Career Averages - Aleksandar Rakić
Career Averages - Thiago Santos
Aleksandar Rakić
Thiago Santos
Aleksandar Rakić - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Azamat Murzakanov | 1 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 9 of 14 | 64% | 13 of 18 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Azamat Murzakanov | 1 | 3 of 8 | 37% | 4 of 9 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 9 of 14 | 64% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Azamat Murzakanov | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 9 of 14 | 64% | 0 of 3 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 7 | 8 of 13 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Azamat Murzakanov | 3 of 8 | 37% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 7 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Murzakanov (-118), Rakic (-102)
Round 1
The main card of one of the presumably final pay-per-views for the organization kicks off with a light heavyweight eliminator, although the elimination could be one’s job depending on the result. Having lost his last three, “Rocket” Rakic (14-5, 6-4 UFC) needs to record his first triumph since 2021. On a slow-moving rocket blasting towards him is Russia’s Murzakanov (15-0, 5-0 UFC), three years the elder but never having lost as a professional. This tale of two tides will be overseen by referee Rich Mitchell, quite aware of the implications this outing may have on the light heavyweight division.
Rakic quickly lets loose a range-finding low kick, and he skims the side of his opponent when lifting his leg higher. Rakic hammers the upper chest with a kick, and he ducks away from two looping hooks. Rakic prods at the front leg with his shin, and he scores another heavy body kick that Murzakanov partially leaned into. Rakic kicks up the middle and then hits the front leg, and he changes things up for a double-leg entry and bullies the Russian to the fencing. Murzakanov defends the first effort with his back to the wall, and he starts taking knees to the thigh while he looks off at the clock that reads three minutes remaining. Murzakanov pushes off and separates, and he lances a trio of punches down the middle at his foe. Rakic replies with a right hand to the waist, and Murzakanov gives him one back to think about. Rakic kicks the body, then the lead leg, and those two open up a single-leg entry.
Murzakanov times a counter to roll Rakic over, but this results in an uncomfortable position for both men so they abandon it and start back over on the feet. Murzakanov sits down on a short right hand, and it catches Rakic’s chin perfectly and separates him from his senses right as Rakic was rushing forward to engage. The Austrian hits the floor and turns over to his side to shell up, seemingly totally out of it and done for the day. Murzakanov seems almost surprised, and he rains down a few punches to punctuate the performance and keep his undefeated record that way. Mitchell waves the fight off, and in the blink of an eye the two went from trading blows to lights out. The Russian has landed his fifth knockout as a UFC light heavyweight, and less than a dozen men hold more in promotional history—Chuck Liddell’s nine in the modern era still leads the pack.
The Official Result
Azamat Murzakanov def. Aleksandar Rakic R1 3:11 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo leans toward Azamat Murzakanov despite acknowledging Rakic's reach and technical striking. He notes Murzakanov has knockdowns in all six UFC fights and is powerful, but also small for the division. Angelo thinks Rakic is too low-volume and used to losing, and he might sprinkle a small bet on Murzakanov if the odds widen.
Big Brady leans toward Aleksandar Rakić, despite Murzakanov's undefeated record. He notes Rakić has faced elite competition (former champions) and has a significant size advantage (4-inch height, 7.5-inch reach). Brady expects Rakić's superior cardio and leg kicks to be decisive as Murzakanov slows down in fights. He predicts a close decision win for Rakić, though he hates picking against Murzakanov.
Cody picks Azamat Murzakanov despite the size disadvantage, citing his undefeated record and knockout power. He notes that Rakić is on a three-fight losing streak and may have confidence issues, while Murzakanov finds a way to win. Cody acknowledges that Rakić is world-class and will have moments, but believes Murzakanov's power and finishing ability will prevail, though he expects a close fight.
Connor picks Rakić, arguing that Murzakanov's level of competition has been low and his size disadvantage will be too much. He believes Rakić's reach and kicking game will keep Murzakanov at bay, and that Murzakanov's low output will cost him rounds. Connor thinks this is a step too far for Murzakanov.
Daniel Vreeland questions Rakić's confidence and durability, noting his tendency to fade and his recent losses. He believes Murzakanov's pressure, southpaw power, and ability to close distance will overwhelm Rakić. He predicts Murzakanov will walk Rakić down, get into punching range, and knock him out. He acknowledges Murzakanov's cardio issues but thinks he can finish early.
Lucrative James picks Aleksandar Rakić, but hesitantly. He cites Rakić's experience against top competition (Jan Błachowicz, Jiri Prochazka, Magomed Ankalaev) and his size advantage, which could make his head kicks effective. He notes Murzakanov's power and explosiveness but questions his cardio and level of competition. He believes Rakić can win the minutes and land kicks from the outside, but acknowledges Murzakanov's danger.
The host believes Rakić can stay away from Murzakanov's power, chip away with calf kicks, and mix in grappling. He thinks Rakić's size and strength will lead to a knockout.
Paul also picks Murzakanov but is hesitant, noting the size difference and Rakić's speed. He plans to wait for weigh-ins to get a better price, as Murzakanov may drift to plus money. Paul acknowledges that Murzakanov's cardio is a concern, but believes his power and the Abu Dhabi crowd support give him an edge.
The MMA Guru picks Aleksandar Rakić by decision, but admits he is hesitant. He notes that Azamat Murzakanov is undefeated and has KO power, but Rakić has a significant reach advantage and has trained with Jon Jones. He believes Rakić's low kicks and range management will be key, and that Murzakanov's shorter frame may struggle to land. He references Rakić's close fight with Magomed Ankalaev and his performance against Jiri Prochazka before getting injured. He expects a 29-28 decision, possibly with a scare in the third round.
Zane picks Murzakanov, comparing him to a wolverine who will not accept losing. He believes Murzakanov will absorb early damage from Rakić's kicks but then storm forward and steal rounds with crushing offense. Zane notes Rakić's tendency to fall apart under pressure and thinks Murzakanov's aggression will be the difference.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 55 of 114 | 48% | 75 of 142 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:31 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 53 of 117 | 45% | 59 of 123 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 19 of 34 | 55% | 19 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 22 of 45 | 48% | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 23 of 50 | 46% | 24 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:13 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 19 of 43 | 44% | 20 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:06 | |
| 3 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 13 of 30 | 43% | 32 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 12 of 29 | 41% | 17 of 34 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:54 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | 55 of 114 | 48% | 20 of 72 | 22 of 29 | 13 of 13 | 50 of 105 | 5 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 53 of 117 | 45% | 10 of 65 | 9 of 12 | 34 of 40 | 50 of 111 | 3 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magomed Ankalaev | 19 of 34 | 55% | 7 of 19 | 8 of 11 | 4 of 4 | 19 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 22 of 45 | 48% | 4 of 24 | 3 of 4 | 15 of 17 | 22 of 45 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Magomed Ankalaev | 23 of 50 | 46% | 8 of 33 | 7 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 23 of 49 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 19 of 43 | 44% | 3 of 24 | 3 of 5 | 13 of 14 | 18 of 41 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Magomed Ankalaev | 13 of 30 | 43% | 5 of 20 | 7 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 22 | 5 of 8 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 12 of 29 | 41% | 3 of 17 | 3 of 3 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 25 | 2 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Ankalaev (-345), Rakic (+275)
Round 1
Austria has dual representation on the lineup, a rarity among UFC cards let alone ones that take place in the Middle East and not Europe. Russian title challenger Ankalaev (18-1-1, 1 NC; 10-1-1, 1 NC UFC) will try to grind, smash and press towards another crack at gold, but standing in his way is a recovered Rakic (14-4, 6-3 UFC). While Rakic is riding the first losing streak of his career, and has not won in over three years, he still serves as a solid test that Ankalaev has not already passed at the depleted light heavyweight ranks. Joining them in the cage will be referee “Shaolin” Vitor Ribeiro, who gets things started as the combatants decide against touching gloves. Ankalaev opens up wildly, hurling a huge left hand, only to slow down when Rakic fires a head kick at him. Ankalaev responds with a body kick, and they trade kicks to varied targets. Rakic comes up short with a right hand, and they hand-fight in alternating stances. Body kicks land with thumps on one another, and Rakic doubles up on it and tries to catch a low kick. Ankalaev digs another kick to the ribs, and Ribeiro asks for the fighters to close their fists. They don’t. Rakic chains a right hand into a head kick, and he scoots away when Ankalaev bears down on him. Ankalaev reaches his target with a straight left hand, and Rakic sits down on an inside low kick to retaliate. Ankalaev put a few fists on the midsection, keeping his guard up to block the inevitable head kick. Rakic scores a low kick and is punched in the face for his effort, and he times a head kick that nearly splits the guard. Ankalaev goes after a body kick after he leans back to dodge a punch, and Rakic chips away at the lead leg effectively. Ankalaev stalks him down, protecting his face when Rakic punches and kicks his way. Rakic kicks the front leg on the inside and outside, and Ribeiro keeps telling the fighters to close their hands to no avail. Ankalaev gets countered with a right hand over the top, and he eats a jab after landing his own left. Rakic beats on the guard with his shin, and he whiffs on a haymaker as Ankalaev comes up close. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 2
Rakic picks up right where he left off, feeding Ankalaev a steady diet of leg kicks. Ankalaev crashes the pocket and turns to smack Rakic in the face with a clever up-elbow, and Rakic wears it well. Both men whiff punches, and Ankalaev’s head kick grazes the beard. Rakic reaches out with a right hand, and he jabs the body with the ball of his foot. Rakic splits the guard with a solid right, and he leans back to bash Ankalaev in the face with an intercepting left. Ankalaev reaches his target with punches to the head and body, and he ends as labored combination with a body kick. Ankalaev jabs his way in, but a left to the body is his best blow, as Rakic keeps a solid poker face but might be hurt. Rakic backs off and measures with distant strikes, and the crowd works into a lather in support of the Russian, who is landing cleaner. Ankalaev digs a left to the body and fires off a head kick that is blocked just in time, and he strings a few punches together to get Rakic’s attention. Rakic snaps out several more low kicks, reddening and welting his opponent’s front leg, but not seemingly compromising him. Ankalaev’s forward movement results in a clinch, and he pushes the Austrian to the wall and holds on. They both swing fists at the break but miss the mark, and Ankalaev rushes after him and tags his foe with a straight left. Ankalaev stabs the torso with a left hand, and he has a left hook brush past the top of Rakic’s dome. Rakic kicks high to get blocked, and he looks for a right hand on the inside as time expires.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev
Round 3
The fighters get going immediately, trading hands and feet without fear of reprisal. Ankalaev lunges with a left hand, snapping the head back and whiffing on a follow-up right. High kicks from both men bounce off the other’s guard, and Rakic backs off and spins with a back fist as Ankalaev is after him. Ankalaev slams his foot in the liver of his opponent, and Rakic comes up hitting air on the counter. As Rakic lands a right hand, sweat flies, and Ankalaev responds with a left that makes more fly off his opponent. Rakic digs for a body shot and leans back to avoid a huge hook, and Ankalaev walks him down and busts him in the chops with a scooping left hook. Rakic backs off and absorbs a second cleanly, and he gets on his bike and strafes to the side. Rakic suddenly shoots for a single, and Ankalaev hops back to the wall to keep his balance and set his limb down. Rakic transitions to a single on the other side, and he succeeds in leaning against Ankalaev but can do little else with his wrestling. Ankalaev turns his man about in the clinch, working the body with punches and knees until Rakic surges into action and spins him about. Ankalaev plants a solid knee on the torso, and he measures another as Rakic leans over. Ankalaev puts knees on the body as Rakic gains enough space to dirty box, and the Russian holds him tight until the slow-paced contest comes to a merciful conclusion—with neither looking like a strong threat to claim the throne of Alex Pereira.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Ankalaev (29-28 Ankalaev)
The Official Result
Magomed Ankalaev def. Aleksandar Rakic via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Angelo picks Magomed Ankalaev as the first leg of his 'villain parlay' with a full unit bet. He acknowledges Ankalaev is a good kickboxer with wrestling, but he dislikes him and hopes the parlay loses. He thinks Ankalaev should win because Rakić is coming off two losses and hasn't won since 2021, and Ankalaev has the technical striking and wrestling advantage.
