UFC Vegas 9: Augusto Sakai says title shot will come after defeating Alistair Overeem
With a win at UFC Vegas 9, Augusto Sakai wants a heavyweight title shot
While the UFC‘s heavyweight title scene is filled with noted names and several contenders who feel they’re making their point for a title shot, Augusto Sakai has quickly risen up the ranks on his own path. And now he’s in for a major test, probably the toughest of his career, taking on Alistair Overeem in the main event of UFC Vegas 9.
Sakai currently sits at No. 9 in the UFC’s heavyweight rankings in a division that’s highly competitive and who’s contenders state, while arguably should be clear, isn’t. Francis Ngannou seemed to be poised for another crack at current champ Stipe Miocic thanks to his four-fight first-round knockout streak, but the impending move up to heavyweight for Jon Jones may change things.
Outside of that, we have Sakai facing Overeem, who currently sits at No. 6, and No. 2 Curtis Blaydes is scheduled to meet No. 5 Derrick Lewis later this year.
After UFC Vegas 9 fight vs Alistair Overeem, Augusto Sakai wants title shot
Based on that outlook, it seems like Sakai would need to rack up two or three wins, impressive ones at that, to possibly sniff his first UFC title shot. But Sakai, in an exclusive interview with FanSided MMA, says he thinks a win over a legend like Overeem would not only be the biggest of his career, but he feels it will be the one to get him that shot.
“Against Overeem, I will show everyone that I’m ready for a title fight, that I’m a top fighter in my weight class, and that’s how I look at it,” Sakai told FanSided MMA through translation from his manager. “I need to win to prove myself as a top contender for the title fight.”
With Jones making his long-awaited entrance to the division, there have been plenty of questions as to how this would shake up the title picture.
Sakai feels that while Jones has the skills and star power to compete in the heavier division, and make some good fights along the way, he questions if Jones will have the same success that he did at 205, where he dominated and held the UFC gold off-and-on again for the past decade.
“Jon Jones is ready to fight at heavyweight,” Sakai said. “He’s a very good fighter, so I think he will make very good fights in the heavyweight, but I don’t see him going [far] in the weight class because we’re much stronger and [have] much more firepower than the light heavyweights.”
Sakai’s UFC run has seen him finish Chase Sherman, take a decision over former champ Andrei Arlovski, finish Marcin Tybora and earn a decision over Blagoy Ivanov. But everything for Sakai’s Octagon run started as a participant on Dana White’s Contender Series Brazil, where he finished Marcos Conrado in the inaugural 2018 episode.
As the Contender Series continues on in the U.S., and the UFC recently announcing a second 2020 session of the show in November and December, Sakai reflected on his chance to be a part of the Brazilian version of the show and the opportunities it gives to young and rising fighters.
“It was very good for me, a great experience,” Sakai said. “I’m very proud of coming from Contender Series. They are giving opportunities to many, many talents, and I’m proud to come from this project. It was very, very good for me and for my career.”
But Sakai will be taking on his most experienced opponent yet. Overeem, a legend in MMA, started his journey back in 1999, going on to win championships in K-1, Strikeforce and DREAM, plus earning wins over the likes of Vitor Belfort, Mark Hunt, Fabricio Werdum, Brock Lesnar and Junior dos Santos.
Despite Overeem’s resume and the potential stakes of this fight when it comes to the UFC’s heavyweight division, Sakai isn’t sweating things.
“I’m very calm about it. Just another opponent, another day in the office,” Sakai said. “The most important thing is that he’s a win against Overeem will put me in the top five of the weight class. I’m looking for a title fight, so I’m going to do my job.”
Overeem has looked quite impressive since a move to Elevation Fight Team in 2018, going on to score two first-round finishes, nearly getting a win over Jairzinho Rozenstruik and coming back to defeat Walt Harris. Overeem has also admitted his drive right now is making one more run towards a UFC title before hanging up the gloves for good.
Sakai has seen differences in Overeem’s style since the move and knows what’s motivating him right now. But Sakai feels not only will he put an end to his momentum, he guarantees his next fight after a win over Overeem will be for the UFC title.
“I could see that he is taking the fight more carefully and more strategically in the last fight, but that’s okay for me. I’m very prepared,” Sakai said. “[It’s] his last run to a title fight by winning against me. So by winning against Overeem in [great] fashion, I’m going to prove that I am next in line for the title shot.”