It was probably inevitable.<\/p>\n
Longtime-ranked Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) Light Heavyweight contender Aleksandar Rakic is officially moving up to Heavyweight and will face No. 12-ranked<\/a> Marcin Tybura at UFC Belgrade<\/a> on Sat., Aug. 1, 2026, inside Belgrade Arena in Belgrade, Serbia.<\/p>\n The promotion announced the matchup today.<\/p>\n After spending his entire 20-fight professional MMA career competing at 205 pounds, Rakic (14-6) is finally abandoning the brutal weight cut and moving to Heavyweight \u2014 which honestly makes a lot of sense considering the Serbian striker is an absolute giant at 6\u20195.<\/p>\n Even during his Light Heavyweight run, Rakic looked enormous compared to most of the division and has openly discussed how difficult the cut to 205 pounds had become over the years.<\/p>\n More importantly, the move feels necessary for his career.<\/p>\n Rakic enters the Heavyweight division riding a rough four-fight losing streak, including stoppage losses (watch highlights<\/a>) and the devastating knee injury<\/a> he suffered against Jan Blachowicz that sidelined him for nearly two years.<\/p>\n At 34 years old, a fresh start at Heavyweight may be exactly what he needs and interestingly enough, Rakic is not the only oversized Light Heavyweight making the jump lately.<\/p>\n Johnny Walker is also officially moving to Heavyweight \u2014 and he will compete on the very same UFC Belgrade card against former PFL standout Ante Delija.<\/p>\n As for Tybura (27-11), the longtime UFC veteran will put his No. 12 Heavyweight ranking on the line against the Serbian divisional newcomer.<\/p>\n The 40-year-old Polish grinder is currently riding a two-fight losing streak after suffering an upset knockout loss to Delija (watch highlights<\/a>) before dropping a decision to former Bellator Heavyweight Tyrell Fortune in his most recent outing.<\/p>\n Still, despite the recent losses, Tybura remains one of the division\u2019s toughest outs thanks to his durability, cardio and grappling-heavy style \u2014 which makes him a very interesting first test for Rakic at Heavyweight.<\/p>\n Here is what UFC Belgrade looks like right now:<\/p>\n Uros Medic vs. Daniel Rodriguez
Marcin Tybura vs. Aleksandar Rakic
Ante Delija vs. Johnny Walker
Dusko Todorovic vs. Robert Valentin
Max Gimenis vs. Jovan Leka
Vlasto Cepo vs. Gilbert Urbina<\/p>\n