Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

UFC Light Heavyweight Division Gets Its Next Contender as Aleksandar Rakic Faces Undefeated Azamat Murzakanov!

Azamat Murzakanov’s unbeaten run faces Aleksandar Rakic at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.

Mandatory Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Aleksandar Rakic will make his long-awaited return against the undefeated Azamat Murzakanov in a heavyweight bout at UFC 321, set to take place on October 25, 2025, at the Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Slotted into the pay-per-view main card beneath the heavyweight title fight between Tom Aspinall and Ciryl Gane, this matchup pits a top-10 veteran fighting to stay relevant against a streaking contender.

🔥Aleksandar Rakić will take on Azamat Murzakanov at #UFC321 on October 25th.
[first rep. @VestnikMMA] pic.twitter.com/ko99ml73Aw
— MMA Orbit (@mma_orbit) July 19, 2025

The Veteran’s Last Stand Meets the Rising Contender

The stakes are starkly different but equally high for both men. Ranked No. 7 in the division, Rakic (14-5) is staring down at the three-fight losing skid. The Austrian-Serbian striker hasn’t won since 2021, given he has not been at his best since a tough run that included a knockout loss to Jiri Prochazka, a long layoff due to a knee injury, and a hard-fought decision defeat to Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 294.

Known for his leg kicks and measured striking, Rakic once hovered near title contention, but that version of him hasn’t been seen in years. Standing across from him is Azamat Murzakanov (15-0), who’s been quietly building a case for himself in the shadows. The Russian finisher broke into the UFC in 2022 and has gone 5-0 inside the Octagon, most recently putting away Brendson Ribeiro at UFC 316 in the opening round. Murzakanov will be taking his first taste of a top-ten opponent.

What’s at Stake: The Bigger Picture

This bout is part of a blockbuster lineup that UFC President Dana White confirmed earlier this week in a video announcement that also included Ankalaev vs. Pereira 2 at UFC 320 and the heavyweight title main event between Aspinall and Gane at UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi.

After Jon Jones formally retired in June, Aspinall was promoted to full champion following his KO win over Curtis Blaydes. Gane, who has come up short against both Jones and Ngannou in past title fights, will be looking to finally claim undisputed gold.

🚨 Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov set for UFC 321 in Abu Dhabi on October 25th, via @UFCEurope pic.twitter.com/WM9fsd0gTM
— Home of Fight (@Home_of_Fight) July 24, 2025

As for Rakic vs. Murzakanov, the implications are clear. A win for Rakic steadies the ship and puts him back in range for top-five relevance. But if Murzakanov pulls this off, he could sneak his way into the title mix by early 2026. Now, on paper, Rakic has the polish, the reach, and the experience, while Murzakanov brings the pressure and the hunger of someone who’s never tasted defeat. Let’s see who prevails.

Mandatory Image Credit: Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports

Aleksandar Rakic

Azamat Murzakanov

UFC 321

Rudra Dubey

nfl

mma

I’m an academic turned sports writer from Raipur, India, specializing in the NFL, MMA, and tennis at The Playoffs. I previously wrote for Sportskeeda and hold a B.A. and M.A. in History. My journey into sports media began far from the field, rooted in the arts and sciences. Funny enough, I didn’t grow up a sports fan; I used to see it all as just noise. But a fateful writing job introduced me to the world of sports, and what began as a gig quickly became a passion. I understood those voices aren’t noise; they’re emotions of true sports fans, and now I am one of them, writing with the same energy I once questioned.