ABU DHABI – Aleksandar Rakic sees his UFC 308 matchup with Magomed Ankalaev as a first-rate 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 an alternative booked him towards Rakic (14-4 MMA, 6-3 UFC) on Saturday’s card at Etihad Area 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 strong trend. However Rakic has different plans.
“I used to be glad,” Rakic instructed MMA Junkie on Tuesday. “UFC offers me the chance to struggle towards the No. 2-ranked man, towards Ankalaev, and he was speculated to struggle. There have been rumors,he was speculated to struggle Pereira. However once I bought the title, I instantly stated sure. why? As a result of I feel I put a very good present at UFC 300 towards 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 the whole lot going backwards and forwards with Ankalaev and Pereira. I didn’t wish to say something. My primary focus was to coach onerous, to prepare for Ankalaev, to be 100% centered for him, and simply to do a present on Saturday and crash the celebration.”
Ankalaev has spent many 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 suppose that’s going to be the case.
Rakic, 32, is anticipating one of the best model of Ankalaev, 32, once they step within the cage. That may solely elevate the worth of a victory.
“He’s essentially the most nicely rounded man within the division in addition to me,” Rakic stated. “I’m anticipating an MMA struggle. I feel he’ll attempt to strike, he’ll attempt to grapple and wrestle. However I did my homework. I’ve been via hell the final weeks, and I did the whole lot to have a solution to the whole lot Ankalaev can carry.”
Rakic stated he’s not trying previous UFC 308 however is little doubt eager on the thought of getting his shot at Pereira. “Poatan” has run via many of the division’s prime contenders already regardless of being champion for lower than a yr, and Rakic would symbolize 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 have now proper now within the UFC. He beat some actually good names. I feel an important factor with Alex is to combine it up. After all, everybody says, ‘Go wrestle him. Go grapple him.’ However, after all, he trains wrestling and grappling, as nicely, and he is aware of some protection and methods to defend a takedown. It will not be really easy just like the folks could be considering it could be.
“He has nice kickboxing, however it’s all in regards to the particulars. We’re within the prime 5. He’s the champion. We’re all superb fighters, and there’s no higher league than UFC and no higher fighters than the UFC has. So with Alex, it is advisable to be conditioned and really prepared and it is advisable to combine issues up.”
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