Aleksandar Rakić’s tough first-round TKO loss to Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 capped off a challenging stretch in the light heavyweight division, with defeats to Magomed Ankalaev, Jiří Procházka, and Jan Błachowicz in recent bouts. Despite flashes of elite striking and athleticism, such as his head kick knockout of Jimi Manuwa and strong wins over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos, Rakić has struggled to regain momentum after injuries and top-tier competition.
The right move is for Rakić to consider a switch to heavyweight and debut against Marcin Tybura. Tybura, ranked No. 9 at heavyweight, combines strong grappling, durability, and veteran savvy, making him an ideal first test for Rakić’s size, speed, and footwork at the new weight class. For Rakić, the move offers a fresh start and lets him leverage his striking without worrying about grueling weight cuts, while Tybura brings years of experience and a well-rounded skill set. A fight between Rakić and Tybura is the perfect crossroads bout to reveal if Rakić can thrive at heavyweight.
Last Five Fights – Aleksandar Rakić:
Loss to Azamat Murzakanov – TKO (punches), UFC 321 (October 25, 2025)
Loss to Magomed Ankalaev – Decision (unanimous), UFC 308 (October 26, 2024)
Loss to Jiří Procházka – TKO (punches), UFC 300 (April 13, 2024)
Loss to Jan Błachowicz – TKO (knee injury), UFC on ESPN: Błachowicz vs. Rakić (May 14, 2022)
Win over Thiago Santos – Decision (unanimous), UFC 259 (March 6, 2021)
Last Five Fights – Marcin Tybura:
Loss to Ante Delija – KO (punches), UFC Fight Night 258 (September 6, 2025)
Win over Mick Parkin – Decision (unanimous), UFC Fight Night 255 (March 22, 2025)
Win over Jhonata Diniz – TKO (doctor stoppage), UFC 309 (November 16, 2024)
Loss to Serghei Spivac – Submission (armbar), UFC on ESPN 61 (August 10, 2024)
Win over Tai Tuivasa – Technical Submission (rear-naked choke), UFC Fight Night 239 (March 16, 2024)
A heavyweight debut against Marcin Tybura gives Aleksandar Rakić a chance to reinvent himself and immediately prove whether his athletic tools and striking skill can succeed in one of UFC’s most unpredictable divisions.