Aleksandar Rakić, once a rising star in the UFC with an impressive run since 2017, now finds himself at a crossroads following three consecutive losses. The heavyweight contender has made a decisive move, parting ways with his entire team, including Gym 23 and its American Top Team affiliate, signaling a fresh start in his career. ‘The Rocket’s’ decline began with a crushing defeat against former champion Jan Blachowicz, a fight that ended in a brutal knockout and marked the start of his struggles. The Austrian could not recover in his next bout, falling short against the ranked #2 contender Jiri Prochazka.

Most recently, at UFC 308 in Abu Dhabi this past October, Aleksandar Rakić suffered another setback, losing to Magomed Ankalaev, a potential future title challenger. These losses have prompted a complete reassessment of his training approach and team dynamics. The pressing question now is: what’s next for The Austrian? Which gym will he choose to reignite his career? Speculation swirled after the Instagram page Black Belt MMA reported that ‘The Rocket’ is set to join Jon Jones’ gym, Jackson’s MMA Acoma, in Albuquerque, New Mexico.

The rumor quickly gained traction, sparking excitement and debate within the MMA community. However, The Austrian addressed the speculation directly in the comments, stating, “I’m still not in contact with (Jon) Jones and his team.” While quashing the immediate rumors, he hinted at the possibility of training there in the future, adding, “My plans are, in the future, to contact them and to go there to train if it’s possible. OSU!!!”

Aleksandar Rakić, who left soccer behind at the age of 12, embarked on a groundbreaking journey in combat sports. He began training in martial arts at age 14 and transitioned into MMA in his twenties, steadily carving out a name for himself in the sport. His time at Gym 23 in Vienna, under Nebil Sebai, and at a Zagreb, Croatia affiliate of American Top Team, accounts for much of his success.

Now, following his decision to part ways with his team, Aleksandar Rakić is exploring gyms around the globe with a calculated approach, ensuring he finds the perfect fit before committing. At 32 years old, the Austrian fighter still has plenty left in the tank, even as he approaches the latter stages of his athletic prime. His recent struggles present opportunities for growth, and despite an impressive 12-fight winning streak that carried him from the regional circuit to the UFC, ‘The Rocket’ is driven by the belief that his best is yet to come. So, what’s driving the Austrian forward? What’s the itch that remains for the Austrian prospect? Let’s hear from the man himself.

Aleksandar Rakić’s sadness after Jon Jones’ heavyweight Move

In 2021, two-division UFC champion Jon Jones stunned the MMA world by stepping away from the light heavyweight division, where he had dominated for over a decade, and making the move to heavyweight. ‘Bones’ decision to test himself in a new weight class left many, including rising stars like Aleksandar Rakić, questioning their place in the division. For ‘The Rocket’, who had only just established himself in the UFC, the move raised the inevitable question: How does one cement their legacy in the sport’s biggest promotion? The answer clearly seemed to be defeating someone like Jon Jones, a fighter who had never truly been defeated in his career.

However, the champion’s move to heavyweight dashed Aleksandar Rakić’s dream of facing him. The news left the Austrian feeling conflicted, with sadness taking precedence. In an interview with MMA Fighting in 2020, he expressed his disappointment, saying, “I’m sad because if you become a champion in light heavyweight, people are going to say, ‘You need to beat Jon Jones to become the real light heavyweight champion.’ So you’re never going to be the champion in the people’s eyes. You need to beat him.”

Despite this setback, ‘The Rocket’ hasn’t completely given up hope. He remains open to the possibility of one day facing Jon Jones in the heavyweight division, stating, “Maybe in the future, I’m going to meet Jon in the heavyweight division. You never know what’s going to happen.”

What’s your take on Aleksandar Rakić’s latest run in the promotion, considering his consecutive three losses? Do you think it’s the right time for the Austrian to consider a move to the heavyweight division, where he could revive his career and fulfill his buried desire to face Jon Jones? This move could also change the course of his career, much like it has for many fighters in the promotion, with Joaquin Buckley being a recent example. Drop your opinion below.