Aleksandar Rakić is a renowned MMA fighter who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the UFC. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Rakić comes from a Serbian family, which adds to his rich cultural heritage. With a background in kickboxing and boxing, Rakić honed his skills in combat sports from a young age. At 19, he decided to make the transition to MMA, a decision that has proven to be highly successful.
Since his professional MMA debut in 2011, Rakić has built an impressive record of 8-1, showcasing his talent and dedication to his craft. In 2017, he signed with the UFC, joining the ranks of the world’s top fighters. Throughout his UFC career, Rakić has faced formidable opponents, securing notable wins against fighters such as Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith.
However, like any fighter, Rakić has also experienced setbacks. He suffered a loss to Volkan Oezdemir, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport and the challenges that even the best fighters face. Despite this setback, Rakić remains determined and focused on his journey in the UFC.
Currently ranked #5 in the UFC light heavyweight division, Rakić has established himself as a force to be reckoned with. His skill, athleticism, and relentless work ethic make him a formidable opponent for anyone in his weight class. As Rakić continues to train and compete, the MMA world eagerly anticipates his future prospects and what lies ahead for this talented fighter.
In the next sections, we will delve deeper into Rakić’s early life and background, his kickboxing and boxing career, as well as his notable wins and losses in the UFC. We will also explore his current ranking in the light heavyweight division and discuss his future prospects, painting a comprehensive picture of this remarkable MMA fighter.
Early Life and Background
Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Aleksandar Rakić comes from a Serbian family and is an Austrian mixed martial artist. From a young age, Rakić showed a passion for combat sports, which eventually led him to pursue a career in MMA. With a strong foundation in kickboxing and boxing, he quickly established himself as a formidable athlete in the world of combat sports.
Having honed his skills in various martial arts disciplines, Rakić made his professional MMA debut in 2011. With an impressive record of 8-1, his exceptional talent caught the attention of UFC scouts, and he signed with the organization in 2017. Since joining the UFC, Rakić has proven himself to be a rising star in the light heavyweight division.
Throughout his career, Rakić has faced both triumphs and setbacks. Notable wins against renowned fighters like Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith have solidified his position as a top contender. However, he also experienced a loss to Volkan Oezdemir, highlighting the competitive nature of the sport.
Kickboxing and Boxing Career
Rakić’s journey in combat sports began with kickboxing and boxing. These disciplines allowed him to develop a strong striking ability, which has been a key component of his success in MMA. The experience gained from his kickboxing and boxing career provided Rakić with a solid foundation upon which to build his skills in the octagon.
His proficiency in stand-up fighting, combined with his dedication and work ethic, propelled Rakić into the world of mixed martial arts. This transition marked a turning point in his career, as he embraced the multifaceted challenges that come with competing in MMA.
Throughout his kickboxing and boxing career, Rakić showcased his technical prowess and determination, qualities that have carried over to his performances in the UFC. His expertise in striking, coupled with his versatility in grappling and wrestling, make him a well-rounded fighter in the light heavyweight division.
Kickboxing and Boxing Career
Prior to his journey into mixed martial arts, Aleksandar Rakić honed his skills in kickboxing and boxing. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Rakić comes from a Serbian family, bringing a strong fighting spirit to his combat sports career.
In kickboxing, Rakić quickly made a name for himself with his powerful striking and technical prowess. Competing in various promotions, he showcased his skill set, earning several victories and gaining recognition in the kickboxing community.
Transitioning to boxing, Rakić continued to impress with his ability to adapt and excel in different disciplines. His dedication and hard work paid off as he climbed up the ranks, facing tough opponents and gaining valuable experience along the way.
Rakić’s success in kickboxing and boxing served as a solid foundation for his transition to mixed martial arts. With his striking expertise and combat experience, he seamlessly made the move to MMA, ready to showcase his skills on a global scale.
Joining the UFC in 2017, Rakić continues to impress with each fight. His ability to seamlessly blend his kickboxing and boxing background with other aspects of MMA has made him a formidable opponent in the light heavyweight division. With notable wins over top-ranked fighters, Rakić has proven that his striking and well-rounded skill set make him a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
Notable Quotes:
“My kickboxing and boxing background have shaped me into the fighter I am today. It taught me discipline, patience, and the importance of technique. I carry those lessons into every MMA fight.”
