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Smith vs. Rakic Main Event of Ranked Light Heavyweights at UFC Fight Night

UFC Fight Night Smith vs. Rakic – Main Event Bout Betting

Saturday night’s Fight Night main event features two ranked light heavyweight contenders.  Namely, Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic are aspiring champions.  Which is what makes this UFC betting matchup so important.  A win means the inside track for a championship opportunity.  However, a loss could mean the end of those dreams forever.  Both fighters are coming off losses.  Rakic had won 12 in a row before his loss.  While Smith has slumped in recent events.  As a result, this is the most important fight for both combatant’s careers.

UFC Fight Night Smith vs. Rakic – Main Event Bout Betting Information

Date: Saturday, August 29th, 2020
Time: 9 p.m. ET
Location: UFC APEX, Las Vegas, Nevada
TV Coverage: ESPN+

Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic – Light Heavyweight Bout
Odds

Fighter ML
Smith +235
Rakic -275
Place Bets

Smith vs. Rakic Light Heavyweight Bout Odds Overview

On this occasion, Smith’s recent struggles have made him the sportsbook odds underdog.  In like manner has Rakic’s body of work impressed gamblers.

#5 Anthony “Lionheart” Smith Profile and Record

Anthony Smith, age 32, is a native of Corpus Christi, Texas.  Now he fights out of Omaha, Nebraska.  Smith fights from an orthodox stance and has a striker style.  He has competed with UFC bets as a middleweight and light heavyweight.  Previously Smith fought in Strikeforce and Bellator.  He ranks fifth in the UFC light heavyweight rankings.  Smith is a past Cage Fury Middleweight champion.  And he won the Victory FC Middleweight title.

Record:  32-15, Country: United States, Height: six feet, four inches, Weight: 205 pounds, Reach: 76 inches, Leg Reach:  44 inches, Win By KO/TKO:  58%, Submission:  35%, Decision:   6%, Average Fight Time: 11:47, Knockdown Average:  0.49, Significant Strikes landed per minute:  3.26, Significant Strikes:  47%, Absorbed per minute: 5 Defense:  43%, Grappling takedown average:  0.49, Takedown Accuracy:  27%, Takedown Defense: 51%, Submission Average:  0.49

#9 Aleksandar Rakic Profile and Record

Austria native Aleksandar Rakic is age 28 and resides in Vienna.  He is ranked eighth with the Sportsbook odds as a UFC light heavyweight.  Since 2011 Rakic has been a professional.  He once competed in the Final Fight Championship.   So too does Rakic employ an orthodox stance and striker style.

Record:  12-2, Country:  Austria, Height: six feet, four inches, Weight: 205 pounds, Reach:  78 inches, Leg Reach:  46 inches, Win By KO/TKO:  76%, Submission:  8%, Decision: 17%, Average Fight Time: 9:58, Knockdown Average:  0.9 Significant Strikes landed per minute:  5.17, Significant Strikes:  52%, Absorbed per minute: 2.41, Defense:  53%, Grappling takedown average:  1.2, Takedown Accuracy:  28%, Takedown Defense: 88%, Submission Average:  0.3

Anthony Smith Recent Form

Late on Anthony Smith has slumped with two MMA betting losses in his last three fights.  Which is why Smith is an underdog for this bout.

Smith faced Glover Teixeira on May 13, 2020, for UFC Fight Night from Jacksonville, Florida.  To show Teixeira won a technical knockout at 1:04 of the fifth round.

And then June 1, 2019, Smith faced Alexander Gustafsson at UFC Fight Night in Stockholm, Sweden.  Smith scored a submission rear-naked choke win in the fourth round at 2:38.

Aleksandar Rakic Recent Form

Last time out for Alexander Rakic was against Volkan Oezdemir.  December 21, 2019, was the date for UFC Fight Night in South Korea.  Oezdemir scored a split decision Online sportsbook win.  The outcome ended a 12-bout winning streak for Rakic.

Previously Rakic faced Jimi Manuwa on June 1, 2019.  UFC Fight Night from Stockholm Sweden was the event.  Rakic posted a first-round head kick knockout win.  The knockout came in 42 seconds.

December 8, 2018, was UFC 231 from Toronto, Ontario.  Specifically, Rakic faced Devin Clark.  Rakic scored a first-round technical knockout win at the 4:05 mark.

Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic Light Heavyweight Bout Free Picks

In this situation, Rakic has a more reliable body of work.  Of major concern is Smith’s drop in production.  Even at his underdog price, Smith has shown a decline in ability.

Smith vs. Rakic CASHBET Best Bet:  Aleksandar Rakic

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