Aleksandar Rakic (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Although the expectation is that Jiri Prochazka has earned a title shot with his electrifying knockout of Dominick Reyes, Aleksandar Rakic is hoping to battle the rising star first.

Leading up to UFC Vegas 25 last weekend, it was reported that Dana White said the winner of the Dominick Reyes – Prochazka bout, would advance to a championship fight. Light heavyweight champ, Jan Blachowicz, is booked to fight longtime contender, Glover Teixeira on September 4th.

Due to Prochazka’s jaw-dropping KO of Reyes, which extended the former RIZIN champ’s winning streak to 12, it’s believed he will face the winner of Blachowicz – Teixeira. But, while talking to MMA Junkie recently, Rakic said this.

“He did a great performance,” Rakic said about Prochazka. “He knocked out Reyes. He’s now a top contender, and this fight makes sense against Jiri. The result what happened on Saturday is the best thing that could have happened to me because this wakes my attention, my motivation. I’m even now more motivated to go back to the gym, to train harder and harder.”

Rakic, who is coming off a decision win over Thiago Santos in March, also said this.

“I know I can knock anybody out in the division, and I can finish anybody in the division. It’s just a matter of time. I don’t want to force any knockouts or any submission. It will come by itself. But I know what I’m capable of doing, and this is the fight that makes the most sense, me and Jiri, and the winner is gonna fight for the title.”

With his win over Santos, Rakic moved his overall record to 14-2. Prochazka’s record stands at 28-3-1.  Rakic is currently ranked #3 in the UFC’s light heavyweight division and Prochazka is now #2.