Rakić Emotional After Historic Victory in Belgrade
Austrian fighter of Serbian origin breaks five-year losing streak at the first UFC event in Serbia.
Austrian fighter of Serbian origin breaks five-year losing streak at the first UFC event in Serbia.
A few days after the dust settled on the historic UFC event in Belgrade, Aleksandar Rakić shared an emotional message on social media. The mixed martial arts (MMA) fighter reflected on his victory over the experienced Polish fighter Marcin Tybura, which he secured by unanimous decision after three rounds on Saturday, August 1, 2026.
For Rakić, this was a particularly significant moment as he broke a long five-year winless streak, marked by injuries, setbacks, and, as he described it, "some of the toughest moments in my life."
Rakić emphasized that over the past few months, he has pushed himself harder than ever, both physically and mentally. "I'm back. This time in the heavyweight division," he wrote, adding that he has grown not only as a fighter but also as a person. He is aware that there is still room for improvement and is willing to sacrifice everything to become a better athlete.
He specifically addressed the pressure he felt heading into this fight. "I've had many fights in my career, but I've never felt pressure like I did before this one. Without mental strength and complete focus, I wouldn't have succeeded," Rakić admitted. The energy from the crowd and the entire Arena gave him, as he says, incredible strength, and he describes such moments as rare and extremely precious.
In his post, Rakić did not forget to thank everyone who has been part of his journey. He had special words for his coaches, team, friends, family, and every fan who believed in him.
Interestingly, Rakić also sent a message to those who doubted him. "Thank you too. You give me even more motivation to work harder, smarter, and to keep proving what's possible. Just keep it up," the fighter said.
"Saturday night is something I will never forget. The UFC made history with its first event in Belgrade, and I had the honor of securing a unanimous decision victory over the experienced Marcin Tybura. This is a big step forward in my career."
He concluded his message with the words: "Thank you, Serbia, for an unforgettable night," once again emphasizing how much the support of the home crowd meant to him at this historic event.