The UFC returns to our screens for another talent-stacked fight card from the Apex Center in Las Vegas. Top-ranked light heavyweight contenders Jan Blachowicz and Aleksandar Rakic will meet in the center of the octagon for next weekend’s main event.
Read on for our complete betting guide taking a first look at Blachowicz and Rakic, including updated UFC odds and our free expert betting picks, predictions, and analysis.
Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksandar Rakic
UFC Light Heavyweight Main Event Bout
Saturday, May 14, 2022 – 10:05 PM EDT at UFC Apex Center
Jan Blachowicz (28-9-0)
After losing the light heavyweight championship in his second title defense and taking an eight-month layoff, the return of “Polish Power” is imminent.
Doubters and naysayers of Jan Blachowicz can no longer exist as he stormed through Luke Rockhold, Jacare Souza, Corey Anderson, Dominick Reyes, and Israel Adesanya – finishing three of those opponents via knockout or technical knockout.
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Hailing from Cieszyn, Poland, his professional MMA career began with an authoritative run on the regional European MMA scene. Blachowicz joined the UFC with a 17-3 record, but his early tenure for the promotion delivered a lackluster beginning.
He went 2-4 in the UFC, and critics shared their doubtful thoughts but were eventually corrected as Blachowicz now owns a 9-2 record and a championship accomplishment since 2017.
What Are Jan Blachowicz MMA Accomplishments?
- UFC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time, one defense)
- UFC Fight of the Night (One time)
- UFC Performance of the Night (Five times)
- KSW Light Heavyweight Champion (One time, two defenses)
Jan Blachowicz Best Available Odds: To Win ML (+135) at BetOnline
Aleksandar Rakic (14-2-0)
Austrian kickboxer turned mixed martial arts professional Aleksandar Rakic gradually built his ranking into a top-five position since his UFC debut in 2017. Behind a 6-1 record for the promotion is an elite-level striker coming from back-to-back victories over former title contenders Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos.
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With the former light heavyweight champion meeting Rakic in his first-ever 5-round main event, the significance of this bout could quickly push him into title contention versus the winner of Glover Teixeira or Jiri Prochazka.
Before his venture into MMA, Rakic competed in over 40 kickboxing and boxing bouts. Still, for the previous eleven years, he has established a diverse MMA skill set that involves a heavy grappling offense which has evidently paid off as he’s reached the top tier of the sport.
What Are Aleksandar Rakic MMA Accomplishments?
- UFC Performance of the Night (One time)
Aleksandar Rakic Available Odds: To Win ML (-155) at BetOnline
UFC Vegas 54: Blachowicz vs. Rakic Breakdown and Analysis
Rakic Fight Style and How Can Rakic Defeat Blachowicz?
Rakic is primarily a striker, which is no surprise considering the kickboxing/boxing background he stems from. His counter striking ability is beautiful, as witnessed when the likes of Devin Clark attempted to rush him during their contest, and Rakic was able to sneak in his counter shots within the smallest amount of space to get the TKO stoppage.
However, Rakic doesn’t just lay and pray with counter shots; he also has a pressure game like the one-two high kick combination that knocked out Jimi Manuwa. Rakic has shown little holes in his stand-up game outside of his leg kick defense, and I believe he could out-point Blachowicz on the feet.
Blachowicz Fight Style and How Can Blachowicz Defeat Rakic?
Notably, Blachowicz and Rakic have a similar style, with the most glaring difference coming in the age of Blachowicz. I feel the Polish star will suffer a speed advantage, but as previously mentioned, leg kicks are a viable path to neutralizing Rakic in a striking battle.
I’m not sure we’ll witness much grappling between the two; both men have delivered positive grappling game plans in the past - see Blachowicz vs. Adesanya and Rakic vs. Smith – but should Blachowicz decide to tie up with Rakic, I believe he’ll be out-muscled and lose the exchanges.
The brute strength of Rakic is how most of his takedown exchanges have positioned him in a top position, and he owns one of the heaviest top controls I’ve witnessed in the division. Again, I believe grappling isn’t a viable path to victory for Blachowicz.
Blachowicz stems from a decorated background in muay thai striking. Should he chop the legs of Rakic and drag him into deep waters beyond the third round, the experience in championship rounds could be a massive advantage for the former champion.
Blachowicz vs. Rakic Betting Prediction and UFC Vegas 54 Odds
The available odds are slightly favoring the younger, up-and-coming Aleksandar Rakic. I would’ve personally placed the odds at a pick em’ as this matchup is extremely difficult to predict.
Both men have proven to have solid durability and longevity in their past bouts, Rakic has never fought five rounds, but he’s nearly ten years younger and has never been knocked out during his pro-MMA career. Blachowicz owns championship experience and has fought a stiffer level of competition whilst only suffering one knockout in 37 pro bouts.
UFC Vegas 54 Pick
I anticipate a steady pace, and picking a moneyline makes me nauseous. For this reason, I’m going to side with this contest surpassing the seven-and-a-half-minute mark, making the over 2 ½ rounds a viable UFC pick, in my opinion.
At the time of press, odds on the totals market are unavailable so we’ll update them ASAP.
UFC Vegas 54 Pick: Over 2 ½ Rounds (-163) at BetOnline (visit our BetOnline Review)
*The line and/or odds on picks in this article might have moved since the content was commissioned. For updated line movements, visit BMR’s free betting odds product.