Big Brady slightly favors Ankalaev but thinks the fight will be close and competitive. He expects the striking to be competitive and the fight to go to decision. He notes that Ankalaev has a path to victory via wrestling, as Rakić hasn't faced many wrestlers in the UFC. He calls the line 'kind of dumb' but picks Ankalaev to win a close decision.
Cody picks Magomed Ankalaev, stating he is the uncrowned champion of the division and should roll over Rakić. He notes that Rakić hasn't looked good since 2019, has been knocked out in his last two fights, and lacks durability and volume. Cody believes Ankalaev's wrestling and striking will be too much, and that he will be motivated to make a statement to earn a title shot.
Connor picks Rakić, mainly because he wants Ankalaev to suffer and because Rakić is a more powerful striker with better fundamentals. He notes that Ankalaev tends to fight at a slow pace and rely on his wrestling, but often doesn't use it. Connor believes Rakić's jab and counter-punching could give him an edge in a kickboxing match.
Daniel Vreeland picks Magomed Ankalaev to win, citing his superior hands and ability to capitalize on Rakić's tendency to exit the pocket with his chin up. He expects Rakić to have early leg kick success but believes Ankalaev will make adjustments and either win by knockout or a 29-28 decision. Vreeland notes that Ankalaev is on a 12-fight unbeaten streak and that Rakić has been underwhelming despite his physique.
Lucrative James picks Magomed Ankalaev to win but is hesitant due to Ankalaev's poor fight IQ and tendency to make fights close. He notes that Ankalaev is the better all-around fighter with grappling upside, but his low volume and lack of power could lead to a close decision. He sees value on Rakić as an underdog and expects a split decision type fight. He is not confident enough to bet on Ankalaev at -360 odds.
Ankalaev's overall game is too much for Rakić. Many expect a grapple-heavy approach, but Ankalaev may unleash his striking to catch Rakić off guard, leading to a knockout victory. This would help him overcome the 'boring' label and earn a title shot.
Paul picks Ankalaev, agreeing that he is the best in the division and that Rakić is not a top-five fighter. He points out that Rakić has been outworked and knocked out in his recent fights, and that Ankalaev's wrestling and striking will be decisive. Paul also mentions that Ankalaev needs to put his foot on the gas to impress the UFC.
The Guru picks Ankalaev by decision, despite acknowledging Rakić's technical skills. He believes Ankalaev's pressure and clinch work will wear on Rakić, and that Ankalaev will mix in takedowns to secure rounds. He notes that Rakić has struggled to finish opponents and that Ankalaev's boxing will become more effective as the fight goes on. The Guru also mentions that the odds are too wide in Ankalaev's favor, suggesting Rakić offers value as an underdog, but ultimately sticks with Ankalaev via 29-28 decision.
Zane did not make a pick for this fight. He criticized the matchup as boring, noting both fighters are consistent, risk-averse range strikers who favor high-percentage low-power strikes. He expressed disappointment that the UFC booked this fight knowing their styles, and predicted Ankalaev will likely get a title shot anyway due to lack of other options.
Zane picks Ankalaev, expecting a slow-paced kickboxing match where Ankalaev edges out a decision. He acknowledges Rakić's power and technique but thinks Ankalaev will control the tempo and win a close fight, as he has done before. Zane is not confident but sees Ankalaev as the likely winner.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiří Procházka | 0 | 69 of 118 | 58% | 69 of 118 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:38 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 58 of 109 | 53% | 58 of 109 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiří Procházka | 0 | 16 of 38 | 42% | 16 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 36 of 69 | 52% | 36 of 69 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jiří Procházka | 0 | 53 of 80 | 66% | 53 of 80 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:35 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 22 of 40 | 55% | 22 of 40 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jiří Procházka | 69 of 118 | 58% | 56 of 101 | 5 of 9 | 8 of 8 | 45 of 87 | 7 of 7 | 17 of 24 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 58 of 109 | 53% | 34 of 77 | 1 of 2 | 23 of 30 | 56 of 107 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jiří Procházka | 16 of 38 | 42% | 10 of 29 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 4 | 15 of 37 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 36 of 69 | 52% | 19 of 45 | 0 of 1 | 17 of 23 | 35 of 68 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jiří Procházka | 53 of 80 | 66% | 46 of 72 | 3 of 4 | 4 of 4 | 30 of 50 | 6 of 6 | 17 of 24 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 22 of 40 | 55% | 15 of 32 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 7 | 21 of 39 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rakic (-120), Prochazka (+100)
Round 1
In any other UFC event, this sure-fire light heavyweight collision would draw main card status or potentially serve as the headliner. Due to just how stacked UFC 300 is—along with the decision to throw a 5-0 hot prospect above this bout—it will instead serve as the final prelim. Former champ Prochazka (29-4-1, 3-1 UFC) gets back in the saddle in a classic matchup of Czech Republic vs. Austria when he faces Rakic (14-3, 6-2 UFC). High finish rates for both men mean that referee Herb Dean will likely be involved before time expires, while the judges might be able to sit back and just enjoy the carnage waiting to unfold. Ever the sportsmen, they try to bump fists and miss, before all hell breaks loose. They both reach long strikes at one another, with Rakic landing a few jabs and low kicks. Prochazka darts in with an uppercut, and Rakic tries to keep him backed off with jabs and right hands. Rakic comes up short with a heavy right, and Prochazka nods to Dean that he is fine after finger scraped his eye. Prochazka dances around with his hands down, absorbing a right hand and several more low kicks. Prochazka scores one punch, and Rakic stands him up with two punches and dings him with a calf kick. Welting has already began to develop just 90 seconds in on Prochazka’s lead leg, and he pays it no mind and switches stances back and forth to attack. Rakic times a stance switch to chop down the calf, and Prochazka shrugs them off as he powers forward. Rakic hammers the lead leg with a kick, and Prochazka’s balance nearly gives way. Rakic scores a left hand when Prochazka recklessly attacks to open up a cut on the corner of the eye, as Prochazka struggles to put weight on his lead leg. Rakic does not slow his methodical breakdown with his leg kick, and he shifts out of the way when Prochazka advances. Prochazka eats two more low kicks, and he tries to give two more back. When he throws out a body kick, Rakic beans him with a right hand over the top. Rakic opens up with an overhand right, getting the former champ’s attention but not making him back away one moment. Prochazka crashes forward and misses, and Rakic slides to the side. Rakic slips in a right hand, and Prochazka dips and ducks forward to plant a front kick on the abdomen and a right hand up top. Prochazka drives a knee to the jaw, and Rakic unloads with a counter right. Prochazka powers through with a huge right hand, hurting “Rocket,” but Rakic stings him back before Prochazka can pour it on. Rakic lines up a one-two down the pipe, and Prochazka walks through it and clinches up until they reach the bell.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 2
The light heavyweights bump fists, and Rakic immediately picks up where he left off by chewing up the former champ’s lead leg. The kicks force a stance switch, and Prochazka absorbs the kicks on both sides to fluster him. Rakic connects with right hands after jab, and he stands Prochazka up with a right hand. Prochazka fights through it and launches a head kick that bounces off the raised guard, and he takes a calf kick that disrupts him again. Prochazka kicks up high again, and he grazes the top of the head and follows it with power punches. Prochazka connects with his heavy strikes, and Rakic scampers away to reset and launch his own head kick that lands under Prochazka’s arm. Prochazka measures and blasts Rakic in the face with his shin, and the two strikes proceed to bang it out with no regard for their defenses. Prochazka unloads with another head kick, and he slugs it out until he gets two punches through. Rakic stumbles from one side of the cage to the other, and Prochazka knees him hard in the head. Rakic fires back with everything he has, and Prochazka bites down on his mouthpiece and batters Rakic with anything he has to strike with.
