Tag: Aleksandar Rakic

Aleksandar Raki? On UFC 308 Loss To Ankalaev: ‘The Decision Could Go Either Way’

UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Raki? evidently believes he was unlucky not to leave the United Arab Emirates with a win added to his record this past weekend. Raki? slumped to 0-2 in 2024 at Saturday’s UFC 308 pay-per-view. He met the division’s top-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, on the main card inside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad […]

Continue Reading Aleksandar Raki? On UFC 308 Loss To Ankalaev: ‘The Decision Could Go Either Way’ at MMA News.

UFC light heavyweight contender Aleksandar Raki? evidently believes he was unlucky not to leave the United Arab Emirates with a win added to his record this past weekend.

Raki? slumped to 0-2 in 2024 at Saturday’s UFC 308 pay-per-view. He met the division’s top-ranked contender, Magomed Ankalaev, on the main card inside Abu Dhabi’s Etihad Arena.

The bout went the distance, with the Dagestani securing three 29-28 scorecards to extend his unbeaten run to 13 straight fights and once again stake his claim for a long-desired shot at Alex Pereira.

In terms of the result, most appeared to share the same view as the judges. On MMA Decisions, all 14 media members who submitted scorecards had Ankalaev winning, with half giving him all three rounds. Just over 85 percent of fan scorecards, meanwhile, also went the way of the Russian.

The defeated Raki?, however, seemingly saw it as a fifty-fifty fight…

“I‘m proud of the support my country my dear people !! Last night I had a competitive fight against the No.1 ranked guy in the world I am proud of my achievement; the decision could go either way,” Raki? wrote on Instagram. “Thanks to my family, friends & team !!!
I‘ll rest couple days and get back to work ? | #UFC308 ??”

The contest marked Raki?’s second since recovering from the torn ACL he suffered in an Apex main event opposite Jan B?achowicz back in May 2022. He made his return this past April at UFC 300, where his strong start against Ji?í Procházka was rendered null when he faded and was finished in round two.

Having fallen short against two names above him in the pecking order this year to send him on a three-fight losing skid, “Rocket” will likely be tasked with defending his #5 spot on the ladder next time out.

Continue Reading Aleksandar Raki? On UFC 308 Loss To Ankalaev: ‘The Decision Could Go Either Way’ at MMA News.

Jamahal Hill Roasts ‘Boring’ Ankalaev vs. Raki? At UFC 308: ‘Against Alex & I…’

Consider former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill among those unimpressed by Magomed Ankalaev’s latest victory. After controversially being snubbed of the chance to challenge reigning champion Alex Pereira in Utah earlier this month, Ankalaev returned nine months on from his main event win over Johnny Walker to meet the highly regarded Aleksandar Raki?. The […]

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Roasts ‘Boring’ Ankalaev vs. Raki? At UFC 308: ‘Against Alex & I…’ at MMA News.

Consider former UFC light heavyweight champion Jamahal Hill among those unimpressed by Magomed Ankalaev’s latest victory.

After controversially being snubbed of the chance to challenge reigning champion Alex Pereira in Utah earlier this month, Ankalaev returned nine months on from his main event win over Johnny Walker to meet the highly regarded Aleksandar Raki?.

The pair shared the Octagon on the main card of this past weekend’s UFC 308 pay-per-view, with the Russian getting the nod on the scorecards to extend his undefeated streak to 13 straight fights in Abu Dhabi.

During a video recently uploaded to his YouTube channel, Hill reacted to the events that unfolded inside the Etihad Arena on Saturday night, unsurprisingly paying close attention to the crucial contest that played out in his division.

The former champ had criticisms for both contenders, noting a “lack of weapons” on the part of Ankalaev and poor “fight IQ” from Raki? across the three-round contest in the Middle East.

“Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki?, holy sh*t, what a pretty boring fight,” Hill said. “Pretty boring, fellas. I’m going to be real. I’m always going to be real whenever it comes to talking about fights, and this fight was boring. It showed a lack of weapons — I’m not going to say on Raki?’s side, because Raki? kind of got into his bag a little bit and showed some of the weapons he has. It showed a lack of weapons on Magomed’s end.

