At UFC 259 Thiago Santos went the distance against rising contender Aleksandar Rakic, then after the unanimous decision win Rakic has gone on social media to exclaim that the fight against the Brazilian was easy work for him. After the fight and Rakic&…
At UFC 259 Thiago Santos went the distance against rising contender Aleksandar Rakic, then after the unanimous decision win Rakic has gone on social media to exclaim that the fight against the Brazilian was easy work for him. After the fight and Rakic’s social media post, the former light heavyweight title challenger was perplexed as […]
UFC light-heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic thinks his most recent fight against Thiago Santos was “easy”. Rakic and Santos squared off on the UFC 259 main card last month. The fight was eagerly anticipated by many but failed to live up to expectations. Neither, Rakic or Santos particularly impressed during the fairly uneventful three-round bout. Ultimately, […]
UFC light-heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic thinks his most recent fight against Thiago Santos was “easy”.
Rakic and Santos squared off on the UFC 259 main card last month.
Neither, Rakic or Santos particularly impressed during the fairly uneventful three-round bout.
Ultimately, Rakic picked up a unanimous decision victory and moved himself one step closer to a shot at UFC gold.
Rakic recently told MMA Fighting exactly why the fight didn’t deliver as expected.
“I was training for that but he didn’t come out like usual,” Rakic said. “I think I neutralized his strength with my distance and the constant pressure forward, I didn’t let him do his own thing. I picked my shots and that was enough to win the fight. If he came forward more or [was] more aggressive, the fight would be going different, you know, and I would probably knock him out or take him down and submit him. But he didn’t rush so many times forward and I picked my shots. I didn’t expect such a passive Thiago Santos but, anyways, a victory is a victory and I’m the No. 2 lightweight contender for a reason.”
“The focus was on an aggressive guy,” he continued. “I respect Thiago and I think you can respect your opponent before the fight and after the fight, but, in the cage or in the octagon, I’m not gonna respect you. And I think his problem was that maybe he was respecting me in the cage. That’s the reason he let me do my thing. It was for me, like, easy victory, because I showed maybe 60 percent of my skills.
Santos got wind of the comments from Rakic and was not happy.
“Hey @rakic_ufc Easy fight because I did not KO your ass! I understand that when that doesn’t happen it is already a victory for my opponents!”
Hey @rakic_ufc Easy fight because I did not ko your ass! I understand that when that doesnt happen it is already a victory for my opponents!
Thiago Santos followed that up with some stats from the fight.
“Hey @rakic_ufc Why the disrespect? What do you mean easy fight? All the specialized sites gave me the strike count,” Santos wrote on Twitter. “All you did was grab and stall! You have a short memory!”
Hey @rakic_ufc Why the disrespect? What do you mean easy fight? All the specialized sites gave me the strike count. All you did was grab and stall! You have a short memory! pic.twitter.com/l6HuzTjf7G
Aleksandar Raki? is a mixed martial artist currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the Light Heavyweight division. The Austrian has been a professional fighter since 2011 and has made great strides in the sport, rising to number 6 in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings at the time of writing. You only have to […]
Aleksandar Raki? is a mixed martial artist currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the Light Heavyweight division. The Austrian has been a professional fighter since 2011 and has made great strides in the sport, rising to number 6 in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings at the time of writing.
You only have to go back to UFC 259, which was staged on the 6th of March, to find the last time Raki? was in action. He came up against Thiago Santos in Las Vegas and won the contest by unanimous decision. The victory built on the previous success against Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night in August 2020 and Raki? is keen to make up for the loss suffered at the hands of Volkan Oezdemir in South Korea.
Following the unanimous decision over Thiago Santos, Raki? made it clear he would like a shot at the Light Heavyweight title. The victory over Santos was not the most entertaining contest but the Austrian managed to keep Santos at bay for the three rounds thanks to his punches and kicks. Come the end of the fight, the judges scores read 30-27, 29-28 and 29-28 in favour of Raki?.
Speaking prior to the fight, Raki? said, “I’ve been working so hard for this fight. There’s no way that I lose this fight,” Raki? said afterwards. “The game plan was to keep the distance, to reach him with the long punches. We know Thiago is a sledgehammer. The game plan was to keep the distance and pick him apart. I want my chance to get a title. This is the third former title challenger for me and I beat all of them.”
Despite the hint of a comeback from Santos in the final round, Raki? had done enough in the previous two rounds to secure the victory. The Austrian did not have to take a great deal of damage, despite the pick-up in intensity from his opponent. However, due to the nature of the performance, it remains unclear whether it will be enough to see Raki? be awarded a title shot in the near future.
You will be the first to know if Raki? is to be rewarded with a title shot by following UFC picks and predictions. You will find all the latest information regarding the biggest upcoming UFC matches, with previews and the latest odds. Many of the leading online sportsbooks are listed, including BetMGM, William Hill, and DraftKings, so there is plenty of choice when it comes to betting on UFC matches. The question remains, will we see Raki? competing for a title in his next fight?
On the same night Raki? defeated Santos, current Light Heavyweight champion Jan B?achowicz took on current UFC Middleweight Champion Israel Adesanya. It was the Polish man who came out on top, winning the fight via unanimous decision, and in doing so, he became the first person to defeat Adesanya in mixed martial arts.