Prochazka pushes Rakic over and clobbers him with elbows, and Rakic turns over to his stomach and turtles up. “BJP” unleashes a fury of punches, and Dean watches closely until Rakic is stuck and just taking unnecessary damage at that point.
Dean calls a halt to the fight, capping off a furious comeback from the former champion. The two immediately squash any beef they carried into their meeting, and they hug it out.
The Official Result
Jiri Prochazka def. Aleksandar Rakic R2 3:17 via TKO (Punches)
Angelo picks Jiri Prochazka as the underdog, citing his relentless pressure and chaos. He notes Rakic is the more technical striker but has been out for two years and doesn't like brawls. He likes the +110 odds as juicy but may not bet due to conservatism.
Cody is confused why Rakić is a slight favorite. He lists many red flags for Rakić: a near 2-year layoff, coming off a leg injury, low volume, and unimpressive performances even before the injury. In contrast, Procházka is a former champion with dynamic striking, power, and a samurai mentality. Cody notes Procházka has a fifth-round submission win over Glover Teixeira and can wrestle if needed. He believes Procházka's pressure and power will overwhelm Rakić, who tends to avoid fighting. Cody picks Procházka as the underdog.
Connor picks Procházka because his willingness to create chaos and take risks is valuable at light heavyweight. He contrasts Procházka's creative, reckless style with Rakić's neurotically technical, restrained approach. Connor argues that Procházka's ability to scramble and make fights uncontrollable will overcome Rakić's grinding, as Rakić has not faced someone with Procházka's level of unpredictability.
Daniel Vreeland picks Jiří Procházka as a slight underdog, citing his chaotic, unpredictable style and ability to force opponents into brawls. He acknowledges Rakić's athleticism and leg kicks but believes Procházka's offensive juggernaut approach and durability will lead to a finish. Vreeland notes that Procházka has been knocked out but expects him to make it wild and catch Rakić.
Lucrative James does not make a pick for this fight. He says he is excited to see how Jiří Procházka bounces back from his loss. He does not provide a prediction.
Rakić will drag the fight to the ground where he can have success from top position. Procházka has struggled with opponents on top. Rakić will chain wrestling attempts and keep Procházka on his back, grinding out a decision win.
Paul agrees with Cody, favoring Procházka. He notes that if it turns into an absolute fight, Procházka's pace and volume will be too much for Rakić, as seen in Procházka's fight with Dominick Reyes where he landed 77 significant strikes before a early third-round finish. Paul acknowledges both fighters have red flags (layoffs, injuries), but Rakić has been on the shelf longer and has bigger question marks. He emphasizes Procházka's samurai mentality and believes he will bring the fight to Rakić.
The MMA Guru picks Aleksandar Rakić to defeat Jiří Procházka by targeting his lead leg with low kicks. He notes Procházka's weakness against leg kicks and that Rakić is comfortable backpedaling. He also mentions Rakić may mix in takedowns and predicts a finish or decision.
Zane picks Rakić despite hating his fighting style. He believes Rakić will land leg kicks, take Procházka down, and grind out a win over three rounds. He notes Procházka's wildness could turn the fight, but Rakić's durability and grinding approach should prevail. Zane is hedging because he wants Procházka to win but feels Rakić is the safer bet.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 31 of 71 | 43% | 53 of 94 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 27 of 85 | 31% | 61 of 125 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 25 of 53 | 47% | 25 of 53 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 12 of 52 | 23% | 12 of 52 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 23 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 1 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 10 of 19 | 52% | 44 of 59 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:33 | |
| 3 | Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 5 of 15 | 33% | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:01 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 5 of 14 | 35% | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jan Błachowicz | 31 of 71 | 43% | 8 of 31 | 9 of 21 | 14 of 19 | 31 of 69 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 27 of 85 | 31% | 14 of 60 | 2 of 9 | 11 of 16 | 17 of 70 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 15 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jan Błachowicz | 25 of 53 | 47% | 7 of 24 | 6 of 14 | 12 of 15 | 25 of 51 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 12 of 52 | 23% | 1 of 32 | 1 of 8 | 10 of 12 | 12 of 52 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jan Błachowicz | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 1 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 10 of 19 | 52% | 10 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 10 of 15 | |
| 3 | Jan Błachowicz | 5 of 15 | 33% | 1 of 6 | 2 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 5 of 14 | 35% | 3 of 11 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 2 | 5 of 14 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogBETTING PREVIEW | SCOUTING REPORT | ODDS: Rakic (-180) Blachowicz (+155)
Round 1
For a probable light heavyweight title eliminator, the lead-up to this fight has been somewhat subdued, but none of that matters once the cage door closes on Blachowicz, Rakic and referee Mark Smith, who draws the final assignment at “UFC Vegas 54.” Both fighters are in orthodox stance. Blachowicz lands a hard calf kick. Blachowicz with a jab and missed right cross, then another low kick. They exchange flurries of punches. Blachowicz with a nice left to the body, but comes away bleeding from over the left eye. Blachowicz lands a low kick and another left to the body, but he is clearly distracted by blood dripping into the eye from that cut. Blachowicz catches Rakic with a right hand that rocks him, and Rakic grabs a body lock for a takedown. He can’t get it, but seems to have recovered as they disengage. Rakic steps inside a body shot and drops for a takedown, but can’t get it. Blachowicz comes up short with a calf kick at the 30 second mark. The horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Round 2
Blachowicz’s cutman has momentarily stopped the bleeding over the left eye, but that will certainly bear close watching as the fight goes on. The former champ lands a glancing low kick. Rakic drops levels for a takedown, and he gets it, hoisting the leg for a big finish, but dives right into a triangle choke. Blachowicz clears the arm and tries to cinch it up, but Rakic escapes and sets up in Blachowicz’s full guard. Blachowicz closes his guard and works to control Rakic’s wrists, while Rakic throws short elbow strikes to the body and head. As the halfway point of the round passes, Blachowicz briefly opens his guard and looks to hip out, but gives up on the attempt. Rakic is heavy on top, chest to chest, staying busy but not doing too much damage. They scoot to the fence and Blachowicz sits up, but Rakic has the legs laced and arms locked behind him. Rakic moves to one side and uses head position to pin Blachowicz’s torso up against the fence. Blachowicz stands just as the horn sounds.
Sherdog Scores
Ben Duffy scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 3
Rakic is active with his jab in the opening seconds, reaching out to touch Blachowicz twice and backing him off. Blachowicz steps in and lands a combination, then another Rakic jab dislodges his mouthpiece. He pops it back in, and seconds later he lands an outside low kick to Rakic’s lead left leg.
Rakic steps back and unexpectedly, the right leg buckles under him completely. The Austrian goes down in agony, cradling the stricken limb.
Blachowicz steps in, but sees the fight is over and refrains from inflicting any unnecessary harm. A moment later, referee Smith arrives to wave it off, a surprising and disappointing end to fight that had been building towards something good.
The Official Result
Jan Blachowicz def. Aleksandar Rakic R3 1:11 via TKO (Leg Injury)
Cody leans toward Rakić but is hesitant due to the price. He notes that Jan Błachowicz has a good body of work, striking, and takedown ability, but is concerned about a potential neck injury from the Glover fight. He thinks Rakić is young and hungry, but the value isn't there at -195, and he can't pull the trigger on the dog because he believes Jan is damaged goods.
