Augusto Sakai
Brazil
Off UFC roster
Sakai was removed from UFC's roster Thursday.
ANALYSIS
Sakai defeated Don'Tale Mayes via unanimous decision in February, though he lost his four previous bouts via knockout. The Brazilian heavyweight won his first four UFC fights prior to the losing streak, so he'll finish his time in the promotion with a 5-4 record.
Sakai defeated Don'Tale Mayes via unanimous decision in February, though he lost his four previous bouts via knockout. The Brazilian heavyweight won his first four UFC fights prior to the losing streak, so he'll finish his time in the promotion with a 5-4 record.
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Breaks long losing streak
Sakai defeated Don'Tale Mayes via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It was nothing short of shocking Sakai was given another opportunity with the UFC despite the fact he entered having suffered four straight knockout losses. He needed to do whatever was necessary to secure a win here and did. Sakai blitzed Mayes with some leg kicks in the early going and did a nice job of limiting his opponent's space throughout the duration the fight. The fact Mayes was dead tired and either unwilling or unable to consistently fire off return shots certainly helped Sakai's cause, but a win is a win. There's nothing to suggest the 31-year-old Brazilian is about to go on any sort of prolonged winning streak given his history, but the victory should ensure he gets another fight with the company.
It was nothing short of shocking Sakai was given another opportunity with the UFC despite the fact he entered having suffered four straight knockout losses. He needed to do whatever was necessary to secure a win here and did. Sakai blitzed Mayes with some leg kicks in the early going and did a nice job of limiting his opponent's space throughout the duration the fight. The fact Mayes was dead tired and either unwilling or unable to consistently fire off return shots certainly helped Sakai's cause, but a win is a win. There's nothing to suggest the 31-year-old Brazilian is about to go on any sort of prolonged winning streak given his history, but the victory should ensure he gets another fight with the company.
Matched with Don'Tale Mayes
Sakai will face Don'Tale Mayes on Feb. 25, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai is in desperate need of a win, having dropped four straight fights by KO or TKO. That run brought his UFC record to 4-4. Mayes is also coming off a loss, dropping his record with the promotion to 2-3.
Sakai is in desperate need of a win, having dropped four straight fights by KO or TKO. That run brought his UFC record to 4-4. Mayes is also coming off a loss, dropping his record with the promotion to 2-3.
Fourth straight knockout loss
Sakai lost to Sergey Spivac via TKO (punches) at 3:42 of Round 2 at UFC on ESPN 40 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's very rare these days for any UFC fighter to ever even be given the opportunity to lose four straight fights via knockout. Not only did Sakai get this chance in this one, but he pulled off the ominous feat. Sakai brings nothing to the table other than power, so the fact he allowed Spivac to land six successful takedowns essentially eliminated any chance he had of winning. Sakai had a long run in Bellator prior to his UFC arrival. He won his first four fights with the company, including two via knockout, but it's all fallen apart over the course of the past two years. It goes without saying the odds of Sakai getting another opportunity with the UFC are exceedingly slim.
It's very rare these days for any UFC fighter to ever even be given the opportunity to lose four straight fights via knockout. Not only did Sakai get this chance in this one, but he pulled off the ominous feat. Sakai brings nothing to the table other than power, so the fact he allowed Spivac to land six successful takedowns essentially eliminated any chance he had of winning. Sakai had a long run in Bellator prior to his UFC arrival. He won his first four fights with the company, including two via knockout, but it's all fallen apart over the course of the past two years. It goes without saying the odds of Sakai getting another opportunity with the UFC are exceedingly slim.
Fighting in August
Sakai will take on Sergey Spivac at the UFC event August 6, Marcel Dorff of Eurosport.nl reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai suffered his third straight knockout defeat last December, falling that time at the hands of Tai Tuivasa. He will hope to get a much needed bounce back against Spivac, who is coming off a TKO win of Greg Hardy in March.
Sakai suffered his third straight knockout defeat last December, falling that time at the hands of Tai Tuivasa. He will hope to get a much needed bounce back against Spivac, who is coming off a TKO win of Greg Hardy in March.
Third straight knockout loss
Sakai lost to Tai Tuivasa via KO (punches) at 0:26 of Round 2 at UFC 269 on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
It's Sakai's third straight knockout defeat and one that could potentially cost him his roster spot. Both men fought to fairly even terms in the opening frame, with the vast majority of Sakai's offense coming from knees to Tuivasa's body. It all fell apart on Augusto early in Round 2 when Tuivasa connected with a combination along the fence which essentially turned Sakai's lights out. Sakai began his UFC run with four-straight victories, but that seems like a distant memory at this point. A heavyweight who can't take a punch has virtually no value, and Sakai has had issues with his chin for well over a year at this point. He'll be lucky to get another opportunity with the company.
It's Sakai's third straight knockout defeat and one that could potentially cost him his roster spot. Both men fought to fairly even terms in the opening frame, with the vast majority of Sakai's offense coming from knees to Tuivasa's body. It all fell apart on Augusto early in Round 2 when Tuivasa connected with a combination along the fence which essentially turned Sakai's lights out. Sakai began his UFC run with four-straight victories, but that seems like a distant memory at this point. A heavyweight who can't take a punch has virtually no value, and Sakai has had issues with his chin for well over a year at this point. He'll be lucky to get another opportunity with the company.