Aleksandar Rakic Bio
Aleksandar Rakić is a Serbian mixed martial artist who competes in the Light Heavyweight division of the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC). Born on February 6, 1992, in Vienna, Austria, he has built a professional record of 14 wins and 6 losses since turning pro in 2011. Known by the ring name Rocket, Rakić is recognized for his powerful striking, athleticism, and kickboxing roots. He currently trains at Gym 23 American Top Team and holds a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
As of October 28, 2025, Rakić is ranked number ten in the official UFC light heavyweight rankings. Of his 14 professional wins, 3 have come by knockout, 1 by submission, and 2 by decision, with the remaining victories coming by other forms of stoppage. He primarily fights out of Vienna, Austria, the city where he was raised and where he first developed his combat sports foundation.
Early Life and Background
Aleksandar Rakić was born and raised in Vienna, Austria, into a Serb family. Growing up in the Austrian capital, he was surrounded by a strong immigrant community that helped shape his early identity and cultural ties to Serbia. As a child, Rakić initially played football, but his aggressive playing style reached a point where he was eventually expelled from the team. This early intensity hinted at the combative path that would soon follow.
At the age of 12, Rakić began training in kickboxing and boxing, disciplines that would become central to his fighting identity. He had his first fight at 14 years old and quickly accumulated experience inside the ring and on the circuit. By the time he turned 20, he had already competed in more than 40 fights, building a deep striking base before transitioning to mixed martial arts for a new challenge. To support himself during those formative years, Rakić worked at a hotel while continuing to train.
Path to MMA
Rakić transitioned from kickboxing to mixed martial arts in 2011, when he began his professional MMA career. Competing primarily on the European regional circuit, he faced a steady stream of opponents and steadily built his record. He also competed for Final Fight Championship in Austria, one of the prominent European MMA promotions at the time. These early bouts allowed him to round out his grappling and wrestling while continuing to sharpen the striking skills that would later define his UFC run.
By the time the UFC came calling, Rakić had assembled a professional record of 8–1 across the European scene. That resume, combined with his physical tools and finishing ability, was enough to earn him a contract with the promotion in March 2017. The signing marked the end of his development phase and the beginning of his climb up the global light heavyweight ladder.
Aleksandar Rakic Career
Early Career (2011–2017)
Rakić began his professional MMA career in 2011 and spent the next six years competing across the European circuit. During that stretch, he faced a variety of styles, refining his striking and adding layers to his grappling game. His run with Final Fight Championship in Austria gave him valuable main-event experience in front of home fans and helped him grow as a performer.
By the time he was signed by the UFC in March 2017, Rakić had built an 8–1 professional record. That foundation gave the promotion confidence in his upside, and his blend of kickboxing pedigree, reach, and finishing instincts made him an intriguing addition to the light heavyweight division. His signing represented the culmination of years spent grinding on the European scene.
UFC Breakthrough (2017–2019)
Rakić made his UFC debut on September 2, 2017, against Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 115 in Rotterdam, Netherlands. He won the fight via unanimous decision, immediately announcing himself as a prospect to watch in the light heavyweight class. After a canceled bout with Gadzhimurad Antigulov in February 2018, Rakić returned on July 22, 2018, at UFC Fight Night 134, where he defeated Justin Ledet by unanimous decision.
His stock continued to rise in 2018 with a first-round TKO victory over Devin Clark at UFC 231 on December 8, 2018. The following year, on June 1, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 153, Rakić produced one of the signature moments of his early UFC run, knocking out Jimi Manuwa with a head kick in the opening minute of the fight. The performance earned him his first Performance of the Night bonus award and cemented his reputation as a dangerous finisher.
UFC Rise and Setbacks (2019–2022)
On December 21, 2019, at UFC Fight Night 165, Rakić faced Volkan Oezdemir and lost a split decision, with seven out of eight media members scoring the fight in his favor. He rebounded in 2020 by signing a new six-fight deal with the UFC and then defeating Anthony Smith via unanimous decision at UFC Fight Night 175 on August 29, 2020. He followed that with another unanimous decision win, this time over Thiago Santos at UFC 259 on March 6, 2021, a result that pushed him into title contention.