Paul is undecided, calling it a dogger pass. He acknowledges a case for Rakić's wrestling not being tested and Jan's fantastic chin and cardio. He wants to wait for weigh-ins and interviews before making a pick. He leans toward Jan as a live dog if he drags Rakić into deep waters and takes him down multiple times.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 49 of 97 | 50% | 61 of 109 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 36 of 89 | 40% | 50 of 103 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 24 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:11 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 49 of 97 | 50% | 10 of 41 | 23 of 33 | 16 of 23 | 35 of 82 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 36 of 89 | 40% | 8 of 47 | 13 of 16 | 15 of 26 | 29 of 82 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 15 of 27 | 55% | 1 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 6 of 8 | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 14 of 30 | 46% | 3 of 16 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 11 of 31 | 35% | 3 of 16 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 25 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 15 of 35 | 42% | 3 of 17 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 28 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 23 of 39 | 58% | 6 of 17 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 10 | 15 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 7 of 24 | 29% | 2 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Officially the heaviest bout of the night at a solid 412 pounds, two light heavyweights who vastly prefer the knockout come to blows in the main card opener. Brazil’s Santos (21-8, 13-7 UFC) will be attempting to get back to title contention and defuse “Rocket” Rakic (13-2, 5-1 UFC) on the way back up. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Herb Dean, as fists and feet will soon be flying in all directions following the glove touch. Rakic slowly and patiently advances, sticking out his jab early and avoiding a counter right hook. Santos pushes out a front kick and lifts his leg to avoid a leg kick, and rushes in to attack. Rakic deflects the strikes and he takes a kick to the knee, but there is no major damage done. Both men score leg kicks, and Santos winds up on a big left hand. Rakic is able to avoid the bomb and throw a kick back, and Santos returns fire with one of his own. Rakic slings a head kick that the Brazilian is barely able to block in time. Santos delivers a big body kick and has one glance off his torso as he backs away. Santos once more scores a heavy body kick, and he takes a kick square on the knee that nearly makes it buckle. “Marreta” throws a hammer of a right hand that crashes into Rakic’s jaw, but the Austrian wears it well and kicks the leg on his way out. Rakic pressures forward and slaps a leg kick off the mark, and Santos replies with a kick. Santos swings with a massive left hand, and when it misses, he barely ducks a head kick that brushes past his cleanly shaven head. Santos whiffs on a massive punch to the body, but he does kick the body to make Rakic exhale sharply. Neither man is willing to pull the trigger on anything of note, and they trade leg kicks and body kicks. Santos jumps and misses with a flying knee, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 2
The light heavyweights touch gloves, and Rakic resumes his pressure to make Santos back away to the fence. Rakic sticks Santos with a low kick and a jab, and the Brazilian tries and fails to counter effectively. Santos comes up short on a superman punch, and he looses a head kick that Rakic easily blocks. Rakic slowly advances and throws a long left jab and a leg kick that makes Santos turn about. Santos responds with his own leg kick, but the two are largely throwing single strikes and not engaging often. Rakic chops at the leg, and Santos charges at him but hits air as he has his lead leg hacked at once more. Santos pushes into a clinch, and Rakic easily reverses him and lands a few knees on the inside. The Brazilian gives him a few back, as they stall out against the cage wall. Santos breaks and scores on the end of a left hook, and when he backs off, he checks a kick to make Rakic recoil it sharply. Rakic kicks the chest, and Santos gives Rakic a heavy reply with a slapping kick to the knee. Santos charges but pulls back before throwing a strike, and Rakic plants his left hand on the chin to no effect. Santos jumps in with a switch kick, but it gets blocked and he is countered with a stiff left hand. Rakic nails Santos with a flying knee, and the two clinch up to end the slow round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 3
There is a final glove touch to open the last round, and Rakic starts things off with a head kick that is easily blocked. Santos punches the thigh, and “Rocket” starts rocketing out several stiff jabs to keep Santos at bay. The Brazilian walks through them to charge in for a takedown, and Rakic stuffs it without breaking a sweat and turns Santos around into the wire. Santos fights out of the clinch but cannot land any of merit on the break, and he takes a jab to score a leg kick. Both men kick at one another’s knee, and Santos kicks the leg once more to draw a smile from his opponent. When Rakic rushes in, Santos belts him with a spinning back kick to the body, and Rakic keeps a solid poker face by not showing that it hurt. Rakic pokes and prods at Santos with a few jabs, one-twos and low kicks. Santos loads up on a head kick, and Rakic sees it coming and pays it no mind. Santos narrowly misses a blazing fast left hook, and Rakic tries to fire one back but also comes up short. Santos slams his shin into the body, and Rakic stays patient on the outside with sporadic jabs. The jab does enough to slow an advancing Santos, and Rakic makes Santos bounce off the cage wall with a kick. Rakic ducks an overhand left to shoot in for a takedown, and Santos defends with several elbows to the side of the head. Rakic does not like these strikes, and he bails on the attempt to put himself in a better position away from those damaging shots. Rakic grinds on Santos against the fence, mashing his man into the chain-link as precious seconds tick off the clock. The Brazilian finally pushes off, and he takes a hard leg kick on the inside. Santos comes back with one, and the two swing and miss until the tepid fight mercifully comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
The Official Result
Aleksandar Rakic def. Thiago Santos via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Aleksandar Rakić, favoring him on the feet and heavily on the ground. He notes Rakić has been dropped before (by Devin Clark) and is hittable, while Santos has one-shot power. He recommends a ground game plan and predicts a TKO ground-and-pound finish in the second round, but passes on betting.
Daniel picks Aleksandar Rakić to win, citing his well-rounded game, wrestling, and smart game planning. He notes Santos' submission defense issues and believes Rakić can mix in takedowns and possibly finish on the mat or win a decision.
Rakić is younger, stronger, and has a wrestling advantage. Santos is 37 with knee injuries and poor jiu-jitsu off his back. The host expects Rakić to use his kicks and takedowns to control the fight and win by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Aleksandar Rakić over Thiago Santos. He highlights Rakić's dangerous leg kicks and improved grappling, and notes Santos has no ligaments in his legs. He believes Rakić will chop at Santos's legs, inhibit his movement, and win by 30-27 unanimous decision, possibly mixing in takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 9 of 21 | 42% | 40 of 53 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:36 |
| Anthony Smith | 1 | 44 of 57 | 77% | 141 of 159 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 12:14 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 13 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:12 |
| Anthony Smith | 1 | 17 of 21 | 80% | 39 of 45 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 3:22 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 4 of 8 | 50% | 18 of 22 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:10 |
| Anthony Smith | 0 | 9 of 12 | 75% | 61 of 65 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:31 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 9 of 12 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:14 |
| Anthony Smith | 0 | 18 of 24 | 75% | 41 of 49 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 4:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 9 of 21 | 42% | 5 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 14 | 1 of 2 | 2 of 5 |
| Anthony Smith | 44 of 57 | 77% | 16 of 28 | 7 of 8 | 21 of 21 | 25 of 34 | 2 of 2 | 17 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 5 of 11 | 45% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 10 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Smith | 17 of 21 | 80% | 5 of 8 | 1 of 2 | 11 of 11 | 14 of 18 | 0 of 0 | 3 of 3 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 4 of 8 | 50% | 4 of 8 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 5 |
| Anthony Smith | 9 of 12 | 75% | 5 of 8 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 3 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Anthony Smith | 18 of 24 | 75% | 6 of 12 | 3 of 3 | 9 of 9 | 5 of 8 | 1 of 1 | 12 of 15 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We have reached the headliner a little earlier than expected thanks to the coronavirus, and this late-notice marquee matchup is scheduled for just three rounds at the light heavyweight division. Former title challenger Smith (33-15, 8-5 UFC) tries to put “Rocket” Rakic (12-2, 4-1 UFC) on his first career losing streak, and referee Herb Dean will be holding on tight for what could be an all-action fight – these two have only gone the distance seven times in 62 combined fights. They touch gloves, and it’s on! Like so many fights earlier tonight, the first strike of the bout is a leg kick – from Rakic. Smith replies in kind. Rakic loads up with one that lands with a resounding slap. Rakic takes one back, but he delivers a body kick to Smith’s midsection. They keep trading leg kicks early, and both men are putting everything they have into these thudding kicks. Rakic goes up high with a kick this time, and the two start trading with punches now. They kick legs at the same time, and Rakic cracks the lead leg and makes Smith’s knee buckle. Two more take Smith’s legs out from beneath him, and Rakic climbs on top to start pounding on Smith’s body. Smith pushes his way up and tries to take take the Austrian down, but as Smith ties him up, Rakic stands up. Smith leaps on to his back to serve as a backpack, but Rakic shucks him off and uses a guillotine choke to frame up. He bowls Smith over and hops on top, where he gets off a couple of punches as Smith clings to him to tie him up. Smith uses a butterfly guard to try to kick Rakic off, but opts to use a rubber guard and flirts with an omoplata before Rakic stands up out of it. The Austrian comes back down as Smith keeps a high guard, and Smith lifts his left leg up but abandons it when there is nothing doing. Smith looks to Dean for a standup, but it does not come as Rakic shoulder checks him a couple times. Smith swings hard with a left hand while is trapped against the cage, and Rakic smiles and lands a few punches until the horn blares. Any concerns about Smith’s leg health are instantly abated as he strides back to his corner.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 2
They touch gloves and Rakic instantly fires at that leg. Smith closes in and gets kneed in the face to back off. Rakic bestows to him a few body kicks, although Smith stings him back with a few punches. Smith crashes forward to pursue a body lock takedown, and Rakic reverses the position to throw Smith down and land on top in guard. “Rocket” stays busy on top with punches, and fights off a triangle choke attempt from Smith. Although the former title challenger attempts a few elbows while he has his back flat on the floor, Rakic’s strikes are more frequent and likely more impactful. Rakic keeps grinding him and is well out submission danger as precious seconds tick off the clock for Smith. “Lionheart” tries to push away with his toes in the fence, and Dean admonishes him for it, halting Smith from using the technique to turn around or attempt a submission. Smith manages to sit up as Rakic pounds on him, and there is no way up to his feet for Smith until the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 3
Rakic re-introduces himself in the round with a devastating leg kick, and Smith is already compromised. Rakic cracks him with a head kick and a few punches, and Smith is wobbling around the cage on baby deer legs. “Rocket” blasts in and knees him in the face, battering Smith against the fence. Smith tries to tie him up and take him down, and Rakic muscles him over and plants Smith on his back again. Dean asks for Rakic to work, as Rakic is just occasionally landing left hands on top while Smith is trapped in an odd position against the wall and ground. Rakic lands a heavy punch when Smith gets to his knees, and he knees Smith in the body a couple times. The Austrian keeps his full body weight pressed on Smith as he traps the former title challenger in a grounded position. Dean reminds Rakic that he needs to work, so Rakic obliges with a slow but steady diet of knees to the thigh to keep from standing them up. Smith powers up to a crouch, but Rakic tosses him back down with minimal effort. For the umpteenth time, Dean recommends that Rakic keep working, and he lands a few short punches and knees to little effect. Smith kicks him off with 10 seconds to go, and Rakic walks away while the clock is still ticking left with his hands in the air; unfortunately for Smith, he is too fatigued to do anything about it. Rakic turns back to him, and shrugs him off as he knows Smith cannot reach him before the disappointing round – and fight – ends. If it's any consolation, there is another UFC card next week.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic)
The Official Result
Aleksandar Rakic def. Anthony Smith via Unanimous Decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Rakić but thinks the line should be closer. He notes Rakić's superior striking volume and takedown defense, and expects him to win the first round strongly. He is concerned about Smith coming back too soon after a brutal beating, but acknowledges Smith's toughness and ability to take a shot. He predicts a decision win for Rakić.
