UFC Targeting Light Heavyweight Scrap Between Aleksandar Rakic and Thiago Santos

The UFC wheel continues to churn as a light heavyweight bout between Aleksandar Rakic and Thiago Santos is in the works. The 205-pound scrap is targeted for March 6 as sources informed ESPN. The fight has major implications for the division going forward and will serve to determine a top contender.

Additionally, sources said that Rakic vs Santos will not serve as the headlining feature of the card and will instead be a three-round contest. The UFC is yet to provide clarity on their schedule and event timetable leading into March. The company has only drawn up a schedule that extends to the end of the year, and tentatively into January 2021.

UFC light heavyweights: Aleksandar Rakic vs Thiago Santos

Aleksandar Rakic last fought former title challenger Anthony Smith and picked up a win on the cards. Chiefly, ‘Rocket’ has only faltered once in a highly contested split-decision loss against Volkan Oezdemir. The Austrian fighter is amongst the most dangerous one-punch KO artist in the division as it stands.

The main key to his success has been his ability to fire off fight-ending attacks without a telegraph. Rakic uses his distance managing abilities to great effect under the bright lights. Not to mention he always ensures that he’s in range to launch heavy strikes on his power side. He’ll have to be wary of Santos’ power; however, as the Brazilian is equally capable of turning off the lights.

‘Marreta’ is coming off a loss to Glover Teixeira not more than a week removed from his new fight booking. Santos is now on a two-fight skid having fallen to both Jon Jones and Glover in his last outings. However, he has been competitive in both match-ups and has exhibited a killer instinct that is second to none.

What’s more, his recent MCL, ACL, PCL, and meniscus tear injuries haven’t been a hindrance to his overall performance. In his fight against Glover, he exhibited deficiency on the ground, but Rakic likes to keep the fight standing. The aforementioned match-up comes in as a lock for a ‘Bonus of the Night’ given the fighters’ affinity for violence.