Aleksandar Rakić Bio
Aleksandar Rakić is a Serbian mixed martial artist born on February 6, 1992, in Vienna, Austria. Competing in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC), he has built a reputation as one of Europe’s most dangerous strikers. Rakić began his professional career in 2011 after a successful run as a kickboxer, and he carries the nickname “Rocket” inside the cage. As of June 2026, he holds the number 14 spot in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.
Early Life and Background
Rakić was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, into a Serb family. As a child, he played football, but his aggressive style on the pitch eventually led to his removal from the team. He turned to combat sports as a teenager and began training in kickboxing and boxing when he was 12 years old. By the time he was 14, he had already entered his first fight, and over the next several years he stacked up more than 40 kickboxing bouts before his 20th birthday.
While building his combat resume, Rakić worked at a hotel to support himself during his early training years. That balance of work and discipline shaped his approach to the sport and helped him develop the conditioning that later became a hallmark of his MMA game. His background in stand-up striking gave him a clear foundation before he made the jump to mixed martial arts.
Path to MMA
Rakić made his professional MMA debut in 2011, stepping away from a kickboxing career that had run from 2005 to 2011. He competed primarily on the European circuit, including stints with promotions such as Final Fight Championship in Austria. Over the next several years, he built a strong regional record and earned recognition as one of the top light heavyweight prospects outside the UFC.
By the time the UFC came calling, Rakić had posted an 8–1 record on the regional scene. In March 2017, he signed with the world’s largest MMA promotion and relocated his training base to Gym 23 American Top Team, where he continues to prepare for his fights. The move marked the end of his developmental phase and the beginning of his run on the global stage.
Aleksandar Rakić Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
During his pre-UFC years, Rakić fought across Europe and quickly racked up wins against experienced regional opponents. His kickboxing pedigree made him a dangerous finisher early in his MMA run, and he added grappling layers as his career progressed. The 8–1 mark he carried into the UFC included finishes by knockout and submission, along with several decision wins that showcased his cardio and ring craft.
That stretch also included appearances for Final Fight Championship in Austria, where he built a loyal local following and sharpened the well-rounded skill set he would later bring to the UFC. His success on the European circuit is what ultimately convinced UFC matchmakers to give him a shot on the biggest stage in the sport.
UFC Debut and Rise (2017–2020)
Rakić made his UFC debut on September 2, 2017, against Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He won the bout by unanimous decision and signaled right away that he belonged in the promotion. After a canceled booking against Gadzhimurad Antigulov, he returned in July 2018 and defeated Justin Ledet by unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 134.
His climb up the rankings picked up speed in 2018 and 2019. He stopped Devin Clark by first-round TKO at UFC 231 in December 2018, then produced one of his most memorable performances against Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 153 in June 2019, finishing Manuwa with a head kick in the opening minute. That victory earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus. He closed the decade with a split-decision loss to Volkan Oezdemir at UFC Fight Night 165 in December 2019, a result that seven of eight media outlets scored in his favor. In February 2020, he announced a new six-fight deal with the UFC and followed it up with a unanimous-decision win over Anthony Smith at UFC Fight Night 175 in August 2020.
Title Contention (2021–2022)
Rakić’s march toward the top of the division continued in 2021 when he outpointed Thiago Santos over three rounds at UFC 259. The win positioned him as a clear contender and set up a high-profile booking against former champion Jan Błachowicz. After Błachowicz withdrew with an injury, the bout was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36 on May 14, 2022. Rakić suffered a torn anterior cruciate ligament during the fight and lost by technical knockout in the third round, a result that sent him into a nearly two-year layoff.
Return and Heavyweight Move (2024–2025)
After extensive rehab, Rakić was lined up to rematch Błachowicz at UFC 297 in January 2024, but his opponent withdrew again for shoulder surgery. Instead, Rakić faced former light heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka at UFC 300 in April 2024 and dropped a second-round technical knockout decision despite landing multiple leg kicks throughout the bout. He returned at UFC 308 in October 2024 and lost a unanimous decision to Magomed Ankalaev, then suffered a first-round technical knockout loss to undefeated prospect Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025.
Looking for a fresh start, Rakić has decided to move up to the heavyweight division. He is scheduled to face Marcin Tybura on August 1, 2026, at UFC Fight Night 283, a matchup that will test his frame and striking pedigree against a larger pool of opponents.
Style and Strengths
Rakić fights out of a stance built on long-range striking, sharp leg kicks, and one-punch knockout power. Standing 6 feet 5 inches tall with a 78-inch reach, he uses his frame to control distance and pick opponents apart from the outside. Training alongside the Gym 23 American Top Team squad has helped him round out his grappling, where he currently holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu under Roberto Pastuch.
Notable Events and Milestones
His first-round knockout of Jimi Manuwa in 2019 remains one of the signature finishes of his UFC career and earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus. He has also shared the Octagon with former champions such as Thiago Santos, Jan Błachowicz, and Jiří Procházka, underscoring his place near the top of the light heavyweight ladder.
Aleksandar Rakić Career Wins
Across his professional MMA career, Rakić has compiled 14 wins in 20 total bouts, with victories spread across finishes and decisions. His finishing arsenal includes three knockouts, one submission, and two wins by decision, a balance that reflects his evolution from pure striker to complete mixed martial artist.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC, Rakić has recorded wins over Francimar Barroso, Justin Ledet, Devin Clark, Jimi Manuwa, Anthony Smith, and Thiago Santos. His first UFC victory came by unanimous decision over Barroso in his September 2017 debut, while his most recent UFC win came against Santos at UFC 259 in March 2021.
Other Wins and Performances
Outside the UFC, Rakić built his record across European promotions, including Final Fight Championship in Austria. Those regional appearances helped him develop the experience and exposure that eventually earned him a UFC contract in March 2017.
Aleksandar Rakić Family
Family Background and Heritage
Rakić was raised in a Serb household in Vienna, Austria, where his family settled before he was born. That Serbian heritage has remained a defining part of his identity, even as he has built his training camp and career in Austria.
Personal Life
Rakić continues to live and train in Vienna, Austria, where he has spent most of his life. He keeps his personal and family life largely private and focuses his public profile on his fighting career and his work inside the cage.
2025 Season Performance
Rakić’s 2025 campaign was defined by a reset rather than a return to form. He stepped back into the Octagon at UFC 321 on October 25, 2025, against undefeated light heavyweight prospect Azamat Murzakanov and was finished by technical knockout in the opening round. The loss added to a difficult stretch that included prior defeats to Jiří Procházka and Magomed Ankalaev.
Despite the setbacks, Rakić has remained active on social media and engaged with his fan base, often hinting at a move in weight class. His decision to test the waters at heavyweight represents one of the more interesting late-career pivots in the division and gives him a fresh runway heading into 2026.
Looking ahead, Rakić is slated to face Marcin Tybura at UFC Fight Night 283 on August 1, 2026. That heavyweight debut will offer a clear view of how his 6-foot-5 frame, 78-inch reach, and kickboxing pedigree translate against larger opposition, and it could redefine the next chapter of his career.
