The UFC returns to the UAE for a Fight Night event this weekend, with the promotion already filling the pay-per-view of Abu Dhabi in October “Big Boys”.
The company announced Thursday that Aleksandar Rakic will have the opportunity to snap a skid that lost three games at UFC 321 on October 25th.
Rakic remains at 8th in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings at 205 pounds, while Marzakanov is currently at 11th.
The UFC has also officially announced a heavyweight conflict between Alexander Volkov and Mailton Almeida. UFC 321 is headlined by Tom Aspinall’s indisputable heavyweight belt and Ciryl Gane’s first defense.
Rakic (14-5) got off to an incredible start in the promotion with six wins in seven appearances from 2017 and 2021, losing only in the split decision to Volkan Oezdemir. His career came to his turn after suffering a leg injury to Jan Brakowicz in 2022. The injury led Rakic to go through a long recovery process before returning to action in 2024, losing to former champions and future champions Jiri Prochazka and Magomdo Ankaraev.
Murzakanov (15-0) won five consecutive UFC wins, closing this June with a knockout in the first round of Brendson Ribeiro. Brave CF Openweight Tournament Champion brings a halted victory to future PFL season finalist Matheus Scheffel Dana WhiteCandidate Series for.
Three other UFC 321 matches have become official: Azat Maksum (15-2) vs. Mitch Raposo (9-3) (Flyweight), Ikram Aliskerov (16-2) vs. Jun Yong Park (19-6) (Middleweight), and Hamdy Abdelwahab (6-1, 1 NC) vs. Chris Barnett (23-9).