts earn $11,000; 16-20 bouts pocket $16,000; and 21 bouts and more get $21,000. Additionally, champions earn $42,000 while title challengers get $32,000.

In addition to experience-based pay, UFC fighters will receive in perpetuity royalty payments amounting to 20-30 percent of any UFC merchandise sold that bears their likeness, according to officials.

Full 2024 UFC Promotional Guidelines Compliance payouts:

Year-to-date total: $6,896,000
2023 total: $8,188,000
2022 total: $8,351,500
2021 total: $6,167,500
Program-to-date total: $29,633,000

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 results: Magomed Ankalaev calls out Alex Pereira after outpointing Aleksandar Rakic

At UFC 308, Magomed Ankalaev grabbed the microphone and told Alex Pereira to “stop running away.”

ABU DHABI – Alex Pereira might have his next title challenger.

At UFC 308, [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] added another victory to a resume viewed by many to already be title shot-worthy when he defeated [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28). The light heavyweight bout took place on the main card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island.

As he referenced in the lead up to the bout, Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) didn’t feel he needed a finish in order to earn a championship crack. During Saturday’s fight he utilized all 15 minutes to find victory.

It was a classic Ankalaev performance full of technical striking, kicks, and clinch work. The gap between him and Rakic (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) wasn’t large, but it was evident and consistent.

After the fight, Ankalaev pointed to Rakic for the lack of action in the bout and voiced his opinion that Rakic was the one evading exchanges.

“I think I’ve done everything to earn the title shot,” Anakalaev said. “I’d like to talk to Alex. I’d like to tell him stop running away from me. We should fight. That’s what everybody wants to see.”

[lawrence-related id=2781825,2781991]

Ankalaev has not lost in 13 fights since his UFC debut in March 2018. Many fans and media members predicted Ankalaev would be Pereira’s most recent title challenge, but the promotion elected to go with Khalil Rountree instead.

Entering the fight, Ankalaev said the UFC told him a title shot would come with victory, though UFC CEO Dana White has yet to publicly confirm that.

In defeat, Rakic falls into a three-fight skid. He entered the bout off TKO losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka.

Up-to-the-minute UFC 308 results include:

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308: Best photos from Abu Dhabi

Check out the best photos from Magomed Ankalaev’s win over Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi.

Check out the best photos from [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag]’s unanimous decision win over [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. (Photos by Craig Kidwell, special to MMA Junkie; MMA Junkie; UFC)

UFC 308: Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic odds, picks and predictions

Analyzing Saturday’s UFC 308 odds between Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic, with MMA picks and predictions.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4141″ ]

In a 3-round light heavyweight bout on the main card, Magomed Ankalaev and Aleksandar Rakic meet Saturday at UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. Let’s analyze BetMGM Sportsbook’s UFC odds around the UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic odds, and make our expert picks and predictions.

The prelims begin at 10 a.m. ET on ESPN+, and the main card begins at 2 p.m. ET on pay-per-view.

Records: Ankalaev (19-1-1) | Rakic (14-4-0)

Ankalaev picked up a 2nd-round KO/TKO against Johnny Walker last time out in the main event in mid-January, rebounding from a 1st-round no contest in late Oct. 2023. Prior to that, he fought to a draw at UFC 282 against Jan Blachowicz in Dec. 2022 in a title fight.

Rakic has dropped the past 2 fights, both via KO/TKO, against Jiri Prochazka and Jan Blachowicz. He also has a losing record, going 2-3 in the past 5 fights.

Rakic enters the octagon with a 3-inch reach advantage, while also posting a 4.26-to-3.64 significant strikes landed per minute lead. The significant strikes accuracy percentage is nearly identical, with Rakic holding a slight lead at 63.74% to 63.20% for Ankalaev.

The Russian fighter has a slight 1.02-to-0.76 takedown average advantage, while posting a 31.25% takedown accuracy percentage.

Watch this card with ESPN+ by signing up here.

UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic odds

Provided by BetMGM Sportsbook; access USA TODAY Sports Scores and Sports Betting Odds hub for a full list of UFC odds. Lines last updated at 10:25 a.m. ET.

  • Fight result (2-way line): Ankalaev -400 (bet $400 to win $100) | Rakic +300 (bet $100 to win $300)
  • Will the fight go the distance? (Yes -160 | No +115)

[gambcom-standard rankid=”4132″ ]

UFC 308: Ankalaev vs. Rakic picks and predictions

Fight result (2-way line or moneyline)

Ankalaev (-400) will cost you 4 times your potential return if you bet the favorite on the 2-way moneyline. That’s way too much risk for not nearly enough return.