Daniel Levi leans with Rakić, citing that Rakić is fresher, has more room for improvement, and will likely hit Smith with hard shots to the body and chin. He acknowledges Smith's experience and ability to come back late if Rakić fades, but believes the timing is right for Rakić. He also notes that Rakić was dropped by Devin Clark twice, which raises durability concerns, but still favors him.
Rakić is a strong wrestler with a top game that can crush Smith. Smith is good but not great at anything; Rakić should mix striking and grappling to control the fight. I expect a cautious approach leading to a decision win for Rakić, though the -275 line is a bit steep.
The host picks Aleksandar Rakić because the fight is only three rounds. He believes Rakić will outrange Smith with kicks and win the first two rounds comfortably, then survive the third. He notes Smith's wide stance leaves him open to leg kicks and body kicks, and that Smith has taken recent damage. He thinks if it were five rounds, Smith would win, but in three rounds Rakić's striking advantage prevails.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkan Oezdemir | 0 | 63 of 144 | 43% | 118 of 199 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:32 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 75 of 147 | 51% | 87 of 162 | 1 of 9 | 11% | 1 | 0 | 2:38 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkan Oezdemir | 0 | 12 of 39 | 30% | 19 of 46 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:29 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 23 of 47 | 48% | 24 of 49 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 1 | 0 | 0:47 | |
| 2 | Volkan Oezdemir | 0 | 21 of 40 | 52% | 42 of 61 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 22 of 39 | 56% | 28 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:31 | |
| 3 | Volkan Oezdemir | 0 | 30 of 65 | 46% | 57 of 92 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 30 of 61 | 49% | 35 of 68 | 0 of 3 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:20 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Volkan Oezdemir | 63 of 144 | 43% | 28 of 105 | 14 of 18 | 21 of 21 | 47 of 122 | 16 of 22 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 75 of 147 | 51% | 49 of 116 | 16 of 18 | 10 of 13 | 57 of 126 | 18 of 21 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Volkan Oezdemir | 12 of 39 | 30% | 4 of 30 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 6 | 8 of 32 | 4 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 23 of 47 | 48% | 12 of 35 | 9 of 9 | 2 of 3 | 17 of 40 | 6 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Volkan Oezdemir | 21 of 40 | 52% | 6 of 23 | 4 of 6 | 11 of 11 | 17 of 35 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 22 of 39 | 56% | 12 of 27 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 7 | 18 of 34 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Volkan Oezdemir | 30 of 65 | 46% | 18 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 4 | 22 of 55 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
| Aleksandar Rakić | 30 of 61 | 49% | 25 of 54 | 3 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 22 of 52 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Rakic comes out with power punches immediately before transitioning to a guillotine. He puts on the squeeze for a few seconds before Oezdemir escapes. They continue to jockey for position against the fence. Both men swing wildly on the break. A hard body kick lands for Rakic, but Oezdemir pressures, swinging heavy leather. Nothing connects. A short left lands for Oezdemir. Oezdemir moves in but he is countered by Rakic. Rakic goes low for a single leg, dodges a punch and trips the Swiss fighter to the canvas. Rakic maintains a body lock as Oezdemir returns to his feet. Rakic presses Oezdmir into the fence and absorbs some elbows to the side of the head. Oezdemir lands a knee and they separate with heavy punches. Rakic lands an uppercut-left hook combination. The light heavyweights trade low kicks. A right from Rakic counters an Oezdemir flying knee and the round ends. 10-9 Rakic.
Round 2
Oezdemir with a hard low kick to begin. Rakic answers with one of his own. A right hand snaps Oezdemir’s head back. Rakic has some unusual swelling below the knee on his left leg as a result of the low kicks. Rakic throws a left high kick that lands on the chest of his opponent. Raick with a glancing right hand and then he tries for a single leg, attacking with punches as Oezdemir attempts to escape. Rakic presses Oezdemir into the fence and Oezdemir lands some elbows to the side of the head. Rakic lands a short right hook on the break. Rakic catches a low kick, but he can’t do anything with it as Oezdemir demonstrates good balance. Rakic jabs and avoids the follow-up offering from Oezdemir. Oezdemir kicks at the leg of Rakic again. Rakic with an inside leg kick. Oezdemir steps in with a punch to the body. Oezdemir taunts Rakic with hands open, but Rakic doesn’t engage in a brawl at the end of the frame. 10-9 Rakic.
Round 3
Rakic lands an uppercut in an exchange. Rakic counters with his back to the fence and then secures a body lock. The Austrian presses Oezdemir into the cage. The light heavyweights trade big punches on the break. Another low kick from Oezdemir. Rakic lands a left jab. A right uppercut momentarily backs up Oezdemir. Rakic tries for a takedown but Oezdemir shrugs him off. A short left hook is clean for Rakic. Rakic jabs to the body and then throws a right hand. Oezdemir ties up his foe and lands an uppercut and knee in close. Rakic lands a right and Oezdemir nods him on. Rakic blocks a high kick. Rakic changes levels but Oezdemir defends the takedown, landing elbows with his back to the fence. Rakic hangs on as time winds dow. Oezdemir lands some more short elbows and they separate before the horn. 10-9 Rakic (30-27 Rakic).
The Official Result
Volkan Oezdemir def. Aleksandar Rakic via Split Decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00
Thiago Santos - Fight History
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamahal Hill | 0 | 53 of 94 | 56% | 56 of 98 | 6 of 20 | 30% | 0 | 0 | 5:54 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 89 of 152 | 58% | 130 of 194 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:26 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 10 of 18 | 55% | 11 of 19 | 0 of 4 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:23 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 9 of 30 | 30% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 16 of 38 | 42% | 16 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 25% | 0 | 0 | 0:41 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 31 of 52 | 59% | 35 of 56 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:22 | |
| 3 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 8 of 11 | 72% | 10 of 14 | 5 of 11 | 45% | 0 | 0 | 3:50 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 9 of 11 | 81% | 23 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:33 | |
| 4 | Jamahal Hill | 0 | 19 of 27 | 70% | 19 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 40 of 59 | 67% | 54 of 73 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:31 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jamahal Hill | 53 of 94 | 56% | 28 of 66 | 13 of 16 | 12 of 12 | 43 of 82 | 8 of 9 | 2 of 3 |
| Thiago Santos | 89 of 152 | 58% | 68 of 131 | 12 of 12 | 9 of 9 | 52 of 107 | 19 of 21 | 18 of 24 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jamahal Hill | 10 of 18 | 55% | 1 of 8 | 3 of 4 | 6 of 6 | 9 of 17 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 9 of 30 | 30% | 5 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 26 | 4 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jamahal Hill | 16 of 38 | 42% | 9 of 29 | 5 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 14 of 35 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 1 |
| Thiago Santos | 31 of 52 | 59% | 19 of 40 | 5 of 5 | 7 of 7 | 28 of 48 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jamahal Hill | 8 of 11 | 72% | 6 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 1 of 1 | 3 of 6 | 3 of 3 | 2 of 2 |
| Thiago Santos | 9 of 11 | 81% | 5 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 4 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jamahal Hill | 19 of 27 | 70% | 12 of 20 | 4 of 4 | 3 of 3 | 17 of 24 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 40 of 59 | 67% | 39 of 58 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 17 of 29 | 5 of 6 | 18 of 24 |
Angelo picks Jamahal Hill, citing Thiago Santos's decline in power and speed since his injuries. He notes Hill's excellent striking differential and accuracy, and believes he can outpoint Santos. However, he acknowledges Santos's durability and championship-round experience, leaving some uncertainty if the fight goes deep. He cannot bet on 'survive logic' and sticks with Hill.
Big Brady picks Jamahal Hill, noting his high volume and power compared to Thiago Santos, who has been low-volume and inactive in his recent fights. He acknowledges Santos's power and the fact that Hill is hittable, but believes Hill's pressure and output will overwhelm Santos. He predicts a second or third-round knockout win for Hill, expressing hope that Hill makes it exciting after Santos's recent boring performances.
Cody also picks Hill, citing Santos's decline since the Jones fight and his knee injuries. He notes that Santos has become a shell of himself, with low output and a tendency to wait for counters. Cody believes Hill's length, southpaw stance, and left hand will be key, and that Hill can carry his power into later rounds. He predicts a late stoppage or decision for Hill.
