Aleksandar Rakić: The Serbian colossus' last stand

Aleksandar Rakić was supposed to clean out the light heavyweight division with his shin-shattering kicks. Today, the Serbian-Austrian giant walks into the cage with his back to the wall, carrying a three-fight losing streak. Facing Marcin Tybura, this isn't about chasing a title anymore: it's a desperate rescue mission without a life jacket.

🥊 Quick Stats

Name: Aleksandar Rakić
Record: 14-5-0
Signature: Chops down opponents' legs like a chainsaw, but has glass knees.

The High-Five Block

Last 5 results:

• ❌ Azamat Murzakanov — KO/TKO (R1) UFC 321
• ❌ Magomed Ankalaev — Unanimous decision UFC 308
• ❌ Jiří Procházka — KO/TKO (R2) UFC 300
• ❌ Jan Blachowicz — KO/TKO (R3) UFC Fight Night
• ✅ Thiago Santos — Unanimous decision UFC 259

The Origin Story

In Vienna, while other kids were busy eating pastries and learning to waltz, young Aleksandar preferred trading heavy leather. He cut his teeth with over 40 amateur bouts across boxing and kickboxing. A profile forged in the fire, proud of his Serbian roots, and built for a war of attrition. His move to MMA? A natural progression. The guy stepped into the cage with an elite kickboxer’s toolkit and one certainty: nobody is going the distance if he starts chopping at their lead leg.

Chainsaws for shins

At first, the Rakić rocket ship swept everything aside. His breakout moment? A missile sent straight into Jimi Manuwa’s jaw. Forty-two seconds. The Brit folded like a lawn chair, and the UFC had its new terror at 205 lbs. Athletic, clinical distance management, and rock-solid takedown defense (85.7%). Rakić looked like the prototype of the modern fighter: 4.1 significant strikes landed per minute for only 2.9 absorbed. The title was within reach.

Then, fate intervened. Against Jan Błachowicz, his right knee gave out mid-flight. ACL shredded, two years on the shelf. The comeback? A logistical nightmare. He ran into the toughest customers on the planet: the chaotic fury of Jiří Procházka who shut his lights out in round 2, followed by Magomed Ankalaev who neutralized him. Three losses in a row. The record looks rough, but don’t let it fool you: Rakić only lost to top-tier monsters.

Useless Knowledge

• His 42-second win over Jimi Manuwa remains one of the fastest and most violent head-kick KOs in division history.
• Born and raised in Austria, he made the bold choice to fight under the Serbian flag to honor his parents' heritage.
• His knee injury against Błachowicz sidelined him for nearly two years, requiring major reconstructive surgery.

The MMX Eye

This is the ultimate trap fight. Marcin Tybura isn't the flashiest guy on the roster, but he’s a steamroller. The Pole wants to pin you against the cage, exhaust you, ugly up the rhythm, and drag the fight into the mud. The key for Rakić? His takedown defense (85.7%). If he keeps Tybura from clinching, the fight becomes a long-range shooting gallery. Rakić is faster, more precise (50.3% striking accuracy), and infinitely more dangerous on the feet. He needs to use his low-kicks to kill Tybura’s mobility without getting grabbed, then work his straight right / body knee combinations.

Is this a safe pick for the League? It’s a high-stakes bet. Rakić has the pressure of the guillotine hanging over him, and his mental game has been tested lately. But on a purely technical and athletic level, he’s a class above. Prediction: Rakić by unanimous decision or TKO in the later rounds.

The Vienna sniper has used up all his lives: from here on out, every strike is a matter of survival in the elite. Do you think he’ll win his next fight? Come place your bets and challenge your buddies on MMX.

📋 On the same card: Check out all the profiles for UFC Fight Night: Medić vs. Rodriguez