Previously, Anthony Smith was a light heavyweight challenger, pulling up victories with the big dogs, seemingly destined to take the belt.
Until he suffered one of the worst losses of his career, sending him back into the remaining division with something to prove.
This August, he’ll get his chance at redemption. Where he steps back into the ring to take on rising contender Aleksandar Rakic on Sunday 30 August.
As mentioned, Smith is coming off the back of a defeat at the hands of Glover Teixeira where the Brazilian quite literally knocked his teeth out back in May. Before that, ‘Lionheart’ went the full five rounds with current lightweight champion, Jon Jones, before choking out a stalwart of the division, Alexander Gustafsson three months later. Smith is still considered one of the best light heavyweight fighters in contention, with many hoping a win could launch him back into title contention.
Meanwhile, Rakic has been working his way slowly but surely through the division. Coming off a close split-decision to former title challenger Volkan Oezdemir back in Devember 2019. Most UFC fight fans thought Rakic was the winner, however he suffered a first defeat and was back to the drawing board.
The talented Austrian striker is 4-1 inside the Octagon, finishing Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark. A victory over Smith will go a long way for setting Rakic up for a title challenge with many hoping to see him square up against arguably the best to ever hold the light heavyweight belt, Jon Jones.
As two of the most promising names in the division today, this fight will draw a line in the sand over who’s a pretender and who’s a contender.
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MAIN CARD
Light Heavyweight Bout
Anthony Smith vs Aleksandar Rakic
UNDER CARD
To be announced.