Aleksandar Rakić Is Going To Be ‘Right On Point’ For Jan Blachowicz

Aleksandar Rakić is looking forward to cementing his status as the top contender.

Rakić talked about his next fight with Polish power Jan Blachowicz, his training with Khamzat Chimaev and his disagreement with previous opponent Anthony Smith.

“I’m thinking that he’s gonna come with the extra motivation to our fight and to be a better version, you know. To beat a guy even more hungry than before and more willing to get the belt back, it’s gonna be awesome,” Rakić told MMA News.

“He was already on the top; he knew how it feels. I was never on the top and I was never a champion. So I am much hungrier than him, that I can say.”

Rakić has been on the sidelines for far longer than he would have liked, but it looks he will have a chance to make a statement when he returns to competition in the first quarter of 2022. The Serbian last fought in the octagon in March when he won a unanimous decision over former championship challenger Thiago Santos.

After challenges to fellow top-five Jiří Procházka went unanswered and a possible rematch with Anthony Smith fell through due to an injury, Rakic’s next appearance was eventually announced.

He’s facing European rival, Blachowicz, in the main event of a UFC Fight Night on March 26.

While Rakic has been brilliant in his UFC career to start, most think he should be unblemished at 7-0.

Blachowicz had undergone an unexpected comeback and title reign before relinquishing his championship to Glover Teixeira at UFC 267.

He became champion by overcoming Dominick Reyes last year and successfully defending his title against middleweight champion Israel Adesanya – his first loss of his UFC career.

Rakić is aware of the challenge he is set to face.

“He’s coming not to lose, he’s coming for everything. But I am from the same area. I’m the same… I’m gonna be right on point on March 26 to get the W and to secure my title shot,” Rakić said.