UFC on ESPN 36: Jan Blachowicz vs. Aleksander Rakic Picks and Predictions

Click Here for the Latest Odds

Jan Blachowicz and Aleksander Rakic face off on Saturday in a light heavyweight showdown in the main event of UFC on ESPN 36 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Blachowicz is currently ranked 1st in the UFC in the light heavyweight division while Rakic is ranked 3rd. 

Jan Blachowicz comes into this fight with a 28-9 record overall, and he had won five fights in a row before losing the last fight. Against Glover Teixeria in October of 2021, he actually didn’t look terrible, but in the second round, he was put in a bad position, and finished by a rear-naked choke. Two fights ago against Israel Adesanya, Blachowicz outstruck his opponent 107-78 and that was enough to win by unanimous decision. The two previous wins before that were knockouts. Blachowicz is averaging 3.59 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 2.79 significant strikes per minute. He is averaging 1.14 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 53 percent of the takedown attempts. He also stops 66 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts. 

On the other side of this matchup is Aleksander Rakic who sits with a 14-2 record overall and he has won two fights in a row. In Rakic’s last game against Thiago Santos, he was actually outstruck 49-36 but still secured the unanimous decision victory. Rakic is averaging 4.23 significant strikes per minute while absorbing 2.23 significant strikes per minute. Rakic is averaging 0.75 takedowns every 15 minutes and he is successful on 25 percent of his takedown attempts. Rakic also stops 90 percent of his opponent's takedown attempts. Each of the last two wins by Rakic has been by unanimous decision, and the last loss was back in 2019 by a split decision. 

There is so much on the line for both of the fighters heading into this fight, and the winner will probably get a shot at the title. Blachowicz looked awful in his last fight against Teixeria, but what he did before that was quite impressive. Against Adesanya, Blachowicz looked dominant, and I think he goes back to that fighting style here. Blachowicz has fought the tougher fighters heading into this one. Rakic is going to find success here in not getting knocked out, but he isn’t going to do enough to win. Back Blachowicz by decision. 

The pick in this article is the opinion of the writer, not a PickDawgz site consensus.

Mitch's Take...

Words From The Pick Dawgz Family 11-30-24

18+ Has gambling become a problem for you? Call the National Problem Gambling Hotline.
1-800-522-4700 | ncpgambling.org

Credit Guaranteed Packages

Packages with Credit Guarantees automatically give you a credit if the package does not turn a profit—the sum of betting all individual picks. THESE ARE NOT PARLAYS UNLESS OTHERWISE CLEARLY STATED. If a credit guaranteed package does not profit, a credit for its full purchase price is automatically issued after picks are graded and verified.

For example, if you purchase a $39.95 package that doesn’t profit, you’ll get a $39.95 credit towards any future purchase(s) on our site. Credits are usually issued within hours of a game’s conclusion, so please allow a few hours for final verification.

To use your credits, log in to your account and add another package or pass to your cart. Credits will automatically reduce what you owe. Any remaining balance will be settled through our payment system, with any leftover credits available future purchases. Credits do not expire.

Dismiss