Instead, let’s get a little more specific. The Russian fighter is a punching machine and knockout specialist. He has won 5 of his past 10 fights via KO/TKO, with only 1 of those KOs making it to Round 3. As such, ANKALAEV BY KO/TKO, DQ OR SUBMISSION (+200) is a strong play on the 5-way line. You could play Ankalaev by KO/TKO or DQ (+225) on the 7-way line, but why not add the submission for a small price?

Over/Under (O/U)

NO: FIGHT TO GO THE DISTANCE (+115) is worth a look at plus-money.

Ankalaev has managed to go the distance in just 5 of his 13 fights at the UFC level. On the flip side, Rakic has had just 3 fights go the distance in 7 bouts since Dec. 8, 2018. Ankalaev is trying to get back into the title picture, so he’ll be letting the big punches fly early and often.

Visit MMA Junkie for more fight news and analysis.

[gambcom-standard rankid=”6305″ ]

For more sports betting picks and tips, check out SportsbookWire.com and BetFTW.

Follow Kevin J. Erickson on Twitter/X. Follow SportsbookWire on Twitter/X and us on Facebook.

[lawrence-newsletter]

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=2559]

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic prediction, pick, start time, odds for UFC 308

Magomed Ankalaev should already be fighting for the light heavyweight title. Will he prove why against Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 308?

[autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] and [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] meet Saturday on the main card of UFC 308 at Etihad Arena in Las Vegas. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom. 

Last event: 2-4
UFC main cards, 2024: 89-81-3

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic UFC 308 preview

Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) was on a nine-fight winning streak before a pair of odd results in back-to-back fights – first a draw with Jan Blachowicz for the then-vacant light heavyweight title in December 2022 followed by a no contest against Johnny Walker because of an accidental illegal knee in October 2023. But Ankalaev got back on track in emphatic fashion this past January when he knocked out Walker in their rematch. Now he’s out to prove he’s the rightful No. 1 contender at 205 pounds. … Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) enters the bout reeling from back-to-back stoppage losses against Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka. A serious knee injury in the Blachowicz fight kept Rakic out of action for more than two years.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic expert pick, prediction

I’m not sure what’s worse: Anakalaev getting skipped over for another title shot or Rakic being booked with the division’s top contender after two consecutive losses and an injury layoff?

Either way, there is some questionable matchmaking under the top two fights of this event.

Rakic is technically 1-0 opposite UFC-level southpaws, beating Marcin Prachnio back on the regional scene. However, it’s difficult to tell what version of Rakic we’ll get given how long it’s been since we’ve seen a dominant performance from the Austrian fighter.

Couple that with the fact that Ankalaev’s wrestling savvy and southpaw stance may limit Rakic’s leg kicks and takedowns, and I can’t help but side with the Russian favorite to roll in this spot.

I like Rakic and wouldn’t mind being wrong, but the pick is for Ankalaev to take a competitive but clear unanimous decision.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic odds

The oddsmakers and the public are favoring the Stipe Miocic doppelganger, listing Ankalaev -385 and Rakic +290 via FanDuel.

Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Rakic start time, how to watch

As the featured bout, Ankalaev and Rakic are expected to walk out to the cage at approximately 3:15 p.m. ET (12:15 p.m. PT). The fight will stream on ESPN+ pay-per-view.

[lawrence-related id=2780890,2780743,2765520]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

UFC 308 full press conference faceoffs video: Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, more

The entire UFC 308 main card, including Robert Whittaker vs. Khamzat Chimaev, faced off at the pre-fight press conference in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – The stars of UFC 308 main card athletes came face to face for the first time during fight week following Thursday’s pre-fight press conference.

With fight week festivities rolling on, the athletes for the card took the stage to answers questions from the media, then engaged in staredowns ahead of Saturday’s event, which takes place at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).

In addition to the [autotag]Ilia Topuria[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Max Holloway[/autotag] featherweight championship main event, the anticipated five-round middleweight co-headliner of [autotag]Robert Whittaker[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Khamzat Chimaev[/autotag], as well as main card bouts of [autotag]Lerone Murphy[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Dan Ige[/autotag], [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] and [autotag]Shara Magomedov[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Armen Petrosyan[/autotag] also were in attendance and participated in faceoffs.

