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UFC 321- Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov Predictions, Betting Odds And Best Bets

Zaid Quraishi

Aleksandar Rakic was riding high as a serious title threat back in 2021. Then his knee exploded against Jan Blachowicz and everything changed. Two years of rehab followed by three straight losses left the Austrian fighter at a crossroads. Now, he faces undefeated prospect Azamat Murzakanov at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi this Saturday.

The Russian brings a perfectrecord and knockout power that’s earned him this step up in competition. This Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov bout represents a classic test: can the veteran prove he’s still elite, or does the hungry prospect continue his unbeaten run?

Rakic stands 6’4″ tall with a massive 78 inch reach and owns a 14-5 record despite recent struggles. He lands 4.16 significant strikes per minute at 50% accuracy while absorbing 2.91. His takedown defense is excellent at 85% with 0.66 takedowns per fight. 

Murzakanov measures just 5’10” with a 71 inch reach but brings that perfect 15-0 record with 11 knockouts. He lands 4.93 strikes per minute at impressive 57% accuracy while absorbing 2.86. His takedown defense matches Rakic at 83% though he rarely wrestles himself. That seven inch reach advantage for Rakic could be the deciding factor in dictating range.

Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov Predictions And Picks

This fight comes down to whether Murzakanov’s boxing power can overcome Rakic’s massive physical advantages and technical kicking game. He has looked exceptional through his 15-0 career, destroying opponents with compact boxing combinations in the pocket. His 57% striking accuracy and 11 knockouts prove he can end fights when he closes distance. The problem is getting there against someone with Rakic’s range and defensive wrestling. 

Rakic’s excellent distance kicking combined with his size and strength should allow him to wear down Murzakanov with low kicks and takedown attempts. His fundamentals remain sound, especially his ability to control range with kicks and use his physicality in the clinch. The question is whether his confidence has fully returned after three consecutive losses.

If we bet on the fight, we are going with Azamat Murzakanov to win via KO/TKO.

Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov MMA Betting Odds

This is essentially a pick’em fight. According to FanDuel, Aleksandr Rakic is a -106 underdog. Meanwhile, Azamat Murzakanov is a -120 favourite. These odds reflect the bookmakers’ dilemma between experience and explosive power.

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The odds for the fight going the distance have also come out. The odds for the fight seeing the judges scorecards stand at +114. The probability of the fight ending before the final bell is higher and the odds (-146reflect that.

Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov Best Bets

Here are some of the best bets for Aleksandar Rakic vs Azamat Murzakanov fight at UFC 321:

Rakic by Decision (+240)

This offers excellent value for how this fight plays out. His size, reach, and technical kicking game should control the distance and rack up points over three rounds.

Rakic vs Murzakanov to go Over 2.5 Rounds (-110)

Both fighters have somewhat solid chins and defensive awareness. Despite knockout power on both sides, expect this to reach the third round as Rakic manages range effectively.

Aleksandar Rakic Moneyline (-106)

Nearly even money on a fighter with significant physical advantages and superior wrestling. His recent losses came against elite championship-level opponents, not unranked prospects.

(All odds taken from FanDuel. Bet on the most up-to-date MMA odds, lines, and spreads with FanDuel Sportsbook)

(Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas – Imagn Images)

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I am a dedicated MMA and Boxing content writer at The Playoffs. I was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the fight between Lyoto Machida vs. Gegard Mousasi back in 2014, and since then, i have been an avid writer with a deep love for the sport and its techniques, providing readers with a thorough understanding of the sport. My favorite aspect of working at The Playoffs is the creative freedom it provides. The diverse range of topics, from listicles and SEO to news articles, keeps me engaged and motivates me to continuously improve my skills! I aim to capture the excitement of the combat sports world in my writing, acting as the middleman between fighters and their die-hard fans. It is kind of like a referee, but with words!

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