Anthony Smith vs. Aleksandar Rakic Prediction and Odds, UFC Fight Night 175
UFC Fight Night 175 offers another MMA blendfresh off an exciting ESPN card. This week, light heavyweights Anthony Smith and Aleksandar Rakic battle for title placement after Jon Jones vacated 205 lb gold.
Frankly, though, Saturday’s five round main event is a head scratcher considering the prolonged beating Smith (+240) took from Glover Teixeira. That night the 32-year-old vet absorbed 202 heavy strikes before an egregiously late stoppage halted one of the company’s more brutal outcomes. Pairing damaged Smith against knockout artist Rakic tips odds at -280 in the latter’s favor.
And that early Vegas confidence is simple: barring his recent controversial split decision loss vs. Volkan Oezdemir, Rakic could stand 5-0 against UFC opponents. Overall, the Vienna, Austria native boasts 10 stoppages in 12 paid wins. Rakic made short work of Jimi Manuwa and Devin Clark before an unlucky break opposite Oezdemir. This weekend should bring the rangy striker target practice against damaged goods. Overall, Rakic uses his 78 inch reach to land 5.17 strikes per minute and 1.20 takedowns per 15 minutes. An active Muay Thai specialist, Rakic will test Smith’s durability.
Meanwhile, Anthony Smith took his worst career defeat opposite shopworn underdog Teixeira to snap a three-fight unbeaten run. It’s worth mentioning ‘Lionheart’ has made 48 pro appearances and showed every second of that high odometer in May. When a fighter loses that badly, looking at his previous stats is moot. However, nine TKO losses peg Smith as a likely knockout victim at UFC Fight Night 175.
The Prediction: Expect prime Rakic to jump Smith early while landing heavy shots to end the scheduled five-rounder well inside distance. Another sustained beating could end no. 5 light heavyweight Anthony Smith’s combat sports tenure -look for a preemptive stoppage if things become too much for the Factory X trainee.
The Pick: Aleksandar Rakic by TKO
Odds courtesy of BestFightOdds.com