“I’ll get into that. it seems like we’re probably going to be on a collision course,” Hill continued. “Raki? showed a lack of fight IQ. Magomed is wholeheartedly a counter fighter. That’s what I mean by lack of tools. Lack of tools is being able to come forward and enter, things that actually get you forward. That’s not something that he’s good at doing, which, against Alex (Pereira) and I, is going to be a problem.”

Those comments come as little surprise given Hill’s immediate reaction on social media, which marked a repeat of his cageside response to Pereira’s successful title defense in Salt Lake City earlier this month.

But despite his less than positive assessment of the latest win on Ankalaev’s unbeaten run, Hill did admit that the Dagestani is deserving of a long-awaited second title shot in the UFC. And Dana White appeared to reluctantly share the same sentiment during his post-fight press conference.

“Sweet Dreams,” meanwhile, will be looking ahead to his chance to return to winning ways in pursuit of a shot against the Pereira vs. Ankalaev victor.

Continue Reading Jamahal Hill Roasts ‘Boring’ Ankalaev vs. Raki? At UFC 308: ‘Against Alex & I…’ at MMA News.

‘Ain’t Beating Pereira’ – Fans React As Magomed Ankalaev Outpoints Aleksandar Raki? At UFC 308

Is Magomed Ankalaev next in line to face Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title? That’s what the question is following his victory over Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308. The first round saw plenty of leg kick trading, with Raki? using his attacks to pile on damage to Ankalaev’s lower body. The Russian, however, slowly […]

Continue Reading ‘Ain’t Beating Pereira’ – Fans React As Magomed Ankalaev Outpoints Aleksandar Raki? At UFC 308 at MMA News.

Is Magomed Ankalaev next in line to face Alex Pereira for the light heavyweight title? That’s what the question is following his victory over Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308.

The first round saw plenty of leg kick trading, with Raki? using his attacks to pile on damage to Ankalaev’s lower body. The Russian, however, slowly found success with the left hand, and that extended into the second round. In another close round, Ankalaev’s left hand proved to be a powerful weapon, with “Rocket” seemingly troubled by its attack toward his body.

Ankalaev continued to find success, while Raki? sought for a takedown in the third round and hoped to play things safe — after his corner controversially told him he was up two rounds.

The Austrian’s team may have been shocked (unlike plenty of others) then to find out the judges all gave 29-28 nods to Ankalaev.

Magomed Ankalev Gets Decision Win At UFC 308, Tells Alex Pereira To ‘Stop Running’

The top contender is unbeaten since dropping his UFC debut in 2018. He came into this fight off a brutal knockout of Johnny Walker in January.

Raki?, meanwhile, has now lost three straight, which also includes a TKO loss to former champion Ji?í Procházka at UFC 300.

Continue Reading ‘Ain’t Beating Pereira’ – Fans React As Magomed Ankalaev Outpoints Aleksandar Raki? At UFC 308 at MMA News.

Magomed Ankalaev Outlasts Aleksandar Raki?, Calls Out Alex Pereira Following UD Win – UFC 308 Highlights

Magomed AnkalaevMagomed Ankalaev solidified his spot as the No. 1 ranked light heavyweight contender at UFC 308. On the cusp…

Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev solidified his spot as the No. 1 ranked light heavyweight contender at UFC 308.

On the cusp of a shot at Alex Pereira‘s 205-pound title, Ankalaev stepped inside the Octagon in Abu Dhabi for a high-stakes clash with former title contender Aleksandar Raki?.

Magomed Ankalaev

Throughout the three-round affair, Ankalaev kept moving forward forcing Raki? to stay on his back foot and dance around the cage wall. That allowed Ankalaev to control the action and land the more impactful shots as Raki? was mostly relegated to lead leg attacks.

Magomed Ankalaev

After going the full 15 minutes, we went to the scorecards where all three judges saw it in favor of Ankalaev.

Official Result: Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Raki? via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Following the win, Ankalaev sent a message to Alex Pereira, telling ‘Poatan’ to “stop running” away from him.