Therefore, at the time of writing, it seems as though competing for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship maybe a step too far for Raki? considering the level of the opponent. However, it is worth keeping in mind Santos, the man recently defeated by Raki?, beat B?achowicz in February 2019. Nonetheless, there are a few names above Raki? in the current UFC Light Heavyweight rankings who will be hoping for a shot at the title. Glover Teixeira of Brazil, Dominick Reyes of the United States, and Jiri Prochazka of the Czech Republic currently occupy third, fourth, and fifth in the rankings at the time of writing.
Speaking about his chances of a title opportunity, Raki? said “I’m young, I’m hungry, I fight well, I have a good record, and I’m representing the sport the best way. I’m a good guy.”
When the smoke cleared at UFC 259, Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic’s fight ended up being the Brazilian’s third consecutive loss inside the octagon. Prior to the UFC 259 pairing with Rakic, Santos had the intention of rebounding after a …
When the smoke cleared at UFC 259, Thiago Santos and Aleksandar Rakic’s fight ended up being the Brazilian’s third consecutive loss inside the octagon. Prior to the UFC 259 pairing with Rakic, Santos had the intention of rebounding after a tough return fight with Glover Teixeira. Even though many believed the fight would deliver fireworks, […]
Aleksander Rakic is confident he is the new face of the UFC’s light-heavyweight division after beating a second consecutive title challenger this past weekend. The 29-year-old convincingly beat Thiago Santos over three rounds at UFC 259. In the summer of 2020, Rakic had a similarly dominant win when he squared off against Anthony Smith. During […]
Aleksander Rakic is confident he is the new face of the UFC’s light-heavyweight division after beating a second consecutive title challenger this past weekend.
The 29-year-old convincingly beat Thiago Santos over three rounds at UFC 259.
In the summer of 2020, Rakic had a similarly dominant win when he squared off against Anthony Smith.
During the UFC 259 post-fight press conference, Rakic reflected on his victory against Santos, he said.
“I’m happy. I was dominant. I won all three rounds. I kept the pace. I pushed forward. I led the fight. I went the distance. I controlled the center. I controlled the clinching, and I hit him with some hard kicks, one high kick, couple of punches, so a dominant performance, and I’m happy about my performance.”
The entire fight took place on the feet. Post-fight, Rakic revealed that was always his plan.
“We know Thiago is a striker, so we said OK, let’s strike with this guy, and let’s dominate him,” Rakic said. “Basically, I like to dominate guys where they are the strongest.”
The Austrian insisted that his skills continue to improve on a daily basis.
“I’m the type of guy improving every day,” Rakic said. “I’m training all my skills every day, and I’m improving like I cannot explain. You need to follow me for like a month and see. I have the best coaches in my corner.”
Rakic even gave the reporters in attendance an insight into his post-fight conversation with UFC president Dana White.
“I told him that I am the new face of the light heavyweight division,” Rakic said. “I am young, I am hungry, I fight well. I have a good record, and I am representing the sport the best way. I’m a good guy. Let’s see what the UFC decides.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)
Do you think Aleksandar Rakic will become the UFC light-heavyweight champion?
Thiago Santos had no excuses for his latest setback. Santos suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 259 last night. Many were expecting the contest to be a barnburner and an explosive way to open up the stacked main card. Instead, it was a drab three-rounder with very little action from both […]
Thiago Santos had no excuses for his latest setback.
Santos suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 259 last night. Many were expecting the contest to be a barnburner and an explosive way to open up the stacked main card.
Instead, it was a drab three-rounder with very little action from both sides with Rakic doing just about enough to get the verdict of the three judges.
Santos — who was visibly disappointed at the result — is now on an unwanted three-fight losing streak and he could only blame himself for letting it go to the judges.
“No excuses, I left it up to the judges, it was my fault.”
Santos moved up to light heavyweight in 2018 and went on a three-fight winning streak to earn a shot at then champion Jon Jones in 2019. Despite being compromised for majority of the fight due to multiple injuries, Santos put up a good showing with many believing he did enough to win only for him to lose a close split decision.
He would then undergo double surgery and return against Glover Teixeira last year. Despite knocking his fellow Brazilian down twice, Santos would eventually get taken down and get submitted by the veteran.
And this latest setback doesn’t bode well for Santos and his hopes of becoming a champion — especially as he just turned 37. Hopefully, he will return stronger as he is still one of the most exciting fighters on the roster.
UFC light-heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic thinks his most recent fight against Thiago Santos was “easy”. Rakic and Santos squared off on the UFC 259 main card last month. The fight was eagerly anticipated by many but failed to live up to expectations. Neither, Rakic or Santos particularly impressed during the fairly uneventful three-round bout. Ultimately, […]
Aleksandar Raki? is a mixed martial artist currently competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship in the Light Heavyweight division. The Austrian has been a professional fighter since 2011 and has made great strides in the sport, rising to number 6 in the UFC Light Heavyweight rankings at the time of writing. You only have to […]
Thiago Santos had no excuses for his latest setback. Santos suffered a unanimous decision defeat to Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 259 last night. Many were expecting the contest to be a barnburner and an explosive way to open up the stacked main card. Instead, it was a drab three-rounder with very little action from both […]