Daniel Levi picks Jamahal Hill, citing his superior output (nearly double Santos's), power, and heart. He notes Hill's ability to fight in the pocket and force Santos to engage, while Santos has declined since knee surgeries and lacks the output to keep up. Levi is concerned about Santos's power and opportunistic hooks but believes Hill's durability and pace will prevail. He parlayed Hill with Oleksiejczuk to win 2 units.
Paul picks Jamahal Hill, noting that Hill is too fast for Thiago Santos. He points out that Santos has been in a decline since his fight with Jon Jones, with knee injuries and poor performances. Paul is concerned about the -315 price but still sees Hill as the rightful favorite. He mentions that Hill's speed and power should be enough to win, possibly by late stoppage or decision.
The MMA Guru picks Jamahal Hill by second-round TKO. He notes Santos's age (38) and lack of leg kicks since injury. He believes Hill's rangy punching and pressure will be effective, and compares to David Branch's KO of Santos. He expects Hill to land a one-two against the cage after a competitive first round.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | 1 | 60 of 138 | 43% | 81 of 160 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 78 of 155 | 50% | 114 of 191 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 3:35 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 10 of 21 | 47% | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 8 of 23 | 34% | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Magomed Ankalaev | 1 | 15 of 36 | 41% | 18 of 39 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:17 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 15 of 32 | 46% | 15 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 18 of 30 | 60% | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 19 of 31 | 61% | 19 of 31 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 10 of 32 | 31% | 16 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 21 of 48 | 43% | 36 of 63 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:56 | |
| 5 | Magomed Ankalaev | 0 | 7 of 19 | 36% | 19 of 32 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 15 of 21 | 71% | 36 of 42 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:39 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Magomed Ankalaev | 60 of 138 | 43% | 14 of 75 | 16 of 26 | 30 of 37 | 57 of 135 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 |
| Thiago Santos | 78 of 155 | 50% | 33 of 94 | 35 of 51 | 10 of 10 | 64 of 140 | 12 of 13 | 2 of 2 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Magomed Ankalaev | 10 of 21 | 47% | 0 of 6 | 3 of 6 | 7 of 9 | 10 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 8 of 23 | 34% | 3 of 13 | 4 of 9 | 1 of 1 | 8 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Magomed Ankalaev | 15 of 36 | 41% | 7 of 22 | 3 of 6 | 5 of 8 | 13 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 2 |
| Thiago Santos | 15 of 32 | 46% | 6 of 18 | 6 of 11 | 3 of 3 | 14 of 31 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Magomed Ankalaev | 18 of 30 | 60% | 2 of 13 | 4 of 4 | 12 of 13 | 18 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 19 of 31 | 61% | 7 of 17 | 7 of 9 | 5 of 5 | 18 of 30 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Magomed Ankalaev | 10 of 32 | 31% | 4 of 23 | 4 of 7 | 2 of 2 | 10 of 32 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 21 of 48 | 43% | 13 of 38 | 8 of 10 | 0 of 0 | 18 of 45 | 1 of 1 | 2 of 2 | |
| 5 | Magomed Ankalaev | 7 of 19 | 36% | 1 of 11 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 6 of 18 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 15 of 21 | 71% | 4 of 8 | 10 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 6 of 11 | 9 of 10 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Magomed Ankalaev, noting that Thiago Santos has slowed down at 38 and is not the same fighter who knocked out Jan Blachowicz. He believes Ankalaev's forward pressure, heavy kicks, and constant takedown threats will be too much. He expects a one-sided win, though not necessarily a stoppage.
Big Brady picks Magomed Ankalaev to win by decision. He notes Santos is 38, looks washed, has low volume (44 strikes in 25 minutes vs Walker), and has never recovered from his knee injuries after the Jones fight. He thinks Ankalaev is well-rounded, has power, and will outpoint Santos easily over five rounds. He expects the fight to be somewhat uneventful but Ankalaev will dominate. He mentions the line has moved from -330 to -500.
Cody is confident in Ankalaev, citing his pace, cardio, chin, and improved striking. He notes Santos is 38, has declined since knee surgery, and lacks volume. Cody sees Ankalaev as the best at 205 and expects him to win via pressure and volume, possibly a late stoppage. He mentions a parlay with Murzakanov at -106.
Daniel Levi picks Magomed Ankalaev to win, citing Ankalaev's upward trajectory and the emergence of a new era of light heavyweights. He notes that Thiago Santos has had lackluster performances since the Jon Jones fight, with his knees falling apart. Levi expects a chess match early but sees Ankalaev landing a big counter or takedown with ground and pound. He acknowledges Santos's power but believes Ankalaev's counters are sharp and that he will eventually get a title shot.
Ankalaev is seen as the uncrowned champ, with a seven-fight win streak and granite chin. He's a technical striker with high striking defense, and his ability to adjust mid-fight is praised. Santos is past his prime at 38, with ACL surgery and tentative performances. Ankalaev is expected to win via decision, possibly a one-sided chess match.
Paul echoes Cody's view, emphasizing Santos' decline and Ankalaev's advantages in speed, volume, and wrestling. He notes the price is high but believes Ankalaev is the best in the division. He also mentions a parlay with Murzakanov.
The MMA Guru picks Magomed Ankalaev over Thiago Santos, citing Santos' hesitancy and lack of ligaments in his leg. He believes Ankalaev will chop at the legs early, mix in takedowns, and expose Santos' poor ground game as Glover Teixeira did. He expects a late second-round ground-and-pound TKO, noting that Ankalaev's patient counter-striking style works well against Santos. He admits Santos is a decent underdog but says the odds won't sway him, as Ankalaev wins this fight seven or eight times out of ten.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 44 of 105 | 41% | 44 of 105 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 48 of 130 | 36% | 48 of 130 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 3 of 13 | 23% | 3 of 13 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 9 of 15 | 60% | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 11 of 22 | 50% | 11 of 22 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 10 of 20 | 50% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 11 of 25 | 44% | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 10 of 25 | 40% | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 9 of 22 | 40% | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 11 of 41 | 26% | 11 of 41 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 10 of 23 | 43% | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Johnny Walker | 0 | 8 of 29 | 27% | 8 of 29 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 44 of 105 | 41% | 9 of 40 | 16 of 28 | 19 of 37 | 42 of 103 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 48 of 130 | 36% | 7 of 55 | 9 of 20 | 32 of 55 | 46 of 127 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 3 of 13 | 23% | 0 of 6 | 1 of 4 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 13 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 9 of 15 | 60% | 0 of 2 | 1 of 3 | 8 of 10 | 9 of 15 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 11 of 22 | 50% | 2 of 5 | 6 of 8 | 3 of 9 | 9 of 20 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 10 of 20 | 50% | 2 of 6 | 2 of 3 | 6 of 11 | 8 of 17 | 2 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Thiago Santos | 11 of 25 | 44% | 2 of 10 | 1 of 4 | 8 of 11 | 11 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 10 of 25 | 40% | 2 of 10 | 2 of 6 | 6 of 9 | 10 of 25 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Thiago Santos | 9 of 22 | 40% | 2 of 9 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 7 | 9 of 22 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 11 of 41 | 26% | 1 of 22 | 2 of 3 | 8 of 16 | 11 of 41 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Thiago Santos | 10 of 23 | 43% | 3 of 10 | 4 of 6 | 3 of 7 | 10 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Johnny Walker | 8 of 29 | 27% | 2 of 15 | 2 of 5 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 29 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Angelo picks Johnny Walker, expecting his forward pressure, craziness, and size to frustrate Thiago Santos, who is a shell of his former self after knee injuries and three straight losses. He notes that Santos has massive power and could knock anyone out, but his cardio suffers and he may be gun-shy. Walker is never afraid to throw and will stay busy. Angelo likes Walker at plus 145 moneyline and in DraftKings at $7,400. He also likes the over on rounds and the more more monkey knife fight pick.
Big Brady picks Thiago Santos to win, citing his experience, better competition, and more paths to victory. He notes Santos has fought Jon Jones, Glover Teixeira, and Rakic, while Walker's best wins are over lesser competition. Walker is very hittable (31% striking defense) and chinny, while Santos hits hard. Santos has better cardio, having gone five rounds with Jones, while Walker fades after the first round. Brady suggests a ground game path for Santos, similar to his win over Kevin Holland. He recommends a violence play rather than the moneyline.
Cody picks Thiago Santos based on superior experience and durability. He notes that Santos has slowed down and his knees are shot, but he still hits hard and can drag the fight into later rounds. He expects Santos to survive Walker's early explosiveness and then pressure him, eventually landing a finish in the second, third, or fourth round. He highlights that Santos outstruck Alexander Rakic in their fight and has better cardio than Walker, who has never gone five rounds.
Daniel Levi picks Johnny Walker as the underdog, citing that both fighters have declined since their surgeries—Santos after ACL surgery and Walker after shoulder injury. He notes Walker's dynamic striking and finishing ability but acknowledges his poor durability and tendency to flop when hit. Levi believes the fight is a coin flip about who lands first, but he leans Walker because of motivation concerns for the nearly 40-year-old Santos with a baby on the way. He expects a knockout either way and takes the underdog.
I think Santos is the more disciplined striker and should be able to counter Walker's wildness. Walker is explosive but hittable and has poor durability. However, I'm concerned about Santos's recent performances and knee surgeries. I like Santos inside the distance at -120 and also like the under 1.5 rounds. I'm picking Santos but not with high confidence.
Paul agrees with Cody, picking Santos but with less confidence. He notes that Walker is dangerous early but has never gone five rounds and his cardio is suspect. He believes Santos's chin holds up better at 205 and that Walker's grappling is not a major concern. He does not have a bet on Santos straight up but suggests looking at live betting after the first round if Santos survives.