Magomed Ankalaev

Check out Highlights From Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308:

Magomed Ankalaev Outlasts Aleksandar Raki?, Calls Out Alex Pereira Following UD Win – UFC 308 Highlights

Magomed AnkalaevMagomed Ankalaev solidified his spot as the No. 1 ranked light heavyweight contender at UFC 308. On the cusp…

Magomed Ankalaev

Magomed Ankalaev solidified his spot as the No. 1 ranked light heavyweight contender at UFC 308.

On the cusp of a shot at Alex Pereira‘s 205-pound title, Ankalaev stepped inside the Octagon in Abu Dhabi for a high-stakes clash with former title contender Aleksandar Raki?.

Magomed Ankalaev

Throughout the three-round affair, Ankalaev kept moving forward forcing Raki? to stay on his back foot and dance around the cage wall. That allowed Ankalaev to control the action and land the more impactful shots as Raki? was mostly relegated to lead leg attacks.

Magomed Ankalaev

After going the full 15 minutes, we went to the scorecards where all three judges saw it in favor of Ankalaev.

Official Result: Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Raki? via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Following the win, Ankalaev sent a message to Alex Pereira, telling ‘Poatan’ to “stop running” away from him.

Magomed Ankalaev

Check out Highlights From Magomed Ankalaev vs. Aleksandar Raki? at UFC 308:

UFC 308 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Topuria vs. Holloway, Whittaker vs. Chimaev, & More

UFC 308 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup. The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 26, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT, with the preliminary card […]

Continue Reading UFC 308 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Topuria vs. Holloway, Whittaker vs. Chimaev, & More at MMA News.

UFC 308 is almost upon us, and MMA News is here to keep you updated with the current odds for this weekend’s lineup.

The upcoming pay-per-view takes place Saturday, October 26, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. The main card begins at 2 PM ET/11 AM PT, with the preliminary card starting at 10 AM ET/7 AM PT.

Topping the lineup will be reigning UFC Featherweight Champion Ilia Topuria, who is tasked with getting the better of former kingpin Max Holloway if he’s to record a first successful title defense.

Before they go to battle, the co-main event will see ex-middleweight titleholder Robert Whittaker in action for the third time this year. After getting past Paulo Costa and Ikram Aliskerov, “The Reaper” is next tasked with blemishing the perfect record of Khamzat Chimaev.

Also set to make the walk on Saturday will be the likes of top light heavyweight contender Magomed Ankalaev, undefeated featherweight Lerone Murphy, middleweight prospect Shara Magomedov, and former UFC lightweight champion Rafael dos Anjos.

Ahead of the event, you can get some help from the group of experts at MMA News by checking out their predictions for the UFC 308 main card here.

UFC 308: Topuria vs. Holloway Betting Odds

Listed below are the latest betting odds for UFC 308 (as of 10/25), courtesy of DraftKings.

Main Card:

  • Ilia Topuria (-230) vs. Max Holloway (+190)
  • Robert Whittaker (+190) vs. Khamzat Chimaev (-230)
  • Magomed Ankalaev (-375) vs. Aleksandar Raki? (+295)
  • Lerone Murphy (-265) vs. Dan Ige (+215)
  • Sharabutdin Magomedov (-170) vs. Armen Petrosyan (+142)

Preliminary Card:

  • Ibo Aslan (+105) vs. Raffael Cerqueira (-125)
  • Geoff Neal (-298) vs. Rafael dos Anjos (+240)
  • Mateusz R?becki (+260) vs. Myktybek Orolbai (-325)
  • Abus Magomedov (-142) vs. Brunno Ferreira (+120)
  • Kennedy Nzechukwu (-750) vs. Chris Barnett (+525)
  • Farid Basharat (-750) vs. Victor Hugo (+525)
  • Ismail Naurdiev (-175) vs. Bruno Silva (+145)
  • Rinat Fakhretdinov (-238) vs. Carlos Leal (+195)

Continue Reading UFC 308 Betting Odds: Current Favorites For Topuria vs. Holloway, Whittaker vs. Chimaev, & More at MMA News.