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Minimum suspension from fight
Sakai will face the minimum medical suspension after his win over Blagoy Ivanov on Saturday, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai won by split decision to bring his record in the UFC to 4-0. He will not be able to have contact until June 21 and not be able to fight again until June 30th.
Sakai won by split decision to bring his record in the UFC to 4-0. He will not be able to have contact until June 21 and not be able to fight again until June 30th.
Barely gets by Blagoy Ivanov
Sakai defeated Blagoy Ivanov via split decision (27-30, 29-28, 29-28) at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Sakai was just slightly more effective in a fight in which both men struggled to pull away from the other. Armed with a four-inch edge in the height department, Sakai did a nice job of keeping Ivanov on the outside. Ivanov landed his fair share of shots, but Sakai did a nice job of ensuring he didn't connect with a second or third try. The Brazilian's best offensive weapon was his kicks. He recognized they were working from the early going and continued to fire them throughout the course of the bout. He also might have caught a break in this one, as Ivanov appeared to be in good position for a takedown at one point, but Sakai grabbed the fence to remain upright, and the move went unpunished by the referee. Sakai is a bit robotic in his movements, but you can't argue with the results. He's a perfect 4-0 in the UFC and has just one loss in his pro career.
Sakai was just slightly more effective in a fight in which both men struggled to pull away from the other. Armed with a four-inch edge in the height department, Sakai did a nice job of keeping Ivanov on the outside. Ivanov landed his fair share of shots, but Sakai did a nice job of ensuring he didn't connect with a second or third try. The Brazilian's best offensive weapon was his kicks. He recognized they were working from the early going and continued to fire them throughout the course of the bout. He also might have caught a break in this one, as Ivanov appeared to be in good position for a takedown at one point, but Sakai grabbed the fence to remain upright, and the move went unpunished by the referee. Sakai is a bit robotic in his movements, but you can't argue with the results. He's a perfect 4-0 in the UFC and has just one loss in his pro career.
Ivanov fight appears on
Sakai is in line to take on Blagoy Ivanov in a heavyweight matchup scheduled for May 30 in Las Vegas, MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 250 on May 9, but visa issues prevented Sakai from making the trip. Later, Combate reported that the bout would be re-booked for May 23, but that event was ultimately scrapped without a location. It was announced shortly thereafter that the event would instead take place May 30 in Las Vegas, and there has been no indication since that this heavyweight bout is off the card. Sakai opened as a betting underdog for the originally-scheduled matchup but currently sits as a slight betting favorite of (-120).
The two were originally scheduled to face off at UFC 250 on May 9, but visa issues prevented Sakai from making the trip. Later, Combate reported that the bout would be re-booked for May 23, but that event was ultimately scrapped without a location. It was announced shortly thereafter that the event would instead take place May 30 in Las Vegas, and there has been no indication since that this heavyweight bout is off the card. Sakai opened as a betting underdog for the originally-scheduled matchup but currently sits as a slight betting favorite of (-120).
Won't fight at UFC 250
Sakai will no longer compete at UFC 250 due to visa issues resulting from the event's location change, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai was scheduled for a matchup with Blagoy Ivanov that would have given him an opportunity to shoot up the company's heavyweight rankings. With the arena that was originally scheduled to host the event now being used as a hospital, the UFC was ultimately forced to change the event's location. That left Sakai unable to secure a work visa to get to the new location, along with a large group of other Brazilian fighters scheduled to compete on the card. It's unclear if Ivanov will be subject to similar travel restrictions, or if the company will elect to reschedule this fight at a later date.
Sakai was scheduled for a matchup with Blagoy Ivanov that would have given him an opportunity to shoot up the company's heavyweight rankings. With the arena that was originally scheduled to host the event now being used as a hospital, the UFC was ultimately forced to change the event's location. That left Sakai unable to secure a work visa to get to the new location, along with a large group of other Brazilian fighters scheduled to compete on the card. It's unclear if Ivanov will be subject to similar travel restrictions, or if the company will elect to reschedule this fight at a later date.
Booked for UFC 250
Sakai will take on Blagoy Ivanov in a heavyweight matchup at UFC 250 on May 9, Guilherme Cruz of MMAFighting.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai remained undefeated in the Octagon during his most recent fight in September when he defeated Marcin Tybura via KO (punches) at UFC Vancouver. It was a dominant showing as Sakai required less than a minute to defeat Tybura. Ivanov is coming off a loss to Derrick Lewis via split decision at UFC 244 in November, bringing his UFC record to 2-2. Despite the loss, Ivanov showcased his toughness against Lewis' striking and managed to get Lewis on the mat several times. Sakai carries height and reach advantages into the matchup.
Sakai remained undefeated in the Octagon during his most recent fight in September when he defeated Marcin Tybura via KO (punches) at UFC Vancouver. It was a dominant showing as Sakai required less than a minute to defeat Tybura. Ivanov is coming off a loss to Derrick Lewis via split decision at UFC 244 in November, bringing his UFC record to 2-2. Despite the loss, Ivanov showcased his toughness against Lewis' striking and managed to get Lewis on the mat several times. Sakai carries height and reach advantages into the matchup.