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THROWBACK: Insane Leg Kick By Aleksandar Rakic Knocks Out Jimi Manuwa

Published 08/25/2020, 1:39 AM EDT

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UFC Light Heavyweight Aleksandar Rakic is set to return to the octagon in the main event feature against Anthony Smith. The Austrian striker has scaled his way to top contention in the division after blasting through the competition. His highlight-reel finish Knockout against Jimi Manuwa sticks out as being the performance that put him on the map.

Aleksandar Rakic displayed his precision striking that he has come to be known for as an elite 205-pound contender. Moreover, he has been able to stand-out amongst the crowd given his one-shot KO power that’s sure to put out the lights. ‘Rocket’ Rakic pulled off a smooth switch stance high kick knockout over Manuwa and put the division on notice.

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UFC Fight Night: Anthony Smith vs Aleksandar Rakic

Anthony Smith comes into the fight with nearly 50 professional fights under his belt and a chip on his shoulder. ‘Lionheart’ displayed his insane toughness in his last outing against Glover Teixeira that saw him get battered on the ground. Furthermore, he lived up to his moniker by staying in the fight despite losing his teeth due to the punishment he received.

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Rakic’s standout performance against the ‘Poster Boy’ went a long way in helping to secure the main event slot against Smith. He most recently suffered a contentious split decision loss to fellow knockout artist Volkan Oezdemir. The MMA fans largely sided with Rakic getting the nod on the judges’ scorecards due to his activity.

Both fighters are coming off losses that they will be keen to get stricken from their respective records. Moreover, the 205-pound division is up for grabs following the departure of long-time champion and consensus GOAT Jon Jones. ‘Bones’ moved to the heavyweight division hoping to capture another belt and further bolstering his legacy.

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Jan Blachowicz and Dominick Reyes will contest for the vacant Light Heavyweight title at UFC 253. The winner of the aforementioned main event bout on August 29 will put himself in the running for a title shot. What’s more, there is an expectation that a carousel of contenders emerge following the relinquishment of Jones’s throne.

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Written by:

Darryl Pinto

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Darryl Pinto is a senior MMA writer at EssentiallySports. He is currently pursuing his graduate degree in Mass Media (with a specialization in Journalism) out of Xavier’s College and has a year's experience in his current role. Darryl specializes in predictions, reporting, and covering UFC events live.
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