Rakic stopped in first round by Murzakanov at UFC 321, setback halts light heavyweight rebound bid

Aleksandar Rakic’s return to the contender conversation was derailed on Saturday as Azamat Murzakanov scored a first-round finish in Abu Dhabi, handing the Austrian-Serbian striker a damaging defeat and tightening an already congested light heavyweight picture. The bout opened the main card and ended abruptly after Murzakanov stunned Rakic with a clean shot that led to a swift stoppage at Etihad Arena.

How the Rakic vs. Murzakanov fight unraveled

Rakic began with familiar tools—long jab, calf kicks, and measured footwork—to establish range and discourage level changes. Murzakanov respected the kicks early but refused to back straight up, taking small, forward angles to crowd the return and shorten exchanges. The tactical hinge came midway through the round: as Rakic reset behind his lead hand, Murzakanov timed a sharp counter that disrupted balance and opened the door for follow-up power. A few accurate punches later, the referee stepped in with Rakic unable to meaningfully recover.

The sequence emphasized contrasts in approach. Rakic sought to extend the fight, touching from distance to build reads and volume. Murzakanov compressed space, betting that one clean entry could flip momentum. That bet paid off—his compact mechanics delivered fight-ending force without over-committing or giving Rakic a clean counter lane.

What the result means for Aleksandar Rakic

This loss halts the momentum Rakic had hoped to rebuild after setbacks against elite opposition. He remains one of the division’s most technically sound kickers with proven five-round cardio, but the recent run raises two questions he’ll need to answer to re-ascend:

1. Pocket survivability under fire. Opponents have increasingly looked to step through his jab and attack the center line before he can pivot out. Expect future game plans to copy Murzakanov’s angle-in, counter-over approach.

2. Risk management in transitional phases. Rakic’s best work comes when he’s first; he’s more vulnerable during resets. Tightening defensive responsibility after broken exchanges—either by clinching, exiting on angles, or changing levels—should be an offseason priority.

From a rankings standpoint, Rakic likely slides a tier, trading immediate title proximity for matchups against fellow contenders coming off wins. Names with forward-pressure boxing or durable counter games make sense as litmus tests; alternatively, a technical striker with less one-shot power could help him reestablish rhythm and confidence.

Murzakanov’s surge and implications for the division

The finish over Rakic extends Murzakanov’s unbeaten streak and pushes him into genuine title-eliminator territory. He brings a difficult mix for the weight class: low center of gravity, quick entries, and economy of motion that generates power without sacrificing position. For top-five foes, the key will be denying his preferred range with disciplined footwork and layered jabs that punish those small angle steps.

More broadly, the division benefits from a fresh contender whose style threatens both kickers and wrestle-boxers. Depending on how the top-of-the-bill plays out over the next quarter, Murzakanov now sits a win—or even the right short-notice opportunity—away from a shot.

Tactical notes from Rakic’s perspective

• Leg-kick cadence: Rakic’s early low kicks were effective but became slightly predictable in rhythm. Mixing inside/outside targets, doubling up on the same side, and finishing combinations with kicks rather than starting with them could disguise entries.

• Lead-hand variety: A spearing jab works when opponents respect range. Against compact counters, he may need more off-hand activity—feints, hand traps, and the occasional uppercut to catch forward slips.

• Exit patterns: Murzakanov hunted the straight line. Building automatic pivots after every two-piece—especially to the open side—would reduce exposure to counters.

What’s next for Rakic

Expect Rakic to target a three-to-six month reentry, contingent on medical clearance. A co-main event against a ranked opponent outside the immediate title queue would provide the right blend of visibility and rebuild runway. Key goals for that camp:

• Reestablish the kicking game as a fight-long threat without becoming timing-bait.

• Add clinch layers (frames, collar ties, knees) to interrupt pressure and create safe resets.

• Drill counter-counter scenarios so that forward entries meet consequence, not just evasions.

line on Rakic after UFC 321

Rakic remains a high-level operator in a division where one exchange can define a night. Saturday’s result narrows his margin for error but doesn’t erase the attributes that carried him into contention—length, composure, and a punishing kicking arsenal. To climb back, he’ll need tactical refinements and a stabilizing win against the right name. For now, the headline belongs to Murzakanov’s precision and patience—and to a light heavyweight field that just gained another dangerous, legitimate threat.