EXCLUSIVE | Antun Racic Excited to Face Jack Cartwright at OKTAGON 48

Antun Racic claimed his matchup against the ‘tough’ Jack Cartwright at OKTAGON 48 could ‘easily be fight of the night’.

Racic has a wealth of combat experience, fighting across multiple organisations all across the world. On the other hand, Cartwright is yet to turn 30 and will be making his OKTAGON debut this weekend in Manchester following a loss on Dana White’s Contender Series in 2022.

These sorts of matchups usually make for exciting fights, and the Croatian agreed when discussing his upcoming fight with the Englishman.

He said: “Like always, I don’t usually prepare specifically for some guys because, in my gym, I have a lot of great fighters from the biggest MMA organisations in the world. I spar with them almost every day.

“So I’m always working on all aspects of MMA. I do all rounds, what I can do, and I also have a lot of experience. I know Jack is a tough opponent, so when I’m preparing for the fight, I don’t watch opponents as if it’s going to be easy. I take it seriously, and I always train hard as much as I can.

“I’m ready to give my best in Manchester to show people that this is going to be my 40th professional MMA fight. So I’m excited about this, Jack is an ex-Cage Warriors champion, and I’m an ex-KSW champion. I believe it can easily be the fight of the night.”

Racic Reveals Fighting Motivations in 2023

Motivation for fighters will differ often depending on age and financial situation. Some are fighting for legacy, while others simply see it as a means of providing for their family.

‘Killer’s’ MMA career began in 2009 when he was just 19 years old, he has since had almost 40 fights across many high-level organisations.

Now, his reasons for fighting have changed as he reaches this late stage of his career.

He said: “I like to say that when I started my career, I was fighting for myself, for my ego, for everything. But now that I’m older and I have 40 fights, this is not a small number with a good record. It’s not a very good record, but it’s good. I fought in big organisations like M1, Global, FFC, KSW, and more. I’ve fought with good guys.

“My body is also tired from everything, but sometimes you have to find a reason and motivation. I think I’m a person like that. If you give me a lot, I feel that I have to give you something back. The only thing I can give back is to give my best in the fights.

“My greatest motivation is my family, my girlfriend, my friends, the people who support me, and my team, especially those who are with me for two months before [the fight]. They are all my motivation to keep going.

“Sometimes when you’re tired of everything, you have to find motivation in people around you, like your family, your team, your friends, people who support you, your sponsors. I believe that I have to give them something back because they are not there for nothing. They are pushing me forward, and I want to show that I’m still here and I keep going.”