UFC Fight Night: Blachowicz v Rakic Prediction, Tips & Offers

It's one of the most mouthwatering headline acts for a Fight Night card in recent memory as the former champion Jan Blachowicz looks to get right back in title contention as he meets with the devastating Aleksandar Rakić who is looking to establish himself as the man to watch in the division.

Ever since Jon Jones stepped away from the light heavyweight ranks just as Daniel Cormier retired, the competition at 205 has been incredible. In a few weeks' time, we will witness Glover Teixeira defend his title for the first time against Jiri Prochazka, and the winner of this main event on Saturday may well get the winner of the title bout in early July.

After winning the vacant title against Dominick Reyes with a fantastic TKO victory back in September 2020, Blachowicz defended the title against Israel Adesanya to register one of the most famous victories in recent MMA history as he put the only loss on the middleweight champion's record. The Pole lost the title to Teixeria in stunning style, however, when he tapped to a rear-naked choke in the second round. Blachowicz really didn't look himself in the octagon back in October, as he got stunned by punches he usually takes, couldn't land any of his own, and was dominated on the ground despite boasting of a black belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu himself.

If the former champion is going to win, he likely needs to utilise his size and strength once more, just as he did against Adesanya. Although Rakic is three inches taller than him, Blachowicz's reach is the exact same and he will be visibly wider and noticeably heavier when they two face on Saturday night, as he normally is at 205.

Rakic, as noted, is taller, and will be seeking win number 17 of his career. The Austrian has lost twice - a submission and a decision - but the submission defeat was back on his MMA debut over a decade ago, just as he lost on points to Volkan Oezdemir three years back. He's been relatively inactive since, but two impressive decision victories of the well-known and threatening figures in Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos have thrown him right back into title contention. If Rakic is going to win, he's going to have to tactically out-strike the Pole. His 6ft 5" frame should be key here, and those devastating kicks will be essential in waring Blachowicz down.

Jimi Manuwa was the last KO victory of Rakic's career, in what was a stunning head kick knockout. It's unlikely he will be able to do so against a vengeful man in Blachowicz possessing the notorious "polish power". Do, however, expect a tactical battle and one in which could see the rounds swing in either man's favour, but we think the 30-year-old may just have the edge on the 39-year-old former champion across the distance.

Ion Cuțelaba will look to send a reminder to the light heavyweight division that he is still a man to be recognised in the 205 lbs ranks. The Moldovan came into the UFC with an almighty background in combat sambo, winning the European Championships back in 2012. However, with now five defeats and a draw in the UFC, it's a must-win bout if the 28-year-old is going to get a chance to get closer to the belt over the next few years and become a ranked higher. His opponent, Ryan Spann, is no joke either, and his defeats to Smith and Jonny Walker are the only two in the past five years for him. As a submission specialist, it's going to be interesting to see how Spann works his way around a sambo guru.

"Dangerous" Davey Grant will be looking to get back into the win column as his fantastic victories over Martin Day and Jonathan Martinez seems like a lifetime away after losing two on the spin. Nevertheless, Grant put in two Performance of the Night displays in those two consecutive wins and has been a part of the Fight of the Night in his past two. It's usually fireworks, and although he rarely gets a KO, he strangely has been doing so in the past few years. Against Louis Smolka who is also in desperate need to win after getting destroyed by Vince Morales, fireworks could ensue.