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Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Aleksandar Rakic
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New date for Blachowicz fight
Rakic will now take on Jan Blachowicz in a light heavyweight matchup at the UFC event scheduled for May 14, MMA reporter Ariel Helwani reports (via Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl).
ANALYSIS
This was a matchup that was supposed to headline a March 26 card in Columbus, but Blachowicz was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. Rakic had been a slight favorite of roughly (-140) for that matchup, which will presumably again be the case when the two square off in May. Rakic is a much younger fighter, and he would be a perfect 7-0 under the UFC banner if it weren't for a controversial split-decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir back in 2019. He's since rebounded with decision wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. On paper, Rakic holds an edge in striking volume and defense, plus he should be able to negate any wrestling from Blachowicz by using a 90 percent takedown defense. Rakic is also two inches taller, but the two men have identical reaches of 78 inches.
This was a matchup that was supposed to headline a March 26 card in Columbus, but Blachowicz was forced to withdraw due to a back injury. Rakic had been a slight favorite of roughly (-140) for that matchup, which will presumably again be the case when the two square off in May. Rakic is a much younger fighter, and he would be a perfect 7-0 under the UFC banner if it weren't for a controversial split-decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir back in 2019. He's since rebounded with decision wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. On paper, Rakic holds an edge in striking volume and defense, plus he should be able to negate any wrestling from Blachowicz by using a 90 percent takedown defense. Rakic is also two inches taller, but the two men have identical reaches of 78 inches.
Blachowicz withdraws with injury
Rakic won't fight Jan Blachowicz at UFC Columbus on March 26 after Blachowicz was forced to withdraw due to a back injury, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rakic hasn't fought since March 2021 while recovering from an ankle injury, and his return to the Octagon in Columbus is now in jeopardy. It remains to be seen whether Rakic receives a new opponent for March 26 or if he's pulled from the card in favor a new matchup with Blachowicz at a later date.
Rakic hasn't fought since March 2021 while recovering from an ankle injury, and his return to the Octagon in Columbus is now in jeopardy. It remains to be seen whether Rakic receives a new opponent for March 26 or if he's pulled from the card in favor a new matchup with Blachowicz at a later date.
Headlining match against Blachowicz
Rakic (ankle) is targeted to face Jan Blachowicz at the UFC event schedule for March 26, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Rakic has been dealing with multiples injuries, including an ankle issue, and had to previously withdraw from his former matchup with Anthony Smith on Dec. 18. Nevertheless, it appears that Rakic will be ready to go by March 26, as Rakic is set to battle Blachowicz. The Austrian fighter is coming off a win last March over Thiago Santos, while Blachowicz most recently lost at UFC 267 to Glover Teixeira via submission in the second round, losing his championship belt. Rakic has won six of his past seven fights.
Rakic has been dealing with multiples injuries, including an ankle issue, and had to previously withdraw from his former matchup with Anthony Smith on Dec. 18. Nevertheless, it appears that Rakic will be ready to go by March 26, as Rakic is set to battle Blachowicz. The Austrian fighter is coming off a win last March over Thiago Santos, while Blachowicz most recently lost at UFC 267 to Glover Teixeira via submission in the second round, losing his championship belt. Rakic has won six of his past seven fights.
Targeting December return?
Rakic (ankle) had verbally agreed to a Dec. 18 fight against Anthony Smith before Smith was forced to withdraw due to multiple injuries, Jason Hagholm of The Scrap News reports.
ANALYSIS
While Rakic is waiting on clearance for an ankle injury of his own, Smith will be unable to make the original date due to both knee surgery and a staff infection. With Jiri Prochazka presumably next up to challenge the recently-acquired belt of Glover Teixeira, Rakic is in a bit of limbo as to who to fight next in his quest for UFC gold. He does have a controversial split decision against Volkan Oezdemir as the only blemish on his UFC record, but likely figured a rematch against a now-streaking Smith would get him more exposure. It's unclear if that is still his plan, or if he'd be willing to explore other options to stay on the Dec. 18 card.
While Rakic is waiting on clearance for an ankle injury of his own, Smith will be unable to make the original date due to both knee surgery and a staff infection. With Jiri Prochazka presumably next up to challenge the recently-acquired belt of Glover Teixeira, Rakic is in a bit of limbo as to who to fight next in his quest for UFC gold. He does have a controversial split decision against Volkan Oezdemir as the only blemish on his UFC record, but likely figured a rematch against a now-streaking Smith would get him more exposure. It's unclear if that is still his plan, or if he'd be willing to explore other options to stay on the Dec. 18 card.
Needs ankle injury cleared
Rakic is facing a 180-day medical suspension from the Nevada Athletic Commission pending an X-ray of a possible right ankle injury, Farah Hannoun of USA Today reports.
ANALYSIS
Rakic only absorbed 49 significant strikes in Saturday's lackluster decision victory over Thiago Santos, though 16 of those strikes were to his legs. While he didn't appear to be visibly hobbled after the fight, post-fight medicals likely led to the order for additional examination. Rakic will effectively be sidelined for a minimum of 30 days, but his quest to the top of the 205-pound rankings could be delayed until the fall without this clearance.
Rakic only absorbed 49 significant strikes in Saturday's lackluster decision victory over Thiago Santos, though 16 of those strikes were to his legs. While he didn't appear to be visibly hobbled after the fight, post-fight medicals likely led to the order for additional examination. Rakic will effectively be sidelined for a minimum of 30 days, but his quest to the top of the 205-pound rankings could be delayed until the fall without this clearance.