His scheduled bout with former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jan Błachowicz was originally booked for March 26, 2022, at UFC on ESPN 33 before being postponed due to a Błachowicz injury. The fight was rescheduled for UFC on ESPN 36 on May 14, 2022, where Rakić lost via technical knockout in round three after tearing his anterior cruciate ligament during the fight, an injury he had originally suffered three weeks prior during sparring. The loss and the ACL tear forced a nearly two-year layoff.
Return and Current Team Era (2024–Present)
After nearly two years away from competition, Rakić was initially set to rematch Jan Błachowicz on January 20, 2024, at UFC 297, but Błachowicz withdrew for shoulder surgery. Rakić was then booked to face former UFC Light Heavyweight champion Jiří Procházka on April 13, 2024, at UFC 300. Despite landing numerous leg kicks, Rakić lost the bout by technical knockout in the second round, extending his skid.
Looking to stop the slide, Rakić faced Magomed Ankalaev on October 26, 2024, at UFC 308, where he lost via unanimous decision. Most recently, on October 25, 2025, at UFC 321, Rakić faced undefeated prospect Azamat Murzakanov and lost by technical knockout in the first round. Despite the recent results, his ranking in the top ten of the division reflects the respect he has built through years of competition.
Notable Events and Milestones
Among Rakić’s career highlights, the first-round head-kick knockout of Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 153 stands out as his signature UFC finish, earning him his first Performance of the Night bonus. His unanimous decision win over former title challenger Thiago Santos at UFC 259 is another milestone, signaling his arrival as a top-tier light heavyweight. The ACL injury suffered in the Błachowicz fight also represents a defining moment, halting his momentum and forcing a long road back.
Aleksandar Rakic Career Wins
Aleksandar Rakić has accumulated 14 professional wins across MMA, kickboxing, and the UFC, with a finishing rate that reflects his kickboxing base. Of those 14 victories, 3 have come by knockout, 1 by submission, and 2 by decision, with the balance coming by other stoppages. His wins span the European circuit, Final Fight Championship in Austria, and the UFC light heavyweight division.
UFC Highlights
In the UFC specifically, Rakić has earned multiple victories, beginning with his debut decision over Francimar Barroso at UFC Fight Night 115 in 2017. He later added wins over Justin Ledet, Devin Clark, Jimi Manuwa, Anthony Smith, and Thiago Santos, with the Manuwa head-kick knockout standing as his most iconic UFC finish. The Santos win at UFC 259 is widely regarded as the high-water mark of his UFC career.
Aleksandar Rakic Family
Family Background and Lineage
Aleksandar Rakić was born into a Serb family in Vienna, Austria, where he was raised and still resides. While his parents’ names are not publicly documented in verified sources, his Serbian heritage and upbringing in the Austrian capital shaped his dual cultural identity. His family background reflects the broader Serbian diaspora community in Vienna, a population known for maintaining strong ties to its homeland while integrating into Austrian society.
Personal Life
Rakić lives and trains out of Vienna, Austria, the city where he was born. He keeps much of his personal life private, and no verified public information is available regarding a spouse, partner, or children. Outside of fighting, he has been open about his work ethic and his dedication to the sport, often crediting his early days of balancing hotel work with training as a foundation for his discipline inside the cage.
2025 Season Performance
Rakić’s 2025 campaign has been a difficult one, beginning with a unanimous decision loss to Magomed Ankalaev carried over from his late-2024 fight at UFC 308. The result extended a stretch of setbacks that has tested his standing in the light heavyweight division. Despite the losses, he remained ranked inside the UFC’s top ten at 205 pounds, a sign of the depth of his résumé and the respect he has built inside the organization.
On October 25, 2025, Rakić faced undefeated prospect Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321, where he was stopped by technical knockout in the first round. The loss continued a turbulent run of form and raised questions about his next steps. With the light heavyweight division continuing to evolve and new contenders emerging, Rakić will need a strong response in 2026 to reassert himself in the title picture.
Training out of Gym 23 American Top Team, Rakić has the infrastructure and coaching around him to make adjustments. His kickboxing-heavy style remains a challenge for any opponent, and his physical tools, including a 196 cm frame and 198 cm reach, continue to make him a difficult matchup. As the 2025 season closes, the focus shifts to recovery, recalibration, and the search for his next opportunity to climb back into title contention.