Recent RotoWire Articles Featuring Augusto Sakai
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On books for May 1 bout
Sakai will fight Shamil Abdurakhimov on the UFC's May 1 card, Raphael Marinho of Combate.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai's five-match winning streak to open his UFC career ended early in the fifth round of his match with Alistair Overeem via an elbow in what was an otherwise reasonably close fight. Next up is a fighter in Abdurakhimov who is looking for redemption as well following his third loss within the UFC promotion. Both fighters stand 6-foot-3 but Sakai holds a one-inch reach advantage, which he will likely aim to use to keep Abdurakhimov at bay as he looks to land significant strikes early and often.
Sakai's five-match winning streak to open his UFC career ended early in the fifth round of his match with Alistair Overeem via an elbow in what was an otherwise reasonably close fight. Next up is a fighter in Abdurakhimov who is looking for redemption as well following his third loss within the UFC promotion. Both fighters stand 6-foot-3 but Sakai holds a one-inch reach advantage, which he will likely aim to use to keep Abdurakhimov at bay as he looks to land significant strikes early and often.
Left bloody in first UFC loss
Sakai lost to Alistair Overeem via TKO (punches) at 0:26 seconds of Round 5 at UFC Fight Night on Saturday in Las Vegas.
ANALYSIS
Sakai was doing well blitzing forward and landing strikes, but it seemed like he was getting tired down the stretch. This was exacerbated when Overeem began to get his takedown game going in the latter half of the bout, which eventually let to a brutal ground-pound stoppage. Sakai had laid low every UFC challenger up to this point, but it's worth wondering if he doesn't quite have the gas tank for five-round fights, as this was the first such fight of his career. While he is unquestionably a good boxer and athlete, it seems like Overeem's clinch game was a bit too much for him over the course of 25 minutes He falls to 15-2-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Sakai was doing well blitzing forward and landing strikes, but it seemed like he was getting tired down the stretch. This was exacerbated when Overeem began to get his takedown game going in the latter half of the bout, which eventually let to a brutal ground-pound stoppage. Sakai had laid low every UFC challenger up to this point, but it's worth wondering if he doesn't quite have the gas tank for five-round fights, as this was the first such fight of his career. While he is unquestionably a good boxer and athlete, it seems like Overeem's clinch game was a bit too much for him over the course of 25 minutes He falls to 15-2-1 in professional MMA as a result of the loss.
Finalizing September bout
Sakai is lined up to face Alistair Overeem in a heavyweight match at UFC Fight Night on Sept. 5, MMAJunkie.com reports.
ANALYSIS
Sakai has already served the full term of the minimum medical suspension he was handed following his win over Blagoy Ivanov in late May, making him eligible to return to the octagon. The 29-year-old has put together four straight victories since joining the UFC mid-2019, and he'll look to keep his undefeated record intact against Overeem in September.
Sakai has already served the full term of the minimum medical suspension he was handed following his win over Blagoy Ivanov in late May, making him eligible to return to the octagon. The 29-year-old has put together four straight victories since joining the UFC mid-2019, and he'll look to keep his undefeated record intact against Overeem in September.
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.