Augusto Sakai Expects “Quick” Finish of Jairzinho Rozenstruik
By FCF Staff
Augusto Sakai believes he may not need much time to return to the win column at UFC Vegas 28, when he faces Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Sakai will face his fellow, heavyweight contender in the main event of Saturday’s card. The fight will mark the first time Sakai has competed since he was stopped by Alistair Overeem in September.
While speaking with MMA Fighting recently, Sakai made the following prediction for his bout with Rozenstruik.
“I expect a good fight and a win. A quick one. I want to end this fight as soon as possible, by knockout or submission. I’m ready to put on a great show, but we know Jairzinho is very tough and hits really hard. He has a lot of knockouts in the division, so we have to be smart and be careful. But I hope to end this fight as quick as possible, and I’m ready for it.”
“Ngannou made him walk backwards and was able to connect a hand, so that’s an opening [in his game],” he said of Rozenstruik’s first UFC loss loss. “Overeem didn’t win, but he dominated every round until Jairzinho landed his hand. Making him walk backwards and maybe attack with takedowns, attack with my grappling, that’s another opening I see.”
The 30-year-old Sakai (15-2-1) had won six in a row prior to facing Overeem, and is ranked #9 in the UFC’s heavyweight division.
Rozenstruik (11-2) is coming off a decision loss to Ciryl Gane in February and is 3-2 in his last 5 bouts. The 33-year-old fighter is ranked #6 in the promotion’s heavyweight bracket.