Tag: Aleksandar Rakic

Aleksandar Rakic ‘prepared for war’ with Thiago Santos, eyes title shot with UFC 259 win

Aleksandar Rakic is confident that a dominant win over Thiago Santos at UFC 259 will establish him as the No. 1 contender at 205 pounds.

[autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] is confident that with a dominant performance on March 6, he will emerge as the No. 1 contender at 205 pounds.

Rakic (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) faces former title challenger [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag] (21-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) at UFC 259, which is expected to take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.

With both men winning the majority of their fights by knockout, Rakic is expecting a grueling battle, and hopes to leapfrog all the light heavyweight contenders with a strong showing against Santos.

“I’m gonna be prepared for war, and I know Thiago is also gonna be prepared for war,” Rakic told MMA Junkie. “I want this title shot, and I want this belt so bad. I made a promise for one friend of mine who I lost a couple of days ago, and I promised his family that I’m gonna win against Thiago and I’m gonna get the title shot, and this motivates me a lot.”

After tearing through the ranks, including a finish over current UFC light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz, Santos has dropped his past two in a row. “Marreta” fell short in a valiant effort against then-champion Jon Jones at UFC 239, then he was submitted in the third round by Glover Teixeira at UFC on ESPN 17 in November.

But, despite Santos’ losing skid, Rakic knows not to underestimate him

“These two losses in a row mean nothing,” Rakic said. “Thiago is a dangerous guy. He fought Jon Jones very well, he fought injured. Now he lost to Glover. He knocked Glover down, Glover came back – he’s dangerous, he’s very dangerous – but you can see that the ring rust was there.”

He continued, “I think in his next fight against me, Thiago is gonna come even more motivated because he’s hungry, he sees his chances, and I’m sure he’s training hard because I know Thiago. We were training in American Top Team in Florida two years ago. He’s a dangerous guy, but I’m now getting into my prime and, I’m telling you, Aleksandar Rakic in his prime, nobody is gonna beat me. Nobody. I can swear to God nobody’s gonna beat me.”

In 2018, Rakic spent a training camp with Santos at American Top Team, making him familiar with the dangerous Brazilian’s game. After studying his opponent’s past fights, Rakic has identified two key fight tactics from Santos and will be prepared for either one come fight night.

“Sometimes he’s waiting to counter, sometimes he’s rushing forward,” Rakic said. “So I don’t know what I can expect from him, but I’m gonna be ready for everything that he’s bringing to the table, because this is the most important fight for me. After this fight, I want that title shot.”

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With Yoel Romero signing, Bellator now rivals UFC’s light heavyweight division | Opinion

Bellator’s light heavyweight division is picking up, enough to give the UFC’s 205-pound weight class a run for its money.

The claim the UFC has the best divisions in MMA has held up for a long time, but in 2020 that claim has an asterisk next to it.

Let’s call it how it is right off the bat: Overall, the UFC still is the leading MMA promotion in the world, and that’s where the majority of the biggest fights take place. However, the claim the UFC holds all the best fighters on the planet in each division is simply not true anymore, at least when looking at light heavyweight.

Bellator, a fellow American promotion, has always been second to the UFC in every weight class. The Viacom-owned promotion certainly has many world-class gems. Some have been UFC champions or have gone on to win a UFC belt after leaving Bellator. But divisional depth has been something that’s lacked when compared to the UFC.

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With recent signings, including the latest in two-time UFC middleweight title challenger [autotag]Yoel Romero[/autotag], Bellator now rivals the UFC’s light heavyweight division.

Now, you might think the UFC still holds a better 205-pound weight class, and that’s fine. But what you can’t do is ignore the fact Bellator holds many of the best fighters in the world at 205 pounds – a big enough number to not only rival the UFC’s division, but also make a claim of having the best top five.

Hear me out.

Bellator now has Romero, [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag], [autotag]Corey Anderson[/autotag], [autotag]Ryan Bader[/autotag], [autotag]Phil Davis[/autotag], and of course current champion [autotag]Vadim Nemkov[/autotag]. Except for champ Nemkov, who never competed in the UFC, all the contenders have been in the UFC’s official top five rankings.

Those Bellator contenders, plus the champion, could easily exchange a fair and even number of wins and losses with the UFC’s top five and belt holder today.

The UFC has champion [autotag]Jan Blachowicz[/autotag], and top-five contenders [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag], [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag], [autotag]Dominick Reyes[/autotag], [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] and [autotag]Jiri Prochazka[/autotag].

Let’s just look at some quick history.

UFC champ Blachowicz has a defeat to Anderson, just like Bellator champ Nemkov has a loss to Prochazka in RIZIN. Teixeira has lost to Bellator’s Johnson, Anderson and Davis. Additionally, Santos lost to current Bellator middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi.

That alone shows how competitive Bellator’s additions are.

These are not fighters who are washed up. and just have big names to bring big audiences, but actual contenders in the UFC who for different reasons weren’t able to come to terms with the promotion, so they switched over to Bellator.

Now, it’s fair to say that all of the former UFC fighters now in Bellator have lost to UFC talent, as well.

