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The biggest Brazilian promise in the heavyweight division today, 29-year-old Augusto Sakai faced the biggest challenge of his career when he faced forces with veteran Alistair Overeem in today’s UFC Las Vegas main event. And after five rounds of many blows, the athlete from Curitiba found his first loss in the octagon of the biggest MMA show in the world.
After a better start, Sakai lost his performance and, tired, saw the Dutchman’s experience come into play. Aware of the damage, Overeem tried to invest in falls and ground and pounds, which guaranteed him victory by knockout in the last round of the confrontation;
With the result, the 40-year-old Dutchman won his second race in a row and is already looking for a new opportunity to contest the category title. In turn, the Curitiba native now has a lineup with 15 wins and two losses.
The struggle
Sakai started the fight well and pressed Overeem with straight ropes and knee pads that cornered the Dutchman three times against the cage. In turn, the veteran former K-1 champion bet on singles, either front kick or left cross, in an attempt to get the knockout. Minimum advantage for the Brazilian: Sakai 10 x 9 Overeem.
Using the same strategy, Sakai walked forward during most of the confrontation and assumed the role of hunter in front of a calculating opponent, who tried to save in his attacks in search of a safe attack. New advantage for the Brazilian, who showed an evolution in his attack volume. Sakai 20 x 18 Overeem.
Right at the start of the third round, the Curitiba heavyweight went on the attack and connected a sequence of crusaders to an opponent who, next to the grid, was only defending. Aware of the downside, Overeem waited for the right moment to spike and strike, paving the way for ground and a shot that balanced the actions. Sakai 29 x 28 Overeem.
In the fourth round, the Brazilian started better and, although visibly tired, imposed territorial dominance to the point of opening pressure on the rival with combinations that opened cuts in his face. Also, the repeated kicks to the legs seemed to affect the Dutchman’s mobility. However, the seasoned veteran fell again, with a precise ground and a precise blow, to punish the native of Curitiba, who almost missed. Sakai 38 x 38 Overeem.
In the fifth and final round, the former K-1 champion quickly dropped and, with a quick sequence of elbows on the ground, forced the referee to interrupt the dispute, much to the displeasure of Sakai, who guaranteed that he could keep fighting.
Follow UFC Las Vegas 9 results:
Alistair Overeem knocked out Augusto Sakai not 5th round;
Ovince Saint Preux knockout Alonzo Menifield no 2nd round;
Michel Pereira submitted Zelim Imadaev in the third round;
André ‘Sergipano’ introduced Bartosz Fabi? ski in the 1st round;
Brian Kelleher submitted Ray Rodriguez in the 1st round;
Viviane araújo defeated Montana De La Rosa by unanimous decision;
Hunter Azure defeated Cole Smith by unanimous decision.
