UFC 321 full card final faceoffs at ceremonial weigh-ins
UFC 321 ceremonial weigh-in faceoffs are complete with the 13-fight card having final staredowns
Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov meet in the main card opener of UFC 321 at Etihad Arena in Abu Dhabi. Check out this quick breakdown of the matchup from MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom.
Last event: 3-3
UFC main cards, 2025: 101-76-1
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov UFC 321 preview
Rakic (14-5 MMA, 6-4 UFC) will look to stop the proverbial bleeding as he enters on a three-fight skid that includes two stoppage losses. The 33-year-old’s last win came against Thiago Santos at UFC 259 in March 2021. Murzakanov (15-0 MMA, 5-0 UFC) aims to keep his unblemished record intact in his second fight of the year. In five UFC appearances, Murzakanov, 36, has finished four of his opponents, including his most recent, Brendson Ribeiro.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov UFC 321 expert pick, prediction
The paid portion of the card kicks off with a ranked light heavyweight bout between Aleksandar Rakic and Azamat Murzakanov.
Although I love the Joe Silva-style of card formatting by front-loading PPV main cards with lighter-weight fights, this battle of big boys should produce some decent action on the feet.
I would love to see Rakic get back to the wrestling instincts he showed early on in his UFC career, but he’s seemed much more content with out-fighting since returning from a serious knee injury.
Murzakanov, on the other hand, is an undefeated southpaw wrecking ball who has quietly been climbing the ranks.
Despite being a bit undersized on paper, Murzakanov shows excellent skills and underrated speed and athleticism that continue to surprise his contemporaries in the form of wicked left hands.
Add in the fact that left hands seem to be Rakic’s common culprit, and I can’t help but side with Murzakanov in this spot.
The pick is Murzakanov by knockout in Round 2.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov UFC 321 odds
The oddsmakers opened the Russian fighter as a slight favorite, but public money has pushed this to pick’em odds, listing Rakic -110 and Murzakanov -110 via FanDuel.
Aleksandar Rakic vs. Azamat Murzakanov UFC 321 start time, how to watch
As the main card opener, Rakic and Murzakanov are expected to walk to the cage at approximately 2:10 p.m. ET. The fight broadcasts live on ESPN+ pay-per-view.
