Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight strikers Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov will duel this weekend (Sat., Oct. 25, 2025) inside Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates for UFC 321.
It has been a truly difficult few years for Rakic, who was riding a serious win streak as a considerable title threat back in 2021. After destroying his knee opposite Jan Blachowicz, however, Rakic was sidelined for nearly two years. Since his return, Rakic has come up short to both Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev. That’s three straight losses to stellar competition, but it brings up the question: where exactly does the 33 year old stand in 2025?
Murzakanov is no young prospect at 36 years of age himself, but he’s undefeated (15-0) and looks the part of a title threat. This is a big step up in competition for the Russian fighter, who has definitely earned his dance with a Top 10 opponent.
Let’s take a closer look at the betting odds and strategic keys for each athlete:
NEWARK, NEW JERSEY – JUNE 07: Azamat Murzakanov of Russia fights Brendson Ribeiro of Brazil in the light heavyweight bout during UFC 316 at the Prudential Center on June 07, 2025 in Newark, New Jersey. (Photo by Elsa/Getty Images) Getty Images
Rakic vs. Murzakanov Betting Odds
- Aleksandar Rakic victory: -102
- Aleksandar Rakic via TKO/KO/DQ: TBD
- Aleksandar Rakic via submission: TBD
- Aleksandar Rakic via decision: TBD
- Azamat Murzakanov victory: -108
- Azamat Murzakanov via TKO/KO/DQ: TBD
- Azamat Murzakanov via submission: TBD
- Azamat Murzakanov via decision: TBD
- Odds via DraftKings Sportsbook
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 25: Aleksandar Rakic of Austria poses on the scale during the UFC 308 official weigh-in at The Hilton Yas Island on October 25, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Strong, quick, and well-conditioned, Rakic is a great athlete. He’s primarily a Muay Thai striker, using short combinations to set up powerful kicks. In addition, Rakic is a strong wrestler, able to use his physicality to control and fatigue opponents.
The key for Rakic here is to avoid the pocket. Murzakanov destroys his opponents in the boxing range with crisp combinations, and Rakic’s recent bout versus Ankalaev demonstrated that he’s not nearly as comfortable in that range. Fortunately, Rakic does have the advantage on the outside and seems to have superior wrestling as well. This is a very clear case of all-the-way-in or all-the-way-out for the Austrian standout.
To maintain distance, Rakic has to give Murzakanov a reason to hesitate. Any shot up the middle — jabs, intercepting knees, snap kicks — could work, but Rakic can’t hang around and get clipped afterward. If Murzakanov is really intent on pushing forward anyway, Rakic should be slipping his head off the center line and trying to wrestle.
If employed well, this strategy should frustrate Murzakanov and keep Rakic safe from his powerful punches.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – AUGUST 03: (L-R) Azamat Murzakanov of Russia punches Alonzo Menifield in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC Fight Night event at Etihad Arena on August 03, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images) Zuffa LLC via Getty Images
A master of sport in hand-to-hand combat, Murzakanov is a straightforward fighter. He throws hard, compact combinations with a quickness rarely seen among big men, and the result is 11 knockouts in 15 victories. Even after five UFC fights, his wrestling remains fairly unproven, however.
Obviously, Murzakanov’s game plan is the inverse of Rakic’s strategy. The Russian boxer wants to find the pocket and stay there, forcing Rakic to extend combinations far beyond the point that Rakic is comfortable. Ideally, he can get Rakic pulling away from the pocket and catch him with his chin up.
To score the pocket, Murzakanov has to pressure the kickboxer. He has to work forward behind his jab and feints while cutting off the cage. I would like to see Murzakanov focus on hitting the body first to slow Rakic’s feet and then come upstairs with follow up punches. In addition, Murzakanov should be staying loaded while advancing, ready to explode forward in response to Rakic’s kicking attack.
ABU DHABI, UNITED ARAB EMIRATES – OCTOBER 26: Aleksandar Rakic of Austria prepares to face Magomed Ankalaev of Russia in a light heavyweight fight during the UFC 308 event at Etihad Arena on October 26, 2024 in Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates. (Photo by Chris Unger/Zuffa LLC)
Rakic vs. Murzakanov Prediction
One of the elements I didn’t mention in the preview itself is the size difference. Rakic stands at 6’3” with a 78 inch reach advantage, whereas Murzakanov is five inches shorter with seven inches less reach. That’s a massive difference, and it will be made even more pronounced by Rakic’s excellent distance kicking. What we have here is is a big Light Heavyweight taking on a fighter who should probably be competing at Middleweight.
Size and strength matter quite a bit. Rakic should be able to wear down Murzakanov with low kicks and takedown attempts alike. Once that happens, Murzakanov’s hand speed — his greatest weapon — won’t seem quite so exceptional.
