Augusto Sakai (photo via UFC / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Augusto Sakai isn’t in the UFC’s heavyweight title shot mix right now. But, the Brazilian fighter believes he could change all that tonight, with a decisive win over Alistair Overeem.

Sakai has been scheduled to face the legendary heavyweight in the headliner of UFC Vegas 9, which will be hosted by the Apex Facility. Sakai has been given the high stakes opportunity, as a result of winning four straight bouts in the Octagon, after he was victorious on Dana White’s Contender Series.

As it stands right now, Sakai is ranked #9 in the UFC’s heavyweight division and Overeem is #6. While talking to the media this week, however, Sakai said he hopes to make a big jump in the rankings with a win tonight (quotes via MMA Fighting).

“There are other names in front of me, of course, but I’m ready to live great things,” Sakai said. “I’ve been battling for years for this moment and it’s time now. We’ll continue to work hard and work right.”

“I believe they could give me one more fight if Ngannou fights for the belt now, and then I’ll definitely be ready for it and pumped for the opportunity. The news of Jon Jones (moving up to heavyweight) makes the division even more crowded, but my focus is on Overeem now. We’ll see what happens after this.”

And while discussing how he sees tonight’s fight playing out, Sakai said this.

“We’re training hard for (the knockout), working on my strong points and his weak points, and I’m expecting a knockout. No rush, it can be in the first or it can be in the fifth round, but I’m expecting a knockout.”

The 29-year-old Sakai (15-1) is coming off a split decision win over Blagoy Ivanov in May. The 40-year-old Overeem (46-18) also fought that month, and stopped Walt Harris.