Aleksandar Rakić (fighter)
Aleksandar Rakić (born February 6, 1992) is an Austrian mixed martial artist currently competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC).[3] A professional since 2011, he has also competed for the Final Fight Championship in his native Austria. As of August 10, 2020, he is #8 in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.[4]
Aleksandar Rakić | |
---|---|
Born | Vienna, Austria | February 6, 1992
Nationality | Austrian |
Height | 6 ft 4 in (1.93 m) |
Weight | 205 lb (93 kg; 14 st 9 lb) |
Division | Light heavyweight |
Reach | 78 in (198 cm)[1] |
Style | Kickboxing, Boxing, Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu |
Fighting out of | Vienna, Austria |
Team | Gym 23 |
Rank | Purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Robert Pastuch[2] |
Years active | 2011–present |
Mixed martial arts record | |
Total | 14 |
Wins | 12 |
By knockout | 9 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 2 |
Losses | 2 |
By submission | 1 |
By decision | 1 |
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog |
Background
Rakić started competing in kickboxing and boxing when he was 14 years old and accumulated over 40 fights prior to transitioning into MMA when he was at the age of 19 as he wanted to incorporate grappling and wrestling into his fighting skills.[5][6]
Mixed martial arts career
Early career
Rakić started his professional MMA career in 2011, competing primarily in the European circuit, and amassed a record of 8—1 before being signed by the UFC in March 2017.[7]
Ultimate Fighting Championship
Rakić made his UFC debut on September 2, 2017 against Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam, Netherlands.[8] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–27, 30–27, and 30–27).[9]
Rakić was expected to face Gadzhimurad Antigulov on February 24, 2018 at UFC on Fox 28.[10] However, it was reported on February 7, 2018 that Antigulov was pulled from the fight, citing injury, as a result, the bout was cancelled.[11]
His next fight came on July 22, 2018 at UFC Fight Night 134 against Justin Ledet.[12] He won the fight via unanimous decision (30–25, 30–24, and 30–24).[13]
Rakić faced Devin Clark on December 8, 2018 at UFC 231.[14] He won the fight by TKO in the first round.[15]
Rakić next faced Jimi Manuwa on June 1, 2019 at UFC Fight Night 153.[16] He won the fight by knockout with a head kick in the opening minute of the fight.[17] The win also earned his first Performance of the Night bonus award.[18]
Rakić faced Volkan Oezdemir on December 21, 2019 at UFC on ESPN+ 23[19] He lost the fight via split decision.[20]
On February 17, 2020, Rakić announced on his social media that he has signed a new, six-fight contract with the UFC.[21]
Rakić is expected to face Anthony Smith on August 29, 2020 at UFC Fight Night 175.[22]
Championships and accomplishments
Mixed martial arts record
Professional record breakdown | ||
14 matches | 12 wins | 2 losses |
By knockout | 9 | 0 |
By submission | 1 | 1 |
By decision | 2 | 1 |
Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
Loss | 12–2 | Volkan Oezdemir | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Edgar vs. Korean Zombie | December 21, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Busan, South Korea | |
Win | 12–1 | Jimi Manuwa | KO (head kick) | UFC Fight Night: Gustafsson vs. Smith | June 1, 2019 | 1 | 0:42 | Stockholm, Sweden | Performance of the Night. |
Win | 11–1 | Devin Clark | TKO (punches) | UFC 231 | December 8, 2018 | 1 | 4:05 | Toronto, Ontario, Canada | |
Win | 10–1 | Justin Ledet | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Shogun vs. Smith | July 22, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Hamburg, Germany | |
Win | 9–1 | Francimar Barroso | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Volkov vs. Struve | September 2, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Rotterdam, Netherlands | |
Win | 8–1 | Sergio Souza | TKO (punches) | Austrian Fight Challenge 5 | March 4, 2017 | 1 | N/A | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 7–1 | Martin Batur | KO (punch) | Austrian Fight Challenge 1 | June 20, 2015 | 1 | 0:26 | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 6–1 | Marcin Prachnio | TKO (punches) | Final Fight Championship 16 | December 6, 2014 | 3 | 3:00 | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 5–1 | Norbert Péter | TKO (punches) | HG: Heimgala 2 | September 13, 2014 | 1 | 4:57 | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 4–1 | Péter Rozmaring | Submission (north-south choke) | Vendetta: Rookies 2 | July 6, 2013 | 1 | 1:32 | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 3–1 | Laszlo Czene | KO (head kick) | WFC: Challengers 3 | June 3, 2012 | 1 | N/A | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 2–1 | Richard Longhimo | TKO (punches) | Iron Fist: Vendetta 3 | March 18, 2012 | 2 | 4:30 | Vienna, Austria | |
Win | 1–1 | Carsten Lorenz | TKO (punches) | New Talents 15 | February 4, 2012 | 1 | 1:42 | Erfurt, Germany | |
Loss | 0–1 | Christian Radke | Submission (guillotine choke) | Rock the Cage 2 | October 15, 2011 | 1 | 4:34 | Greifswald, Germany |
References
- "Aleksandar Rakic | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- Aleksandar Rakic (@MMA.Aleks) (December 13, 2018). ""Today i got promoted to a BJJ Purple Belt from my coach,brother,and friend Robert Pastuch (...)"". Facebook. Retrieved December 29, 2019.
