Aleksandar Rakic
Active 2018–present · rated in 4 editions · peak overall 85.0
Scouting report
A head-kick knockout of Jimi Manuwa at UFC Fight Night 153 in Stockholm stamped Aleksandar "Rocket" Rakic's credentials as a light heavyweight contender. Born and trained in Vienna, Austria, Rakic imposes his will with low kicks and cage control, securing victories over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos. His presence is captured by an 89 Strength and 88 Kickboxing, underpinning an 85 Overall score.
Peak ratings
By edition
Rakic went on a four-fight winning streak upon entering the UFC between 2018 and 2019, outpointing Francimar Barroso in Rotterdam and Justin Ledet in Hamburg, stopping Devin Clark in Toronto, and delivering a head-kick knockout of Jimi Manuwa in Stockholm, with his only loss coming via split decision against Volkan Oezdemir in Busan. His dynamic kickboxing and athletic frame are reflected in an 87 Boxing and 88 Kickboxing.
Aleksandar Rakic, the Viennese kickboxer with a head kick knockout
Aleksandar Rakic was born in Vienna to a Serb family, was expelled from a youth football team for aggression, and began kickboxing and boxing at twelve. He had his first fight at fourteen and more than 40 by twenty, while working at a hotel to pay for training. He signed with the big promotion in 2017 and knocked out Jimi Manuwa with a head kick in the opening minute in 2019. He beat Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos by decision before a knee injury cost him nearly two years.
Rakic in eight parts
Boxing. Good. He beat Devin Clark by first-round TKO in 2018.
Kickboxing. Very good. His head kick knocked out Manuwa in under a minute.
Wrestling. Solid, though his record offers little to cite here.
BJJ. Sound. Nothing in his fight record shows him submitted.
Strength. His highest number. He carried the power that produced the Manuwa knockout.
Durability. Good, and he kept fighting until his knee gave out against Blachowicz in 2022.
Cardio. Solid over three-round fights, as decision wins over Smith and Santos show.
Fight IQ. Fine. He lost a split decision to Oezdemir in 2019 that 7 of 8 media scorecards gave to Rakic.
Strength at 89, with kickboxing at 88 close behind
He controls range with kicks and straight punches. Despite landing numerous leg kicks in 2024, he lost to Jiri Prochazka by second-round TKO. He also beat Smith and Santos by unanimous decision, which shows how good he is in a long fight.
BJJ at 78 is his softest area
Nothing in his record shows him being submitted, so this is a rating that reflects caution more than a proven hole. Still, it is the lowest number on his card. His recent stoppage losses came by strikes, to Prochazka in 2024 and to Azamat Murzakanov in 2025.
Keep exploring
Closest light heavyweight profiles to Aleksandar Rakic, measured by how near their peak attribute ratings sit across all eight categories.
- Alexander Gustafssonbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 78
- Dominick Reyesbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 74
- Jiri Prochazkabest boxing 92 · weakest bjj 80
- Jan Blachowiczbest boxing 90 · weakest bjj 85
- Light Heavyweight division guide: how the whole division rates and who to draft from it.
- Grappling vs striking in the draft: a guide that fits Aleksandar Rakic's strongest attribute, Strength.
Draft Aleksandar Rakic into your build
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Ratings shown are my own estimates, made with AI assistance and informed by how Aleksandar Rakic is regarded by the MMA community. They are unofficial and do not constitute an assessment of Aleksandar Rakic's real-world abilities. How the ratings are made. See the disclaimer below. Ratings and write-ups by Haaris A. Last reviewed 2026-09-30; spot an error? Tell us. Read our editorial standards.