Aleksandar Rakic dominates Anthony Smith in unanimous decision win
The world’s largest MMA promotion is back at it again for UFC on ESPN+ 33 tonight, Saturday, Aug. 29.
A light-heavyweight clash between former title challenger Anthony “Lion Heart” Smith and Aleksandar Rakic headline the event in the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nevada. The co-main event is a welterweight clash between former champion Robbie Lawlor and Neil Magny.
In the main event of the evening, Anthony Smith takes on Aleksandar Rakic in a light heavyweight affair. Both fighters enter this contest looking to get back in the win column, suffering losses in their last outings.
Former title challenger, Smith comes into this bout hoping to bounce back from a TKO loss to Glover Teixeira in May. The stoppage circulated worldwide proving Smith’s tenacity to endure punishment as he handed the referee his own tooth, mid-round.
Aleksandar Rakic was on an impressive 12 fight win streak until his last bout against Volkan Oezdemir when he suffered his lone loss in the Octagon. With his stock rising previously, Rakic put other fighters in his division on notice when he dismantled Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark in the opening stanza of their bouts.
Tonight, Anthony “Lion Heart” Smith and Aleksandar Rakic face off in the main event of UFC Fight Night with hopes of getting their name back in title contention.
Here is how the light heavyweight bout between Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic went down at UFC Fight Night: Smith vs Rakic including round by round scoring. For full results of the event, check them outright here!
Round 1:
The fighters touch gloves and about is underway. Rakic starts the bout with 3 leg kicks. Smith feels Rakic out switching up from leg kicks to punches upstairs. Both fighters are committing simultaneously with Rakic getting the better of the exchanges. Rakic targets Smith’s lead leg and goes to work with explosive leg kicks, ultimately crumbling Smith to the canvas. Rakic follows him down and hammers away to Smith’s body. Smith scrambles in hopes for better positioning. Smith stands and secures the back of Rakic momentarily, only to be shaken off. Rakic gets back on top and lands several hard punches before the round expires.
MyMMANews scores round 1 for Aleksandar Rakic. 10-9
Round 2:
Neither fighter wastes any time getting to work with Smith headhunting early. Rakic immediately resorts back to wearing on Smith’s lead leg. Both fighters land huge right hands and Rakic throws Smith to the canvas with authority. Rakic is landing short shots while Smith is looking to work on several submission attempts that are nullified. With a minute on the clock, Rakic continues to wither on Smith until the bell.
MyMMANews scores round 2 for Aleksandar Rakic. 10-9
Round 3:
With Smith feeling he is down 2 rounds to none, he comes out swinging for the fence and Rakic meets him with another heavy leg kick. Rakic lands a left hook that rocks Smith as Rakic follows up with consecutive head kick attempts. Smith retreats as Rakic closes the distance. Smith attempts the back-take but Rakic puts him in the mat, once again. Rakic stays active with some short punches to the body and head. Rakic creeps to secure Smiths back as he fires knees to Smith’s thigh. Smith attempts to stand and Rakic transitions to the front position and pushes Smith back and rides him out until the round closes.
MyMMANews scores round 3 for Aleksandar Rakic.
Official result: Aleksandar Rakic defeats Anthony Smith via Unanimous Decision Judges scorecards (30-26/ 20-27/ 30-27)