But there’s more. This goes beyond the top five. Bellator also has 185-pound champion Mousasi, who’s competed at 205 pounds, and could easily move up in weight to spice things up for a champion vs. champion bout. And add Lyoto Machida to the mix, who’s still a prominent figure despite maybe not being in his prime.

So all in all, Bellator’s light heavyweight division is world class and looking good. It’s safe to say that it rivals the UFC’s – or at the very least it’s worth a discussion.

The big factor here that splits the difference is Jon Jones, and don’t think I forgot.

However, it’s uncertain if Jones will return to 205 pounds or continue on with his plans to move up to heavyweight. Jones is indisputably the greatest light heavyweight today and the best of all time. That’s something you can’t take away from the UFC.

But as long as Jones is not listed or part of the UFC’s light heavyweight mix, Bellator has a case for having a top five that rivals the UFC’s.

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Aleksandar Rakic, Thiago Santos booked for key UFC light heavyweight bout on March 6

A pair of light heavyweight contenders will clash in March when Aleksandar Rakic takes on Thiago Santos.

A pair of light heavyweight contenders will clash in March when [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] takes on [autotag]Thiago Santos[/autotag].

Rakic (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) and Santos (21-8 MMA, 13-7 UFC) have agreed to meet on the UFC’s March 6 event, which does not have an official location, venue or broadcast plans.

MMA Junkie verified the pairing with multiple people close to the matchup following an initial report from UFC broadcast partner ESPN. The people requested anonymity because UFC has yet to make an official announcement.

Rakic is coming off the biggest win of his career. He beat Anthony Smith by decision at UFC Fight Night+ 33 in August.

Santos will make a quick turnaround from his submission loss to Glover Teixeira at UFC on ESPN 17 this past Saturday. It was the Brazilian’s first fight since double knee surgeries, which were injuries sustained in his split decision defeat to Jon Jones at UFC 239 in July 2019.

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UFC on ESPN+ 33: Despite wins, Mallory Martin, Polyana Viana could face six-month suspensions

Despite picking up wins, Polyana Viana and Mallory Martin could be facing up to six months on the sidelines.

Despite picking up wins at UFC on ESPN+ 33, [autotag]Polyana Viana[/autotag] and [autotag]Mallory Martin[/autotag] could potentially face up to six months on the sidelines due to medical suspensions.

MMA Junkie obtained the full list of suspensions from MixedMartialArts.com, the Association of Boxing Commission’s official record keeper.

In the night’s opener, Martin (7-3 MMA, 1-1 UFC) picked up a comeback submission finish of [autotag]Hannah Cifers[/autotag] (10-7 MMA, 2-5 UFC) at this past weekend’s event, which took place at UFC Apex in Las Vegas. In the second fight of the night, Viana (11-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) submitted [autotag]Emily Whitmire[/autotag] (4-4 MMA, 2-3 UFC) with an armbar in the first round.

Also potentially facing several months on the shelf is [autotag]Ji Yeon Kim[/autotag], who suffered a unanimous decision loss to [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag] (12-3 MMA, 4-3 UFC). Kim (9-3-2 MMA, 3-3 UFC) has to have her right orbital non-displaced fracture cleared or she could be facing six months.

Despite the one-sided loss to [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] in the main event, [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] (32-16 MMA, 8-4 UFC) will only be facing 45 days, whereas Rakic (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) did not receive a suspension.

[autotag]Robbie Lawler[/autotag] (28-15 MMA, 13-9 UFC) will be facing 45 days for nasal lacerations in his co-main event loss to [autotag]Neil Magny[/autotag], whereas Magny (24-7 MMA, 17-6 UFC) will be facing 45 days until the cut on his right elbow is cleared by a doctor.

Below is the full list of UFC on ESPN+ 33 medical suspensions:

  • Anthony Smith: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • Aleksandar Rakic: No suspension.
  • Robbie Lawler: Suspended 45 days with no contest for 30 days due to nasal lacerations.
  • Neil Magny: Suspended 45 days or until cut on right elbow cleared by doctor or no contest until Sept. 11.
  • Ji Yeon Kim: Must have right orbital non-displaced fracture cleared by oral and maxillofacial doctor or ophthalmologist or no contest until Feb. 26; minimum suspension until Oct. 14 with no contact until Sept. 29.
  • Alexa Grasso: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Ricardo Lamas[/autotag]: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 21 days.
  • [autotag]Bill Algeo[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Maki Pitolo[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to facial lacerations.
  • [autotag]Impa Kasangay[/autotag]: Must have right eye laceration cleared by doctor or no contest until Oct. 14; minimum suspension until Sept. 11.
  • [autotag]Alessio Di Chirico[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days.
  • [autotag]Zak Cummings[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Alex Caceres[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Austin Springer[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Sean Brady[/autotag]: No suspension.
  • [autotag]Christian Aguilera[/autotag]: Suspended 45 days with no contact for 30 days due to right eyebrow and nose lacerations.
  • Polyana Viana: Must have right thumb MRI and x-ray of
    right foot. If positive, then must have orthopedic doctor clearance or no contest until Feb. 26, 2021; minimum suspension until Sept. 29 with no contact until Sept. 20.
  • Emily Whitmire: Suspended 30 days with no contact for 30 days due to left elbow pain.
  • Mallory Martin: Must have right knee MRI. If positive, must have orthopedic doctor clearance or no contest until Feb. 26, 2021; minimum suspension until Oct. 29 with no contact until Oct. 14.
  • Hannah Cifers: Must have nose cut cleared by doctor or no contest until Oct. 14; minimum suspension until Sept. 29 with no contact until Sept. 20.