The MMA Guru picks Thiago Santos, despite rooting for Johnny Walker. He notes Santos' check hook is his best weapon and Walker leaves himself open when rushing in. Walker has been KO'd in most of his losses by rushing in. Santos has five-round experience and still has power. He predicts Santos will catch Walker with a check hook and finish him by KO.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 49 of 97 | 50% | 61 of 109 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 36 of 89 | 40% | 50 of 103 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:32 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 15 of 27 | 55% | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 14 of 30 | 46% | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 11 of 31 | 35% | 18 of 38 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 15 of 35 | 42% | 24 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:11 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 0 | 23 of 39 | 58% | 28 of 44 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 7 of 24 | 29% | 12 of 29 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 1:21 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Aleksandar Rakić | 49 of 97 | 50% | 10 of 41 | 23 of 33 | 16 of 23 | 35 of 82 | 14 of 15 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 36 of 89 | 40% | 8 of 47 | 13 of 16 | 15 of 26 | 29 of 82 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Aleksandar Rakić | 15 of 27 | 55% | 1 of 8 | 8 of 11 | 6 of 8 | 15 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 14 of 30 | 46% | 3 of 16 | 3 of 4 | 8 of 10 | 14 of 30 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Aleksandar Rakić | 11 of 31 | 35% | 3 of 16 | 6 of 10 | 2 of 5 | 5 of 25 | 6 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 15 of 35 | 42% | 3 of 17 | 8 of 9 | 4 of 9 | 8 of 28 | 7 of 7 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Aleksandar Rakić | 23 of 39 | 58% | 6 of 17 | 9 of 12 | 8 of 10 | 15 of 30 | 8 of 9 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 7 of 24 | 29% | 2 of 14 | 2 of 3 | 3 of 7 | 7 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
Officially the heaviest bout of the night at a solid 412 pounds, two light heavyweights who vastly prefer the knockout come to blows in the main card opener. Brazil’s Santos (21-8, 13-7 UFC) will be attempting to get back to title contention and defuse “Rocket” Rakic (13-2, 5-1 UFC) on the way back up. Keeping his head on a swivel will be referee Herb Dean, as fists and feet will soon be flying in all directions following the glove touch. Rakic slowly and patiently advances, sticking out his jab early and avoiding a counter right hook. Santos pushes out a front kick and lifts his leg to avoid a leg kick, and rushes in to attack. Rakic deflects the strikes and he takes a kick to the knee, but there is no major damage done. Both men score leg kicks, and Santos winds up on a big left hand. Rakic is able to avoid the bomb and throw a kick back, and Santos returns fire with one of his own. Rakic slings a head kick that the Brazilian is barely able to block in time. Santos delivers a big body kick and has one glance off his torso as he backs away. Santos once more scores a heavy body kick, and he takes a kick square on the knee that nearly makes it buckle. “Marreta” throws a hammer of a right hand that crashes into Rakic’s jaw, but the Austrian wears it well and kicks the leg on his way out. Rakic pressures forward and slaps a leg kick off the mark, and Santos replies with a kick. Santos swings with a massive left hand, and when it misses, he barely ducks a head kick that brushes past his cleanly shaven head. Santos whiffs on a massive punch to the body, but he does kick the body to make Rakic exhale sharply. Neither man is willing to pull the trigger on anything of note, and they trade leg kicks and body kicks. Santos jumps and misses with a flying knee, and the round ends.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 2
The light heavyweights touch gloves, and Rakic resumes his pressure to make Santos back away to the fence. Rakic sticks Santos with a low kick and a jab, and the Brazilian tries and fails to counter effectively. Santos comes up short on a superman punch, and he looses a head kick that Rakic easily blocks. Rakic slowly advances and throws a long left jab and a leg kick that makes Santos turn about. Santos responds with his own leg kick, but the two are largely throwing single strikes and not engaging often. Rakic chops at the leg, and Santos charges at him but hits air as he has his lead leg hacked at once more. Santos pushes into a clinch, and Rakic easily reverses him and lands a few knees on the inside. The Brazilian gives him a few back, as they stall out against the cage wall. Santos breaks and scores on the end of a left hook, and when he backs off, he checks a kick to make Rakic recoil it sharply. Rakic kicks the chest, and Santos gives Rakic a heavy reply with a slapping kick to the knee. Santos charges but pulls back before throwing a strike, and Rakic plants his left hand on the chin to no effect. Santos jumps in with a switch kick, but it gets blocked and he is countered with a stiff left hand. Rakic nails Santos with a flying knee, and the two clinch up to end the slow round.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Rakic
Round 3
There is a final glove touch to open the last round, and Rakic starts things off with a head kick that is easily blocked. Santos punches the thigh, and “Rocket” starts rocketing out several stiff jabs to keep Santos at bay. The Brazilian walks through them to charge in for a takedown, and Rakic stuffs it without breaking a sweat and turns Santos around into the wire. Santos fights out of the clinch but cannot land any of merit on the break, and he takes a jab to score a leg kick. Both men kick at one another’s knee, and Santos kicks the leg once more to draw a smile from his opponent. When Rakic rushes in, Santos belts him with a spinning back kick to the body, and Rakic keeps a solid poker face by not showing that it hurt. Rakic pokes and prods at Santos with a few jabs, one-twos and low kicks. Santos loads up on a head kick, and Rakic sees it coming and pays it no mind. Santos narrowly misses a blazing fast left hook, and Rakic tries to fire one back but also comes up short. Santos slams his shin into the body, and Rakic stays patient on the outside with sporadic jabs. The jab does enough to slow an advancing Santos, and Rakic makes Santos bounce off the cage wall with a kick. Rakic ducks an overhand left to shoot in for a takedown, and Santos defends with several elbows to the side of the head. Rakic does not like these strikes, and he bails on the attempt to put himself in a better position away from those damaging shots. Rakic grinds on Santos against the fence, mashing his man into the chain-link as precious seconds tick off the clock. The Brazilian finally pushes off, and he takes a hard leg kick on the inside. Santos comes back with one, and the two swing and miss until the tepid fight mercifully comes to a close.
Sherdog Scores
Jay Pettry scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
Brian Knapp scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
Tristen Critchfield scores the round: 10-9 Santos (29-28 Rakic)
The Official Result
Aleksandar Rakic def. Thiago Santos via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 30-27)
Big Brady picks Aleksandar Rakić, favoring him on the feet and heavily on the ground. He notes Rakić has been dropped before (by Devin Clark) and is hittable, while Santos has one-shot power. He recommends a ground game plan and predicts a TKO ground-and-pound finish in the second round, but passes on betting.
Daniel picks Aleksandar Rakić to win, citing his well-rounded game, wrestling, and smart game planning. He notes Santos' submission defense issues and believes Rakić can mix in takedowns and possibly finish on the mat or win a decision.
Rakić is younger, stronger, and has a wrestling advantage. Santos is 37 with knee injuries and poor jiu-jitsu off his back. The host expects Rakić to use his kicks and takedowns to control the fight and win by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Aleksandar Rakić over Thiago Santos. He highlights Rakić's dangerous leg kicks and improved grappling, and notes Santos has no ligaments in his legs. He believes Rakić will chop at Santos's legs, inhibit his movement, and win by 30-27 unanimous decision, possibly mixing in takedowns.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glover Teixeira | 1 | 40 of 64 | 62% | 81 of 109 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:18 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 46 of 63 | 73% | 148 of 180 | 4 of 7 | 57% | 2 | 0 | 9:03 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glover Teixeira | 0 | 15 of 24 | 62% | 40 of 52 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:04 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 20 of 27 | 74% | 77 of 87 | 2 of 4 | 50% | 0 | 0 | 4:02 | |
| 2 | Glover Teixeira | 0 | 3 of 7 | 42% | 9 of 14 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 22 of 31 | 70% | 58 of 78 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 1 | 0 | 4:39 | |
| 3 | Glover Teixeira | 1 | 22 of 33 | 66% | 32 of 43 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 1:14 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 4 of 5 | 80% | 13 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 50% | 1 | 0 | 0:22 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Glover Teixeira | 40 of 64 | 62% | 38 of 58 | 0 of 4 | 2 of 2 | 11 of 24 | 0 of 0 | 29 of 40 |
| Thiago Santos | 46 of 63 | 73% | 46 of 63 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 44 of 58 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Glover Teixeira | 15 of 24 | 62% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 8 |
| Thiago Santos | 20 of 27 | 74% | 20 of 27 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 19 of 24 | |
| 2 | Glover Teixeira | 3 of 7 | 42% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 2 | 2 of 2 | 2 of 6 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 |
| Thiago Santos | 22 of 31 | 70% | 22 of 31 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 30 | |
| 3 | Glover Teixeira | 22 of 33 | 66% | 22 of 32 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 21 of 31 |
| Thiago Santos | 4 of 5 | 80% | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 4 of 4 |
Big Brady picks Teixeira as an underdog, citing Santos' injury layoff and questionable losses. He thinks Teixeira has more paths to victory, including takedowns and submissions. He notes Teixeira's recent form and improved conditioning.
Daniel Levi leans toward Glover Teixeira as a betting pick, despite acknowledging Thiago Santos should be the favorite. He believes Teixeira's ground game is a huge edge; if he gets Santos down, the fight is likely over via submission. Levi notes that Santos is explosive and powerful on the feet, and Teixeira has been wobbled before, but he thinks Teixeira can take him down and submit him. He calls it a 'dog or pass' situation and picks Teixeira at plus money.