Entrance into MMA and Professional Debut
At the age of 19, Aleksandar Rakić ventured into the world of MMA, making his professional debut in 2011. Coming from a background in kickboxing and boxing, Rakić brought a diverse skill set into the cage. His early years in combat sports helped him develop a strong striking game and solid overall technique.
Rakić quickly proved himself as a force to be reckoned with, amassing an impressive record of 8-1 before catching the attention of the UFC. His dominant performances and relentless determination caught the eye of Dana White and company, leading to his signing with the premier mixed martial arts organization in 2017. It was a significant milestone in Rakić’s career, solidifying his place among the top fighters in the world.
Since joining the UFC, Rakić has continued to showcase his skills and demonstrate why he belongs in the elite ranks of the light heavyweight division. Notable wins against respected opponents like Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith have elevated his status within the organization. However, Rakić also experienced a setback in his journey, suffering a loss to Volkan Oezdemir. Nevertheless, he remains determined to climb the ranks and secure his position as one of the top contenders in the division.
Notable Achievements
- Wins against Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith in the UFC
- Impressive knockout finishes throughout his career
- Ranked #5 in the UFC light heavyweight division
“I’ve dedicated my life to becoming the best I can be in this sport. I want to leave a lasting legacy and inspire the next generation of fighters.” – Aleksandar Rakić
Notable Wins and Losses in the UFC
Throughout his UFC career, Aleksandar Rakić has secured impressive wins against fighters such as Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, though he also faced a setback against Volkan Oezdemir. Rakić’s victory over Santos in August 2020 showcased his explosive striking and dominant performance inside the Octagon. The fight went the distance, with Rakić utilizing his precise striking and powerful kicks to secure a unanimous decision win.
In his bout against Smith in June 2021, Rakić displayed his well-rounded skill set, outclassing his opponent in a unanimous decision victory. He effectively controlled the fight with his striking and grappling, earning the win and solidifying his position in the light heavyweight division.
However, Rakić experienced a setback when he faced Oezdemir in December 2019. Despite a competitive bout, Rakić was unable to secure the win, suffering a split decision loss. This defeat served as a learning experience for Rakić, motivating him to continue improving and refining his technique.
Current Ranking and Division
As of now, Aleksandar Rakić holds the impressive ranking of #5 in the competitive UFC light heavyweight division. Born and raised in Vienna, Austria, Rakić has made significant strides in his MMA career since transitioning from kickboxing and boxing at a young age. With a professional record of 8-1 prior to joining the UFC, Rakić has proven himself to be a formidable force inside the octagon.
Throughout his UFC journey, Rakić has faced tough opponents and showcased his skills, earning notable wins against fighters such as Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith. These victories have demonstrated his ability to compete at the highest level and have gained him recognition within the MMA community.
However, every fighter faces setbacks, and Rakić experienced a loss to Volkan Oezdemir in a closely contested bout. This defeat only fueled his determination to improve and solidify his position as one of the top contenders in the light heavyweight division.
| Rank | Fighter |
|---|---|
| #1 | Jan Błachowicz |
| #2 | Glover Teixeira |
| #3 | Thiago Santos |
| #4 | Jiri Prochazka |
| #5 | Aleksandar Rakić |
Aleksandar Rakić’s current ranking at #5 places him in the upper echelons of the light heavyweight division. With his combination of striking power, technical skills, and determination, Rakić has the potential to climb even higher in the rankings and contend for the title in the future.
Future Prospects and Conclusion
With an already remarkable career, Aleksandar Rakić shows great promise for continued success in his MMA journey. As a rising star in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, Rakić has proven himself as a formidable fighter with impressive victories over tough opponents.
Having showcased his skills against top-ranked fighters such as Thiago Santos and Anthony Smith, Rakić has undoubtedly gained the attention and respect of both fans and fellow athletes. His ability to adapt his striking and grappling techniques to different opponents has made him a force to be reckoned with in the octagon.
Looking forward, Rakić’s future prospects in the MMA world appear bright. With his dedication, discipline, and natural talent, he has the potential to climb even higher in the rankings and contend for the UFC light heavyweight championship. As he continues to fine-tune his skills and gain experience in high-stakes fights, Rakić will surely become an even more formidable opponent.
Outside of the octagon, Rakić’s strong work ethic and humble demeanor have endeared him to fans around the world. His commitment to his craft and his determination to continuously improve make him a fan favorite and a role model for aspiring fighters.
