In this Saturday’s UFC headliner, Aleksandar Rakić faces his toughest test when he takes on Anthony Smith. Rakić will be inserted right into contention with a win on the big stage.
“I respect Anthony (Smith),” Rakić told MMA Junkie’s Farah Hannoun. “He’s really a true warrior… on Saturday he can show this to me, but it’s going to be a long night for him.”
UFC on ESPN+ 33 was originally supposed to be headlined by Zabit Magomedsharipov and Yair Rodriguez, but circumstances forced it to be rescheduled, allowing for Smith and Rakić to fill in as the main attraction.
The exposure that comes from a main event win over a former title challenger would be monumental for Rakić at this point in his career.
Just now entering his fighting prime (28), there couldn’t be a more perfect time for Rakić to earn that signature win with the spotlight on him.
The striker hailing from Austria has had a rapid rise up the light-heavyweight rankings since entering the UFC in Nov. 2017. In just five appearances (4-1), Rakić has beaten a promising prospect in Devin Clark and a former contender in Jimi Manuwa.
He also fought former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir to a split-decision loss in a bout that most people believe he won. Now, he hopes to secure the biggest win of his life when faces the always dangerous Anthony ‘Lionheart’ Smith in Saturday’s three round main event.
“I’m ready for everything,” Rakić told Farah Hannoun. “I’ve been training my striking, my wrestling, my grappling… putting it on a new level.”
Rakić has had eight weeks to prepare for this bout and he seems mentally ready for the challenge, but all that matters is what happens when the octagon door closes.
An impressive performance this Saturday against Anthony Smith would be Aleksandar Rakić’s official coming out party and would make him a top five light-heavyweight.
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