Watch the video above to see the full pre-fight press conference faceoffs ahead of UFC 308.

[lawrence-related id=2781062,2780909,2780900,2780973]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Magomed Ankalaev: I was ‘pretty much told’ UFC 308 win will secure title shot

Magomed Ankalaev says a UFC showdown vs. Alex Pereira will occur if he wins Saturday in Abu Dhabi.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] is confident what’s at stake for him Saturday at UFC 308.

At Etihad Arena on Yas Island, Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) takes on [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) in a fight he says will guarantee him a title shot with a victory.

“It’s up to the UFC (what’s next),” Ankalaev told MMA Junkie and other reporters Wednesday. “I was pretty much told that, with this win, I’m next in line for the title. That’s what I hope is going to happen. But if, for some reason, I don’t get the title shot, and somebody else is put in front of me, then I’m going to have to get there, and I’m going to have to crush that person in order to get to the title shot.”

Ankalaev, 32, is a fighter many followers of the UFC thought should’ve been the most recent challenge for light heavyweight titleholder Alex Pereira. However, the promotion elected to book Pereira vs. Khalil Rountree, whom he defeated by fourth-round knockout Oct. 5 at UFC 307.

With the narrative largely revolving around Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC), Ankalaev is sick of talking about the champion.

“To be honest, I don’t want to keep talking about Pereira, but people keep asking me questions about Pereira,” Ankalaev said. “If they ask me, then I have to answer. But really I’m focused on my fight. I’m worried about the opponent in front of me. I’m out there. I’m looking to win, something like that.”

If the two eventually face off, Ankalaev sees a clear difference in one skill set category that would set him apart from Pereira.

“It’s not like he’s that tough, but the fact is he is well rounded,” Ankalaev said. “He does have striking. He does have the ground game. When it comes to the champion, he just has the strikes and we know those strikes. We haven’t seen him wrestle ever.”

Ankalaev indicated he’ll be seeking a finish against Rakic, but said he doesn’t think his potential title shot will be contingent on whether the fight goes 15 seconds or 15 minutes.

“It wasn’t a condition that it was a finish and a title (shot),” Anakalev said. “I was just told by Dana that it has to be a good fight. I have to show myself well, and then I’ll get a title shot.”

[lawrence-related id=2780909,2780889]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Aleksandar Rakic before UFC 308: Magomed Ankalaev ‘stylistically a better matchup’ than Jiri Prochazka

Aleksandar Rakic relishes the opportunity to fight Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] relishes the opportunity to fight [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag].

Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) takes on Ankalaev (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) on Saturday’s UFC 308 main card at Etihad Arena (pay-per-view, ESPN+).

Rakic is aware of what’s at stake with a win. Many think Ankalaev is the rightful No. 1 contender who was passed up by Khalil Rountree for a shot at light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira at UFC 307.

“What makes me really happy is that the UFC gave me Ankalaev, and I honestly believe that if I didn’t put a good fight at UFC 300 – it doesn’t matter the result, I would never get that fight,” Rakic told MMA Junkie and other reporters at Wednesday’s UFC 308 media day.

“When I got the fight against Ankalaev, the name, I immediately said yes because he’s No. 2 ranked behind Jiri Prochazka, who lost twice to Pereira, so this is the best matchup for me. Stylistically it’s going to be a better matchup for me than Jiri Prochazka.”

Although Rakic is coming off back-to-back losses to Jan Blachowicz and Jiri Prochazka, Chael Sonnen thinks Rakic is a dangerous fight for Ankalaev. According to DraftKings, Rakic is a +285 underdog, and the 32-year-old is ready to play spoiler.

“It’s time to remind the fans, the people, and the UFC who ‘The Rocket’ is back in the days,” Rakic said. “I’m ready to crash the party on Saturday and to mix things up.”

[lawrence-related id=2780743,2767305,2765520]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Aleksandar Rakic aims to ‘crash the party’ at UFC 308, steal Magomed Ankalaev’s title shot

Aleksandar Rakic sees his UFC 308 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev as a prime opportunity to shake up the light heavyweight title picture.

ABU DHABI – [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] sees his UFC 308 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev as a prime opportunity to shake up the light heavyweight title picture.

Given his 12-fight unbeaten streak in the division, many expected Ankalaev’s (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) next fight be a shot at reigning 205-pound champ Alex Pereira. It didn’t happen, though, and the promotion instead booked him against Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Arena on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).