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Hablemos MMA #6: Entrevista con ‘Stitch Duran, resumen de UFC on ESPN+ 33, noticias, y mas

Escucha el quinto episodio de Hablemos MMA con “Stitch” Duran.

(Editor’s note: Hablemos MMA is MMA Junkie’s weekly Spanish-language podcast hosted by reporter Danny Segura. New episodes are released every Monday on Apple Podcasts, Spotify, and more of your favorite podcasting platforms. You can also stream or download the latest episode here.)

En el episodio número seis de Hablemos MMA, Danny Segura entrevista a Jacob “Stitch” Duran acerca de su carrera como curandero de esquina, como empezó en los deportes de combate, su despido controversial de UFC, y mucho más.

También analizamos los resultados de UFC on ESPN+ 33: [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] y las noticias de la semana incluyendo los últimos comentarios de[autotag] George St-Pierre[/autotag] acerca del posible combate con [autotag]Khabib Nurmagomedov[/autotag], retiro de [autotag]Ray Borg[/autotag], y mucho más.

UFC on ESPN+ 33 results: Aleksandar Rakic works over Anthony Smith for easy decision

Aleksandar Rakic had his rise in the light heavyweight division paused in December 2019, but now may find himself right back in the mix.

[autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] had his quick rise in the UFC’s light heavyweight division interrupted in December 2019, but now may find himself right back in the mix.

Rakic (13-2 MMA, 5-1 UFC) worked over former title challenger [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] (33-16 MMA, 8-6 UFC) with leg kicks when they were on the feet, then smothered him on the canvas en route to a unanimous decision sweep of the scorecards, including a 30-26.

The light heavyweight bout was the UFC on ESPN+ 33 main event at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. It aired on ESPN and streamed on ESPN+.

“I’m happy with my performance against a veteran and former title challenger,” Rakic said after the fight. “Everybody underestimates my wrestling and my grappling. … The focus was a lot of pressure, make damage on the ground, (and) control.”

Rakic opened with heavy leg kicks, and Smith answered back. But Rakic’s were harder in the first minute, and more plentiful. He continued to try to kick Smith’s legs out from under him, and 75 seconds in he got it done.

Rakic drilled Smith with a kick that took him off his feet. Rakic went to the canvas with him and ate a few punches. When Smith threatened to take Rakic’s back on the feet Rakic dragged it back to the canvas and tried to go to work on top. At the end of the round, Smith went back to his corner with no limp – perhaps surprising given the kicks he absorbed.

Rakic went right after the lead leg kicks again, then went to the body. Just 20 seconds in, Smith landed a big right hand, but Rakic dragged him back down and kept him smothered and frustrated essentially the whole round.

Rakic opened the third with a heavy kick, and then again found himself put to the canvas. Smith couldn’t find his way back to his feet, and with Rakic draped all over him had to eat knees to the thighs, as well.

Up-to-the-minute UFC on ESPN+ 33 results include:

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Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic prediction | UFC on ESPN+33 breakdown

Check out the MMA Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC on ESPN+33 main event between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic.

Check out the MMA Dan Tom’s analysis and predictions for the UFC on ESPN+33 main event between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic.

UFC on ESPN+ 33 free fight: Aleksandar Rakic starches Jimi Manuwa in 42 seconds

Relive Aleksandar Rakic’s head-kick knockout of Jimi Manuwa at UFC on ESPN+ 11.

It didn’t take long for [autotag]Aleksandar Rakic[/autotag] to put the UFC light heavyweight division on notice.

After notching three wins over Francimar Barroso, Justin Ledet and Devin Clark, Rakic (12-2 MMA, 4-1 UFC) was matched up with fellow knockout artist Jimi Manuwa at UFC on ESPN+ 11 in June 2019.

In his highest-profile fight to date, Rakic passed the test with flying colors. After a few feints and fakes, Rakic lunged forward with a combination, capping it off with a brutal head kick that knocked Manuwa out cold just 42 seconds into the fight. The win established the Austrian as a legitimate threat to the division’s best at 205 pounds as he confirmed his status as a title contender after just four fights with the promotion.

Although Rakic lost a split decision to Volkan Oezdemir in December 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23, he later signed a new six-fight deal with the promotion. Now his next assignment will pit him against former light heavyweight title challenger Anthony Smith in the main event of UFC on ESPN+ 33, which takes place Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The card airs on ESPN and streams on ESPN+.

Before he faces Smith (33-15 MMA, 8-5 UFC), relive Rakic’s finish of Manuwa in the video above.

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