The host is very confident in Glover Teixeira at plus money, citing Thiago Santos coming off a severe ACL injury and a 16-month layoff. He believes Glover's durability, top pressure, and jiu-jitsu will be too much, especially in a five-round fight where Glover can drown Santos. He notes that Santos is not a one-punch knockout artist and that Glover has only been finished once in 3.5 years. He plans to wait for a better line, expecting it to reach +200.
The MMA Guru picks Thiago Santos to win by first-round TKO. He believes Santos is too dangerous in the first round and Teixeira has a habit of getting cracked early. He notes Santos's power and cardio, and that Teixeira cannot afford to take the same shots he took against lesser opponents.
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | 0 | 59 of 90 | 65% | 59 of 90 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 43 of 166 | 25% | 43 of 166 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Jones | 0 | 7 of 16 | 43% | 7 of 16 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 11 of 26 | 42% | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Jon Jones | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 7 of 42 | 16% | 7 of 42 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Jon Jones | 0 | 14 of 19 | 73% | 14 of 19 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 6 of 33 | 18% | 6 of 33 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 4 | Jon Jones | 0 | 11 of 17 | 64% | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 8 of 28 | 28% | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 5 | Jon Jones | 0 | 16 of 21 | 76% | 16 of 21 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 11 of 37 | 29% | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Jon Jones | 59 of 90 | 65% | 11 of 32 | 16 of 19 | 32 of 39 | 55 of 84 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 43 of 166 | 25% | 9 of 92 | 7 of 21 | 27 of 53 | 42 of 159 | 1 of 7 | 0 of 0 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Jon Jones | 7 of 16 | 43% | 0 of 4 | 3 of 5 | 4 of 7 | 7 of 16 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 11 of 26 | 42% | 3 of 12 | 1 of 1 | 7 of 13 | 11 of 26 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Jon Jones | 11 of 17 | 64% | 2 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 5 of 6 | 10 of 15 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 7 of 42 | 16% | 1 of 25 | 2 of 6 | 4 of 11 | 6 of 38 | 1 of 4 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Jon Jones | 14 of 19 | 73% | 4 of 7 | 4 of 4 | 6 of 8 | 11 of 15 | 3 of 4 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 6 of 33 | 18% | 1 of 17 | 1 of 6 | 4 of 10 | 6 of 30 | 0 of 3 | 0 of 0 | |
| 4 | Jon Jones | 11 of 17 | 64% | 2 of 7 | 2 of 3 | 7 of 7 | 11 of 17 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 8 of 28 | 28% | 0 of 13 | 1 of 5 | 7 of 10 | 8 of 28 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 5 | Jon Jones | 16 of 21 | 76% | 3 of 7 | 3 of 3 | 10 of 11 | 16 of 21 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Thiago Santos | 11 of 37 | 29% | 4 of 25 | 2 of 3 | 5 of 9 | 11 of 37 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 20 of 53 | 37% | 20 of 53 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 1 | 52 of 104 | 50% | 52 of 104 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 7 of 27 | 25% | 7 of 27 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:05 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 22 of 44 | 50% | 22 of 44 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 12 of 23 | 52% | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 0 | 13 of 34 | 38% | 13 of 34 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 | |
| 3 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:00 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 1 | 17 of 26 | 65% | 17 of 26 | 1 of 1 | 100% | 0 | 0 | 0:08 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 20 of 53 | 37% | 7 of 31 | 6 of 12 | 7 of 10 | 19 of 51 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 52 of 104 | 50% | 21 of 58 | 5 of 10 | 26 of 36 | 38 of 82 | 1 of 1 | 13 of 21 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 7 of 27 | 25% | 3 of 16 | 2 of 7 | 2 of 4 | 6 of 25 | 1 of 2 | 0 of 0 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 22 of 44 | 50% | 4 of 19 | 4 of 7 | 14 of 18 | 21 of 43 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 12 of 23 | 52% | 3 of 12 | 4 of 5 | 5 of 6 | 12 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 13 of 34 | 38% | 2 of 16 | 1 of 3 | 10 of 15 | 13 of 34 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | |
| 3 | Thiago Santos | 1 of 3 | 33% | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 3 | 0 of 0 | 0 of 0 |
| Jan Błachowicz | 17 of 26 | 65% | 15 of 23 | 0 of 0 | 2 of 3 | 4 of 5 | 0 of 0 | 13 of 21 |
Play-by-Play
View on SherdogRound 1
We’ve finally arrived at the main event, a five-round fight between top light heavyweight contenders Jan Blachowicz and Thiago Santos. Herb Dean is the referee for this main event. They touch gloves. Santos with a body kick. Blachowicz lands a beautiful jab. Blachowicz just misses a high kick, but he lands a body kick for good measure. They exchange heavy low kicks. Blachowicz lands another jab and Santos returns with a low kick. Blachowicz lands a heavy low kick of his own. Santos returns a low kick now. Blachowicz lands a jab but Santos returns with a heavy counter right cross. Blachowicz lands another low kick. Santos lands a heavy left hook but Blachowicz eats it. Santos lands a low kick but Blachowicz catches the kick and nearly lands a double leg takedown. Santos stuffs it and they break. They exchange low kicks and the round is over.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 2
Round two starts. Blachowicz lands a low kick, and then a body kick. They continue to exchange low kicks. Santos moves in for a clubbing left hand but Blachowicz moves away. Blachowicz lands a nice body kick, and then a hard low kick. Blachowicz lands an overhand right and then follows it up with a kick to the body. Santos with a low kick. He just misses a spinning wheel kick as Blachowicz circles away. Blachowicz leads with the uppercut but Santos circles away from danger. Blachowicz with the jab and Santos returns fire with a low kick. Blachowicz lands a low kick of his own. Santos just misses landing a huge left hook. Blachowicz lands another low kick. Santos nearly lands a straight left but Blachowicz backs away. The 10-second clapper rings and the round is soon over.
Sherdog Scores
Adam Martin scores the round: 10-9 Santos
John Brannigan scores the round: 10-9 Blachowicz
Tyler Treese scores the round: 10-9 Santos
Round 3
Time for the third round. Santos starts off with a low kick.
Blachowicz charges in with his chin down and Santos lands a right hook and then a brutal left hook that drops him. Blachowicz is down on the mat and Santos is pounding away at the head of Blachowicz, who is trying his best to cover up. Santos keeps pounding away and the referee has seen enough and the fight is over
. Huge win for Santos.
The Official Result
Thiago Santos def. Jan Blachowicz via TKO (Punches) R3, 0:39
Totals
| Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 0 | 27 of 42 | 64% | 30 of 45 | 0 of 2 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:25 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 2 | 42 of 74 | 56% | 65 of 97 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:19 |
Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | KD | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Total Str. | TD | TD % | Sub. Att | Rev. | Ctrl |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 26 of 36 | 72% | 29 of 39 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 2:23 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 1 | 33 of 55 | 60% | 55 of 77 | 1 of 3 | 33% | 0 | 0 | 1:16 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 0 | 1 of 6 | 16% | 1 of 6 | 0 of 1 | 0% | 0 | 0 | 0:02 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 1 | 9 of 19 | 47% | 10 of 20 | 0 of 0 | --- | 0 | 0 | 0:03 |
Significant Strikes
| Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Thiago Santos | 27 of 42 | 64% | 15 of 30 | 12 of 12 | 0 of 0 | 8 of 20 | 17 of 19 | 2 of 3 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 42 of 74 | 56% | 27 of 58 | 13 of 14 | 2 of 2 | 20 of 45 | 22 of 28 | 0 of 1 |
Significant Strikes Per Round
| Rd | Fighter | Sig. Str. | Sig. Str. % | Head | Body | Leg | Distance | Clinch | Ground |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | Thiago Santos | 26 of 36 | 72% | 15 of 25 | 11 of 11 | 0 of 0 | 7 of 15 | 17 of 18 | 2 of 3 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 33 of 55 | 60% | 20 of 41 | 11 of 12 | 2 of 2 | 15 of 32 | 18 of 22 | 0 of 1 | |
| 2 | Thiago Santos | 1 of 6 | 16% | 0 of 5 | 1 of 1 | 0 of 0 | 1 of 5 | 0 of 1 | 0 of 0 |
| Jimi Manuwa | 9 of 19 | 47% | 7 of 17 | 2 of 2 | 0 of 0 | 5 of 13 | 4 of 6 | 0 of 0 |
Expert Picks (4)
Big Brady picks Aleksandar Rakić, favoring him on the feet and heavily on the ground. He notes Rakić has been dropped before (by Devin Clark) and is hittable, while Santos has one-shot power. He recommends a ground game plan and predicts a TKO ground-and-pound finish in the second round, but passes on betting.
Daniel picks Aleksandar Rakić to win, citing his well-rounded game, wrestling, and smart game planning. He notes Santos' submission defense issues and believes Rakić can mix in takedowns and possibly finish on the mat or win a decision.
Rakić is younger, stronger, and has a wrestling advantage. Santos is 37 with knee injuries and poor jiu-jitsu off his back. The host expects Rakić to use his kicks and takedowns to control the fight and win by decision.
The MMA Guru picks Aleksandar Rakić over Thiago Santos. He highlights Rakić's dangerous leg kicks and improved grappling, and notes Santos has no ligaments in his legs. He believes Rakić will chop at Santos's legs, inhibit his movement, and win by 30-27 unanimous decision, possibly mixing in takedowns.
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