Austria’s Aleksandar Rakic wants a shot at the UFC light heavyweight title with a win. The 30-year-old sees himself on the right track for two rounds in the fight against ex-champion Blachowicz – before he unhappily twists his knee.
Austrian MMA fighter Aleksandar Rakic is facing a long break in his career. In a light heavyweight bout against former UFC champion Jan Blachowicz, the Serbian-flag Viennese lost by technical knockout in the third round in Las Vegas because he was unable to continue fighting after suffering a knee injury.
In lap one, Rakic lived up to his nickname “rocket” and immediately showed how explosive he can be in the octagon. With a left straight he missed the 39-year-old Blachowicz a cut under the left eye. In the second round, Rakic brought his opponent down, escaped from a submission hold by Blachowicz and hit him with punches and elbows. In lap three, the Austrian twisted his knee while moving backwards, fell to the ground and immediately signaled that he couldn’t continue fighting.
A few hours after the fight, the Austrian spoke up on Instagram. It is an injury that he had already suffered in preparation for the fight and has now broken out again. Rakic did not give any further details.
“Congratulations to Jan and I wish him all the best. I will take care of this injury and come back,” wrote Rakic. “This is an unfinished fight between Jan and I and I really hope the UFC gives me a rematch.”
Third seeded Rakic could have been in contention for a title fight if he won. That chance goes to Blachowicz instead. Who the Pole will meet will be decided on June 11 when champion Glover Teixeira meets challenger Jiri Prochazka in Singapore.
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