Aleksandar Rakic, known as “Rocket,” is a rising star in the UFC’s light heavyweight division, boasting an impressive 14-4 record. A member of the prestigious American Top Team, Rakic’s journey began at a young age, and by the time he turned 20, he had already amassed nearly 40 fights. This level of dedication and resilience is a testament to his unwavering commitment to mixed martial arts.

He has seen many challenges throughout his life, but what kept him going towards his faith and hard work. So let’s dive deep into his background and see what he believes in.

Is Aleksandar Rakic a Christian? 

Aleksandar Rakic, a Serbian native born in Vienna, Austria, initially pursued his athletic career through football, playing for his school team. However, his aggressive playing style led to his dismissal from the team. At the age of 12, Rakic turned to boxing and kickboxing as a means to channel his energy. While pursuing his MMA dream, he also worked at a hotel to support himself financially.

Rakic has openly expressed his faith in God throughout his career, sharing numerous posts about his religious beliefs on Facebook and Instagram. In 2019, he visited the Annunciation of Holy Theotokos to seek blessings before a fight, showcasing his deep devotion to Christianity.

Rakic has demonstrated his faith in God even within the octagon, performing a Christian blessing by raising a cross and touching it to his forehead before commencing a fight. Additionally, Rakic is vocal about his Serbian heritage and culture, often posting about it on social media. He has proudly expressed his pride in his ethnicity and roots on Instagram.

He even proudly wears numerous tattoos on his body that reflect his ethnicity and echo his personality, beliefs, and life experiences. Among other interesting tattoos, he has a Christian Cross etched on his right upper arm reflecting his strong faith and attachment to his culture and origin.

More about Aleksandar Rakic’s early life and roots

‘Rocket’ might have been born in Vienna, Serbia, but he represents Austria in the UFC. When it comes to his early life, he was so inclined to get into master arts that he worked at a hotel to support himself. But finally, after all the hard work and perseverance, it was his time to shine. At the age of 16, he met Muay Thai specialist Günter Strasser, and his journey to becoming a MMA fighter kicked off in style.

He joined the UFC with an 8-1 MMA record garnered over 6 years, in events held in Austria and Germany. Throughout his journey to go to the top, he always remembered to pray and thank his lord for safeguarding his career. 

Rakic is known for his religious devotion, frequently visiting churches, particularly before fights. Recently, he shared a series of photos from his visit to the St. Simeon Serbian Orthodox Church in Las Vegas. Additionally, he was seen wearing a Christian cross necklace during the UFC 300 weigh-ins. Rakic’s faith remains a constant presence in his life, regardless of his location or the outcome of his fights. As he prepares to face Magomed Ankalaev at UFC 308, fans are eager to see if Rakic’s unwavering belief will propel him to victory.