Highlights: Aleksandar Rakić Revives His Career with Dominant Heavyweight Debut Against Marcin Tybura
For Aleksandar Rakić, UFC Fight Night 283 wasn’t just another fight—it was a fresh start. After four consecutive losses and years of setbacks caused by injuries and elite competition, the Serbian finally stepped into a new chapter of his career by moving up to heavyweight. In front of an emotional home crowd in Belgrade, Rakić delivered his most complete performance in years, outclassing veteran Marcin Tybura over three rounds to earn a unanimous decision. All three judges scored the contest 30-27, giving the former light heavyweight contender his first victory in more than five years.
From the opening bell, it was clear that Rakić hadn’t simply added weight—he had brought his speed with him. Despite giving up size to the naturally bigger Tybura, the Serbian was noticeably quicker in every exchange. He worked behind a sharp jab, mixed in heavy calf kicks, and consistently beat Tybura to the punch whenever the Polish veteran tried to close the distance. Tybura looked for opportunities to clinch and test Rakić’s cardio, but the hometown favorite defended well and refused to let the fight turn into a grinding wrestling battle.
The second round followed a similar pattern. Tybura continued pressing forward, hoping to drag Rakić into deeper waters, but Rakić stayed disciplined and fought at his own pace. Rather than chasing a knockout, he focused on clean combinations, smart footwork, and controlling the center of the Octagon. Every successful exchange seemed to boost his confidence, while Tybura struggled to land anything significant enough to change the momentum. It wasn’t the flashiest performance of Rakić’s career, but it may have been one of his smartest.
Knowing he likely needed a finish entering the final round, Tybura increased the pressure and attempted to force more grappling exchanges. Rakić remained composed throughout, stuffing takedown attempts and continuing to pick apart the veteran with straight punches and kicks from range. His conditioning held up well despite competing at heavyweight for the first time, and by the final horn there was little doubt about who had controlled the fight. It was a mature, methodical performance that never gave Tybura an opportunity to build sustained offense.
For Rakić, this victory could prove to be one of the most important of his career. After years of frustration, injuries, and close losses against elite opponents, he finally looked relaxed and confident inside the Octagon again. The move to heavyweight appears to have revitalized him, allowing him to compete without the difficult weight cut that accompanied his years at 205 pounds. Tybura remains one of the division’s toughest gatekeepers, making this a meaningful win rather than simply a successful debut. If Rakić can build on this performance, his second career in the heavyweight division may prove to be even more successful than his first.
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