- https://www.telegraf.rs/english/3068105-father-threatened-to-beat-me-if-i-dont-learn-cyrillic-confession-of-ufc-star-on-the-rise-i-am-austrian-in-serbia-and-serbian-in-austria-i-dont-feel-like-i-belong-anywhere-video
- "Rankings | UFC". www.ufc.com. Retrieved 2020-08-10.
- "Aleksandar Rakic On Transition To MMA, UFC 231 Matchup vs. Devin Clark". www.flocombat.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- "Under the Radar at UFC 231: Aleksandar Rakic". Sporting News. 2018-12-05. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- "Srpsko-austrijski borac Aleksandar Rakić potpisao za UFC". Fight Site (in Croatian). Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- "Four fights set for UFC Fight Night: Rotterdam | Fightful MMA". www.fightful.com. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- "UFC-Rotterdam results: Aleksandar Rakic dominates Francimar Barroso over 15 minutes". MMAjunkie. 2017-09-02. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- DNA, MMA. "Gadzhimurad Antigulov treft Aleksandar Rakic tijdens UFC on FOX 28 in Orlando". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2017-12-08.
- DNA, MMA. "Gadzhimurad Antigulov vs. Aleksandar Rakic geschrapt voor UFC Orlando". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- Carroll, Peter (2018-05-03). "Justin Ledet vs. Aleksandar Rakic booked for UFC Hamburg". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- "UFC Fight Night 134 results: Aleksandar Rakic dominates Justin Ledet for lopsided decision". MMAjunkie. 2018-07-22. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- Lee, Alexander K. (2018-09-04). "Devin Clark vs. Aleksandar Rakic announced for UFC 231". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2018-12-08.
- Hiergesell, Dan (2018-12-08). "Highlights! Rakic Finishes Clark Via Back Fist At UFC 231". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2018-12-09.
- Tristen Critchfield (2019-03-25). "Jimi Manuwa vs. Aleksander Rakic added to UFC Stockholm". sherdog.com. Retrieved 2019-03-25.
- Richardson, Andrew (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm Results! Rakic Disposes Of Manuwa In Just 47 Seconds". MMAmania.com. Retrieved 2019-06-02.
- Lee, Alexander K. (2019-06-01). "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith, head-kicking Aleksandar Rakic among winners". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- DNA, MMA. "Light-Heavyweightclash tussen Volkan Oezdemir en Aleksandar Rakic tijdens UFC Busan". Retrieved 2019-09-20.
- Doherty, Dan (2019-12-21). "UFC Busan Results: Volkan Oezdemir On Right Side of Split Decision Against Aleksander Rakic". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2019-12-22.
- Aleksandar Rakić (February 17, 2020). "Pleased to announce that I signed a new long term contract with 6 fights in the @ufc . This is the 3rd contract with the company in 2 years. Rocket Time 🚀🔝".
- Redactie (2020-06-19). "Anthony Smith en Aleksandar Rakić treffen elkaar op 29 augustus". mmadna.nl. Retrieved 2020-06-19.
- "UFC Stockholm bonuses: Anthony Smith's main event submission leads $50K winners". MMAmania. 2019-06-01. Retrieved 2019-06-01.
- Sherdog.com. "Aleksandar Rakic MMA Stats, Pictures, News, Videos, Biography - Sherdog.com". Sherdog. Retrieved 2019-12-22.