ABU DHABI – Aleksandar Rakic sees his UFC 308 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev as a primary alternative to shake up the sunshine heavyweight title image.
Given his 12-fight unbeaten streak within the division, many anticipated Ankalaev’s (19-1-1 MMA, 10-1-1 UFC) subsequent struggle be a shot at reigning 205-pound champ Alex Pereira. It didn’t occur, although, and the promotion as a substitute booked him in opposition to Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Enviornment on Yas Island (ESPN+ pay-per-view, ESPN+).
UFC CEO Dana White has stated that Ankalaev will get his title shot if he wins in stable vogue. However Rakic has different plans.
“I used to be glad,” Rakic advised MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “UFC offers me the chance to struggle in opposition to the No. 2-ranked man, in opposition to Ankalaev, and he was imagined to struggle. There have been rumors,he was imagined to struggle Pereira. However once I bought the identify, I instantly stated sure. You already know why? As a result of I believe I put a very good present at UFC 300 in opposition to Jiri Prochazka, and that’s the rationale they selected me to struggle Ankalaev.
“I take this opportunity actually severe. I’ve been working onerous for this one. On social media, I used to be seeing all the things going forwards and backwards with Ankalaev and Pereira. I didn’t need to say something. My fundamental focus was to coach onerous, to prepare for Ankalaev, to be one hundred pc centered for him, and simply to do a present on Saturday and crash the celebration.”
Ankalaev has spent a lot of the construct to UFC 308 taking photographs at Pereira (12-2 MMA, 9-1 UFC) on-line and in interviews. Rakic stated he hopes his opponent “underestimates” him going into the octagon this weekend however doesn’t assume that’s going to be the case.
Rakic, 32, is anticipating the very best model of Ankalaev, 32, after they step within the cage. That might solely elevate the worth of a victory.
“He’s essentially the most effectively rounded man within the division in addition to me,” Rakic stated. “I’m anticipating an MMA struggle. I believe he’ll attempt to strike, he’ll attempt to grapple and wrestle. However I did my homework. I’ve been by hell the final weeks, and I did all the things to have a solution to all the things Ankalaev can carry.”
Rakic stated he’s not wanting previous UFC 308 however is little doubt eager on the concept of getting his shot at Pereira. “Poatan” has run by a lot of the division’s prime contenders already regardless of being champion for lower than a 12 months, and Rakic would signify a recent face to struggle for gold.
“He did nice issues within the mild heavyweight division,” Rakic stated. “He’s essentially the most lively champion we now have proper now within the UFC. He beat some actually good names. I believe crucial factor with Alex is to combine it up. After all, everybody says, ‘Go wrestle him. Go grapple him.’ However, in fact, he trains wrestling and grappling, as effectively, and he is aware of some protection and how one can defend a takedown. It might not be really easy just like the individuals can be pondering it could be.
“He has nice kickboxing, nevertheless it’s all concerning the particulars. We’re within the prime 5. He’s the champion. We’re all excellent fighters, and there’s no higher league than UFC and no higher fighters than the UFC has. So with Alex, it is advisable be conditioned and really prepared and it is advisable combine issues up.”
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