UFC CEO Dana White has said that Ankalaev will get his title shot if he wins in solid fashion. But Rakic has other plans.

“I was happy,” Rakic told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “UFC gives me the opportunity to fight against the No. 2-ranked guy, against Ankalaev, and he was supposed to fight. There were rumors,he was supposed to fight Pereira. But when I got the name, I immediately said yes. You know why? Because I think I put a good show at UFC 300 against Jiri Prochazka, and that’s the reason they chose me to fight Ankalaev.

“I take this chance really serious. I’ve been working hard for this one. On social media, I was seeing everything going back and forth with Ankalaev and Pereira. I didn’t want to say anything. My main focus was to train hard, to get ready for Ankalaev, to be 100 percent focused for him, and just to do a show on Saturday and crash the party.”

Ankalaev has spent most of the build to UFC 308 taking shots at Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) online and in interviews. Rakic said he hopes his opponent “underestimates” him going into the octagon this weekend but doesn’t think that’s going to be the case.

Rakic, 32, is expecting the best version of Ankalaev, 32, when they step in the cage. That would only elevate the value of a victory.

“He’s the most well rounded guy in the division besides me,” Rakic said. “I’m expecting an MMA fight. I think he will try to strike, he will try to grapple and wrestle. But I did my homework. I have been through hell the last weeks, and I did everything to have an answer to everything Ankalaev can bring.”

Rakic said he’s not looking past UFC 308 but is no doubt keen on the idea of getting his shot at Pereira. “Poatan” has run through most of the division’s top contenders already despite being champion for less than a year, and Rakic would represent a fresh face to fight for gold.

“He did great things in the light heavyweight division,” Rakic said. “He’s the most active champion we have right now in the UFC. He beat some really good names. I think the most important thing with Alex is to mix it up. Of course, everyone says, ‘Go wrestle him. Go grapple him.’ But, of course, he trains wrestling and grappling, as well, and he knows some defense and how to defend a takedown. It would not be so easy like the people would be thinking it would be.

“He has great kickboxing, but it’s all about the details. We are in the top five. He is the champion. We are all very good fighters, and there is no better league than UFC and no better fighters than the UFC has. So with Alex, you need to be conditioned and very ready and you need to mix things up.”

[lawrence-related id=2780560,2780654,2780650]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.

Chael Sonnen: Aleksandar Rakic ‘is that damn good,’ can’t be counted out vs. Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308

Chael Sonnen warns everyone not to discredit Aleksandar Rakic against Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308.

[autotag]Chael Sonnen[/autotag] is warning everyone not to discredit [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag].

Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) takes on streaking top contender [autotag]Magomed Ankalaev[/autotag] (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) in a pivotal light heavyweight clash Oct. 26 at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi.

Ankalaev was passed up for a title shot after the promotion paired light heavyweight champion Alex Pereira (11-2 MMA, 8-1 UFC) with Khalil Rountree (13-5 MMA, 9-5 UFC) in the UFC 307 headliner Oct. 5 in Salt Lake City. Sonnen thinks Rakic is more than capable of stealing Ankalaev’s thunder, even though he’s coming off a knockout loss to Jiri Prochazka at UFC 300.

“You’ve got Ankalaev, clearly the No. 1 contender, at least according to you guys,” Sonnen said on his YouTube channel. “And you know what? I do have a little bit of a problem with that. It’s not a huge problem, but I do have just a little one, which is Rakic is that damn good. You’ve got to understand: Rakic did not get a world title fight – well neither did Ankalaev, but Rakic did find himself in the next best thing.

“He’s in a No. 1 contender’s match. That is quite literally the next best thing that you could get to a title fight, and he found himself there coming off of a loss. As a matter of fact, he found himself there coming off of a stoppage loss. As a matter of fact, finding himself in this spot actually moves him in front of the guy that he suffered the loss to in Prochazka.”

Rakic had returned from an almost two year-long layoff due to injury when he faced Prochazka this past April. He was able to wobble Prochazka on numerous occasions but was ultimately overwhelmed and stopped. Sonnen thinks ring rust and cardio likely played a factor in his loss.

“I’m only telling you this because that’s how good Rakic is, and a lot of people have forgot,” Sonnen continued. “Rakic looked good the night he lost to Prochazka, but he looked like a guy who had been out for a minute of time. His conditioning wasn’t going to be right where he wants it, and there was no way to manufacture that.”

[lawrence-related id=2765072,2764748,2762511]

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for UFC 308.