Tag: Aleksandar Rakic

Aleksandar Raki? Details Conditions For Anthony Smith Rematch

Aleksandar Raki? is eager to step back into the Octagon, and the #3-ranked light heavyweight has offered up a date for the Anthony Smith rematch. The last man to defeat Smith was Raki?, and since that night, “Lionheart” has tapped into his primal desire to throw leather. The American emboldened his name within the 205-pound […]

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Aleksandar Raki? is eager to step back into the Octagon, and the #3-ranked light heavyweight has offered up a date for the Anthony Smith rematch.

The last man to defeat Smith was Raki?, and since that night, “Lionheart” has tapped into his primal desire to throw leather. The American emboldened his name within the 205-pound weight class following his last three first-round finishing performances. After Smith’s most recent submission of Ryan Spann, the 33-year old called out his former nemesis Raki? for a December throwdown. Shortly after, the Austrian native responded on social media in favor of the potential rematch.

With just over one year removed from their first encounter, Aleksandar Raki? spoke on The MMA Hour and nailed down an exact date as to when he would like to test himself against Smith. The light heavyweight also emphasized that his second fight with Smith will need to be featured as the main event.

“He had an amazing win on Saturday, he (has) a three-fight winning streak after our fight. But Mr. Smith, be careful what (you) wish for. Aleksandar Raki? said. If the UFC wants a rematch, it has to be a main event, December 18th, and after this I’m going to get my title shot.”

Raki? last stepped in the Octagon in March against Thiago Santos. Many were itching to see how the 29-year old would stack up against “Marreta”. Raki? won the fight by decision and utilized his suffocating clinch tactics against the fence. The light heavyweight kept Santos at bay with leg kicks to advance his strategy too. Raki? did not score the finish, though he walked away victorious.

Raki?’s tear through the 205-pound weight class has been quiet compared to Smith’s last three victories. Normally, a rematch so soon doesn’t align, but the two remain enthusiastic to face each other. With a December date all but locked up, we may get that early Christmas present after all.

Do you favor Aleksandar Raki? against Anthony Smith in a potential rematch?

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Anthony Smith & Aleksandar Rakic Agree To Rematch In December

Anthony SmithAnthony Smith put on a dominant display before submitting Ryan Spann in the first round of the UFC Vegas 37 main event. ‘Lionheart’, who had just stretched his win streak to three, got on the mic and immediately called for a rematch with Aleksandar Rakic, who was the last man to beat him. “I want […]

Anthony Smith

Anthony Smith put on a dominant display before submitting Ryan Spann in the first round of the UFC Vegas 37 main event.

‘Lionheart’, who had just stretched his win streak to three, got on the mic and immediately called for a rematch with Aleksandar Rakic, who was the last man to beat him.

“I want Aleksander Rakic,” Smith told Michael Bisping post-fight. “He’s just sitting around. He’s not next for the title. Either I get that fight or I’m going to skip it. That’s what I want. I want someone ahead of me and I earned that.”

During Smith’s post-fight chat Rakic tweeted out to let his rival and all the fans know that he is ready to throw down later this year.

“I’m free in December @Mickmaynard2,” Rakic wrote.

‘The Count’ relayed that information to Smith, who replied by saying “Merry Christmas to me.”

Speaking at the UFC Vegas 37 post-fight press conference, Smith explained why he chose to call for a rematch with Rakic.

“That’s what I wanted,” Smith said. “That’s what I asked for. That’s the fight I’ve been talking about. It’s nothing personal. Me and Rakic have had nothing but positive exchanges with each other both before and after the fight. It’s purely competitive. I want his spot. He took mine, I want to take it back.”

As well as trying to right a wrong, Smith genuinely believes that a win over Rakic is worth more than beating any of the other contenders who are similarly ranked.

“No disrespect – I think Dominick Reyes is an easier fight (than Rakic), but that doesn’t get me closer to the title,” Smith said. “I need what’s going to get me closest to the title fight. I could hang around and wait for the loser of the title fight, but I don’t want to wait. I think for me stylistically – not saying for everyone – but for me, Rakic is probably the toughest fight out of those (top) five guys.” (Transcribed by MMA Junkie)

Are you looking forward to watching Anthony Smith rematch Aleksandar Rakic?

Anthony Smith Eyes Rematch With Aleksandar Rakic In Near Future

Anthony Smith knows a rematch might be in his future if he can get past Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 37. Anthony Smith is getting ready to headline his seventh UFC fight card. In this one, he is set to take on Ryan Spann and potentially get himself back in the mix for a title […]

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Anthony Smith knows a rematch might be in his future if he can get past Ryan Spann at UFC Vegas 37.

Anthony Smith is getting ready to headline his seventh UFC fight card. In this one, he is set to take on Ryan Spann and potentially get himself back in the mix for a title shot. Smith knows the tough task he has ahead of him in Spann but can’t help to think what could be next. Smith thinks a rematch with the last man to hand him a loss could be the thing he needs.

“I think after this fight, if I go in and have a dominant performance, I don’t think I have to defend my position anymore and I can go back to climbing,” Smith told MMA Junkie. “That’s why the Rakic fight makes sense to me. I have to climb ahead of me. Thiago (Santos) already has a fight coming up; Jiri (Prochazka) has the title shot to fight the winner (of Jan Blachowicz vs. Glover Teixeira); Reyes is coming off three losses – I don’t think that makes sense for me. There’s really just Rakic there and that’s the guy that makes sense for me.”

