After his narrow loss to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308, Aleksandar Rakić remains a powerful force in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, poised for a strong comeback. With his unique blend of striking accuracy and defensive resilience, Rakić is primed for another big test, and three high-stakes matchups stand out as ideal challenges for his return

Jan Błachowicz (#4)

Jan Błachowicz is a Polish professional mixed martial artist and former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion. Known for his well-rounded skills and powerful striking, Błachowicz has been a staple in the light heavyweight division since 2018. He is highly respected for his ability to compete at the highest level and is a significant figure in Polish MMA history.

Błachowicz’s last fight was against Alex Pereira at UFC 291, where he lost by split decision. The bout showcased his veteran experience and tactical striking, but he fell short in a closely contested match, marking a pivotal moment in his career as he looked to reclaim championship status.

A matchup between Rakic and Błachowicz makes sense given their respective standings in the light heavyweight division. Both fighters are highly ranked and have previously fought at the elite level, and a fight between them could determine the next title contender.

Last Five Fights:

1. Loss vs. Alex Pereira (UFC 291) - Split decision
2. Draw vs. Magomed Ankalaev (UFC 282) - Split draw (for the vacant title)
3. Win vs. Aleksandar Rakic (UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić) - TKO (knee injury)
4. Loss vs. Glover Teixeira (UFC 267) - Submission (rear-naked choke)
5. Win vs. Israel Adesanya (UFC 259) - Decision (unanimous)

Khalil Rountree (#6)

Khalil Rountree is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Known for his explosive striking and knockout power, Rountree has built a reputation for delivering thrilling performances and has been involved in several Fight of the Night encounters.

Rountree faced Alex Pereira for the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship at UFC 307, where he lost by TKO in the fourth round. Despite his valiant effort, Rountree couldn’t withstand Pereira’s striking, which highlighted the challenges he faces at the championship level.

A fight against Rakic could serve as a high-stakes bout for both fighters, allowing Rountree to rebound from his title challenge and Rakic to re-establish his contender status after the loss to Ankalaev. This matchup has the potential to be explosive, showcasing Rountree’s striking against Rakic’s well-rounded skill set.

Last Five Fights:

1. Loss vs. Alex Pereira (UFC 307) - TKO (punches)
2. Win vs. Anthony Smith (UFC Fight Night: Song vs. Gutiérrez) - TKO (punches)
3. Win vs. Chris Daukaus (UFC on ESPN: Luque vs. dos Anjos) - TKO (punches)
4. Win vs. Dustin Jacoby (UFC Fight Night: Kattar vs. Allen) - Split decision
5. Win vs. Karl Roberson (UFC Fight Night: Santos vs. Ankalaev) - TKO (body kick and punches)

Alonzo Menifield (#15)

Alonzo Menifield is an American mixed martial artist competing in the UFC Light Heavyweight division. Known for his explosive power and finishing ability, Menifield has made a name for himself with an aggressive fighting style that combines striking and grappling skills. His ability to secure quick finishes has garnered him a reputation as a dangerous opponent in the octagon.

Menifield faced Azamat Murzakanov at UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov, where he lost by KO in the second round. Despite his efforts, he was unable to withstand Murzakanov’s striking, which showcased the challenges he faces against top-level competition in the division.

A fight against Aleksandar Rakic could be pivotal for both fighters. For Menifield, this matchup presents an opportunity to bounce back from recent setbacks and demonstrate his knockout power against a highly skilled opponent. For Rakic, a victory would help solidify his status as a top contender following his recent loss. This matchup promises to be thrilling, showcasing Menifield’s striking prowess against Rakic’s well-rounded skill set.

Last Five Fights:

• Loss vs. Azamat Murzakanov (UFC on ABC: Sandhagen vs. Nurmagomedov) - KO (punches)
• Loss vs. Carlos Ulberg (UFC on ESPN: Lewis vs. Nascimento) - KO (punches)
• Win vs. Dustin Jacoby (UFC 296) - Decision (unanimous)
• Win vs. Jimmy Crute (UFC 290) - Submission (guillotine choke)
• Draw vs. Jimmy Crute (UFC 284) - Draw (majority) (Menifield was deducted 1 point in round 3 for grabbing the fence)