The UFC returns to the United Arab Emirates this weekend for a Fight Night event, and the promotion is already filling up the October Abu Dhabi pay-per-view with “big boys”.
The company announced Thursday that Aleksandar Rakic gets his chance to snap a three-fight losing skid at UFC 321 on Oct. 25, when he faces undefeated Russian talent Azamat Murzakanov
.Rakic is holding on to the No. 8 spot at 205 pounds in the MMA Fighting Global Rankings, while the surging Murzakanov currently stands at No. 11.
UFC also officially announced a heavyweight clash between Alexander Volkov and Jailton Almeida, which was first reported by MMA Fighting. UFC 321 is headlined by Tom Aspinall’s first defense of the undisputed heavyweight belt versus Ciryl Gane.
Rakic (14-5) had an incredible start in the promotion with six wins in seven appearances from 2017 and 2021, losing only in a split decision to Volkan Oezdemir. His career took a turn after he suffered a leg injury against Jan Blachowicz in 2022. The injury forced Rakic to go through a long recovery process and he returned to action in 2024, losing to former and future champions Jiri Prochazka and Magomed Ankalaev.
Murzakanov (15-0) has won five in a row in the UFC, capped off by a first-round knockout of Brendson Ribeiro this past June. The Brave CF openweight tournament champion also holds a stoppage victory over future PFL season finalist Matheus Scheffel on Dana White’s Contender Series.
Three other bouts have been made official for UFC 321: 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) (heavyweight).
More from mmafighting.com:
- Tom Aspinall defends heavyweight title against Ciryl Gane in UFC 321 main event
- Morning Report: Justin Gaethje wonders if potential Paddy Pimblett fight means UFC doesn’t ‘need me anymore’
- Sean Strickland suspension extended after attacking fighter in cage at Las Vegas event
- Cody Brundage loss to Mansur Abdul-Malik overturned by Georgia commission
- Ilia Topuria rips Arman Tsarukyan, responds to Max Holloway’s BMF comments
- Tom Aspinall reacts to first undisputed heavyweight title defense vs. Ciryl Gane at UFC 321
- Video: Darren Till, Luke Rockhold get physical, separated by slew of security in first Misfits staredown
