The Columbus Dispatch

Tickets on sale soon for UFC Fight Night

- From Staff Reports

Tickets for the recently announced UFC Fight Night event in Columbus will go on sale Jan. 14.

Aleksandar Rakic (14-2 MMA, 6-1 UFC) will face former UFC light heavyweigh­t champion Jan Blachowicz (28-9 MMA, 11-6 UFC) on March 26 at Nationwide Arena.

Rakic, 29, is coming off back-toback victories over Anthony Smith and Thiago Santos and hopes a win will earn him a shot at the light heavyweigh­t title.

“I need to make a statement,” Rakic told MMA News this week. “I need to prove to fans and the UFC that I am going to be the next champion, and I'm going to get my title shot. It doesn't matter if it goes 25 minutes of war or if I finish him in the first. I need to make a statement. I am so motivated ... I am really fired up.”

Blachowicz, 38, had won five straight bouts before losing his 205pound championsh­ip Oct. 30 to Glover Teixeira by submission at UFC 257.

 ?? KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS ?? Jan Blachowicz (pictured) will fight Aleksandar Rakic in a light heavyweigh­t matchup this March in Columbus.
KIRBY LEE/USA TODAY SPORTS Jan Blachowicz (pictured) will fight Aleksandar Rakic in a light heavyweigh­t matchup this March in Columbus.

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