Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic Prediction: A firefight that could steal the show

Unbeaten light heavyweight phenom Magomed Ankalaev takes on Aleksandar Rakic this Saturday, October 26. The bout takes place at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi as part of UFC 308. The event will be screened live on TNT Sports.

Here are my Ankalaev vs Rakic predictions ahead of this 205lb showdown.

First plays fifth in the UFC light heavyweight rankings as top-ranked contender Ankalaev takes on the well-travelled Rakic. An international affair, with this Russia vs Austria clash taking place in Abu Dhabi, the world title will be on the minds of both men.

Ankalaev has fought for that very crown. The Dagestan man took Jan Blachowicz to a split draw for the vacant belt back in 2022. The belt has been vacated twice since due to injuries, with Jamahal Hill and Alex Pereira filling the void. It seems inevitable that the winner of this will at least be in the hat for a title shot.

Rakic may not have fought for the belt, but he has mixed with the best. His last two fights came in defeats to Blachowicz (via a knee injury) and Jiri Prochazka, both former UFC champions. But there are some fine wins on his record too. Thiago Santos, Jimi Manuwa and Anthony Smith have all fallen to ‘Rocket’.

Ankalaev has been on a frustrating run as of late. He saw the second-longest win streak in UFC light heavyweight history cut short at nine with the Blachowicz draw. Then a fight with Johnny Walker ended in a No Contest after an accidental knee to his grounded foe. 

Ankalaev got back on track last time out with a superb performance to knock out Walker in the second round of their rematch. Now the Russian continues his journey towards a second shot at the title. Having not lost his first championship bout, or indeed at all in the UFC, Ankalaev will feel he warrants a second opportunity.

All that could be derailed by Rakic. Primarily a knockout artist, the powerful Vienna man goes in with a fighter who shares his taste for throwing bombs. Rakic has knocked out nine men in his 14 wins, while Ankalaev has 10 stoppages from 18 victories. The rivals have just one submission between them, scored by Rakic against Peter Rozmaring long before either he or Ankalaev made it to the UFC.

It looks like this one will be settled through striking. It feels like a perfect cocktail of styles and a sleeper for Fight of the Night honours if this bout ignites. There is so much on the line, namely Ankalaev’s title ambitions and Rakic’s top-flight career. Fists will fly in pursuit of not only victory but survival. Two men will battle on Saturday with their professional way of life at stake.

Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakić Fight Odds

Ankalaev is a 1/4 favourite to pull off the victory. Rakic is 11/4 to score his first victory in three fights. A draw is a 50/1 long-shot.

UFC 308 Full Card

Main Card

Ilia Topuria vs Max Holloway 

Robert Whittaker vs Khamzat Chimaev 

Lerone Murphy vs Dan Ige 

Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakic 

Shara Magomedov vs Armen Petrosyan 

Prelims

Geoff Neal vs Rafael dos Anjos 

Mateusz Rebecki vs Myktybek Orolbai 

Said Nurmagomedov vs Daniel Santos 

Abus Magomedov vs Bruno Ferreira 

Kennedy Nzechukwu vs Justin Tafa

Faris Basharat vs Victor Hugo

Ismail Naurdiev vs Bruno Silva

Rinat Fakhretdinov vs Nursulton Ruziboev 

Ibo Aslan vs Rafael Cerqueira

Magomed Ankalaev vs Aleksandar Rakić Predictions

I think this is going to be a slugfest. Rakic comes to fight without fail and Ankalaev is at his most comfortable in a striking match-up. These sorts of fights often come down to who lands first. I think this will last a little longer than that, but I think when it does come to an end it will be Ankalaev who stands tall. 

I’m picking Ankalaev to prevail in this one via knockout at odds of 9/4.

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