‘You Cannot Defend 3 Titles’- Israel Adesanya Gets a Stern Warning From Aleksandar Rakic

Aleksandar Rakic will fight Thiago Santos in an intriguing clash at the light-heavyweight division to start off the main card of the UFC 259 pay-per-view. The much-anticipated main event will see 205lbs champion, Jan Blachowicz, make his first title defense against middleweight champion, Israel Adesanya.

‘Stylebender’ will look to make history by becoming a simultaneous two-division champion. However, the 185lbs champion has also expressed his desire to fight for the heavyweight belt as he wants to achieve an unprecedented 3-division UFC champion status.

At the UFC 259 media-day, Rakic was asked what would happen if Adesanya shifted to heavyweight after winning this weekend. The fighter suggested that the UFC should introduce an interim belt for the light-heavyweight division if Izzy wins.

“They should put an interim title as soon as possible then. Because you cannot defend three titles. You cannot defend a middleweight, light heavyweight, and then go in for the heavyweight. There are guys waiting, you know, for our shot. This would be disrespectful for us,” said Rakic.

‘Rocket‘ is coming off a win against former title challenger, Anthony Smith, in his last contest. He faces another former contender in ‘Marreta’ this weekend.

Aleksandar Rakic vs Thiago Santos: Fireworks await?

Rakic and Santos are both knockout artists. Rakic has 9 T/KO finishes on his resume, and his scary knockout of Jimi Manuwa is still fresh among MMA fans. Santos on the other hand has 15 wins by T/KO and is an entertainer like no one else.

‘Maretta’ is currently on a 2-fight skid. Glover Teixeira handed him a submission loss last term after he dropped a split decision against Jon Jones at UFC 239. The Brazilian is keen to fight for the belt again and a win this weekend will set him up for a potential contender fight next.

Rakic, too, will look to fight for the belt soon. He has had a promising start to his UFC career and has put together a 5-1 record. A split decision loss against Volkan Oezdemir has been his only promotional setback. Hence, a win at UFC 259 may give him the chance to fight for a contender spot, or maybe even for the interim belt.

What did you make of Aleksandar Rakic’s comments on Israel Adesanya? Let us know your thoughts.