Smith and Rakic are both on two-fight winning streaks. With his last win over Thiago Santos, Rakic has moved into the number three spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings. Champion Jan Blachowicz already has his next fight lined up against Glover Teixeira, so Smith wants to line something up with the possible next contender, Rakic.

“I know he wants to wait for the title fight, but I don’t think that makes any sense,” Smith said. “He hasn’t had any barn-burning performances. He’s done enough to win, which is essentially what you have to do. But he’s not wowing anybody and the UFC is not begging him to fight for the title. He’s in a position where he’s going to fight again or get skipped. If I have to be the guy to push that, I would be happy to do that.”

Smith notably lost his first title shot opportunity when he was defeated by Jon Jones in 2019. Since then he has had a record of 3-2. Staying active and winning is the plan Smith has for himself. He is rooting for Teixeira in the title fight and hopes to be in the with him again soon.

Do you think a win over Aleksander Rakic could put Anthony Smith into title contention?

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Aleksandar Rakic Calls For ‘Samurai’ Jiri Prochazka To Sign Contract

RakicAleksandar Rakic wants to fight Jiri Prochazka next. Both fighters are vying for a light heavyweight title shot with most observers in agreement that Prochazka — fresh off his knockout of Dominick Reyes — is guaranteed to get the next shot. However, with current champion Jan Blachowicz defending his title against Glover Teixeira at UFC […]

Rakic

Aleksandar Rakic wants to fight Jiri Prochazka next.

Both fighters are vying for a light heavyweight title shot with most observers in agreement that Prochazka — fresh off his knockout of Dominick Reyes — is guaranteed to get the next shot.

However, with current champion Jan Blachowicz defending his title against Glover Teixeira at UFC 267 on October 30, it could be some time before Prochazka gets his shot.

Enter Rakic. The Austrian is on a two-fight winning streak and has won six of his seven UFC fights overall. He believes he not only has a shout for the title, but matches up well with Blachowicz.

But given the state of the title picture, he also believes it only makes sense to fight Prochazka in a title eliminator. A contract has even seemingly been sent — Prochazka just has to sign it.

“Have you signed our fight contract yet, Samurai or are you really this dumb to sit out and wait over a year until Jan/Glover decide to come back??????#FutureChamp?”

For his part, Prochazka doesn’t seem to pay too much attention to Rakic as he continues to post nature-based training photos.

Safe to say, he doesn’t mind waiting and while a fight with Rakic would be nice in the meantime, Prochazka has earned the right to wait out a title shot. Especially given his war with Reyes only took place four months ago.

Aleksandar Rakic Grows Frustrated With Ji?í Procházka & The UFC

Aleksander Rakic is tired of looking in from the outside, and he is letting the UFC know it. It has been five months since Aleksander Rakic stepped foot in the Octagon, and he is ready to make that walk again. The only problem is, he is having a hard t…

Aleksander Rakic is tired of looking in from the outside, and he is letting the UFC know it. It has been five months since Aleksander Rakic stepped foot in the Octagon, and he is ready to make that walk again. The only problem is, he is having a hard time finding an opponent. Rakic has […]

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Aleksandar Rakic Believes He Matches Up Well Stylistically Against Jan Blachowicz

RakicAleksandar Rakic believes he matches up well with current light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz. Blachowicz is set to defend his 205-pound crown against Glover Teixeira at UFC 266 which takes place September 25. Rakic, meanwhile, is on a two-fight winning streak following a decision win over Thiago Santos and has won six of his last […]

Rakic

Aleksandar Rakic believes he matches up well with current light heavyweight champion Jan Blachowicz.

Blachowicz is set to defend his 205-pound crown against Glover Teixeira at UFC 266 which takes place September 25. Rakic, meanwhile, is on a two-fight winning streak following a decision win over Thiago Santos and has won six of his last seven overall.

While most would expect Jiri Prochazka to get the next shot, Rakic is hopeful he’ll be the one to get it and believes his movement and speed will help him get the win should he end up facing Blachowicz next.

“I think stylistically he would match up even better than Thiago,” Rakic told James Lynch (via BJ Penn). “I’m the fastest guy in the division. My reaction and my movements, I’ve been in the sport for so many (years). I started kickboxing when I was 13. I had my first fight when I was 14. The first fight, I fought at 68kgs (150lbs).

“This movement and this speed are always in my backpack. I have it always in there.”

That said, the Austrian acknowledges it won’t be an easy fight whatsoever, especially with Blachowicz currently on a five-fight winning streak and in the peak of his powers.

“Of course, it’s going to be a hard fight, a hard battle, but I’m improving every day,” Rakic added. “I’m training and I have a hell of a team behind me. We work on every detail. The last camp, the quality of the camp behind me is amazing. After every sparring session, we record every sparring rounds, we sit in the evening together, and we watch the sparring.

“For example, the wrestling coach or the striking coach, if he sees something we could do better, right away the next day we work on this. The details. After every fight, you see a better version of Aleksandar Rakic. More fight IQ, better shape, calmer. It’s just a matter of time until the knockout or submission will come. I’m working very hard on this and I think it’s going to be a very good fight, me and Jan.”

How do you see Blachowicz vs. Rakic going?