Two top ten heavyweights battled it out in the UFC Vegas 28 main event tonight. Sixth ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik (11-2) took on Augusto Sakai (15-2-1) as both men looked to bounce back.
A lot has changed for Jairzinho Rozenstruik in the last 13 months. 13 months ago, Rozenstruik was booked against Francis Ngannou at UFC 249. Bigi Boy was undefeated entering that fight and he looked like he was knocking on the door of a UFC title shot.
However, Francis Ngannou knocked him out in 20 seconds which ended that dream. After than, Rozenstruik bounced back with a knockout win over Junior Dos Santos before being booked in a headliner against Ciryl Gane back in February.
Rozenstruik put on one of the worst performances imaginable in getting shut out in the UFC main event. There was no urgency from the heavyweight striker and he proceeded to get outpointed for five rounds. Tonight was an opportunity for Bigi Boy to redeem himself in another main event.
Standing across from him was Augusto Sakai. Sakai last fought in September when he was stopped by Alistair Overeem. That loss was his first in the UFC and it snapped a six-fight winning streak. Sakai was looking to avoid a second straight loss tonight.
UFC Vegas 28 Recap
Round 1
The UFC Vegas 28 main event kicked off with a touch of the gloves. Sakai circled on the outside as Rozenstruik immediately took the center and both men exchanged kicks to start the striking. Nice low kick and jab lands for Rozenstruik.
Both men appeared to just be gauging the range in the first 90 seconds. Sakai throws a calf kick as he continues to circle on the outside. Another kick lands for Sakai and Rozenstruik counters with a nice straight to the body.
Rozenstruik pushes forward with a 1-2 to the body and Sakai tries to counter with a low kick but misses. Sakai throws a kick, but Rozenstruik catches it and explodes forward with a right, but just misses. Rozenstruik is doing a really good job of holding the center here in the first round.
Nice jab lands for Rozenstruik. Sakai throws a good kick to the body as he continues to circle. Rozenstruik pushes Sakai against the fence and rips a combination. Sakai circles out and escapes.
Rozenstruik again pushes and lands a left hook and right straight to the temple. Sakai crashes to the canvas and Rozenstruik follows up with a couple of shots and this one is over. Massive knockout win at UFC Vegas 28 for Jairzinho Rozenstruik.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Augusto Sakai by KO – Round 1