Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Augusto Sakai is the main event at UFC Fight Night betting on June 5. This will be a bruising battle between a pair of Top-10 heavyweights that can crack.
Oddsmakers are expecting a close bout with UFC betting lines installing Rozenstruik as a slim -122 favorite while Sakai comes back at +102.
Here are our best Rozenstruik vs. Sakai picks and predictions for UFC Fight Night action on Saturday, June 5 at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas.
Rozenstruik vs Sakai fight odds
| Method of Victory | Jairzinho Rozenstruik | Augusto Sakai |
|---|---|---|
| Win Outright | -122 | +102 |
| Win by KO/TKO | +120 | +230 |
| Win by Points | +700 | +420 |
| Win by Submission | +2,600 | +2,600 |
| Draw | +5,000 | +5,000 |
Odds courtesy of FanDuel Sportsbook as of May 30, 2021.
Rozenstruik vs Sakai betting preview
Jairzinho Rozenstruik is the No. 6-ranked heavyweight contender and is fresh off a lackluster performance against Ciryl Gane in September, which resulted in a unanimous decision loss.
That loss is only the second of Rozenstruik's career, along with a knockout by current champ Francis Ngannou last year, and he is 11-2 in his career with notable victories over Junior dos Santos, Alistair Overeem, and Andrei Arlovski.
The 33-year-old compiled a 76-8-1 record as a kickboxer before transitioning to MMA. With that background, it's little surprise that "Bigi Boy" is a polished striker with explosive power, although he's inexperienced in the wrestling department.
Augusto Sakai is coming off a September loss against Overeem, where he was taken down three times before being finished by strikes on the ground in the fifth round. Prior to that defeat, Sakai had reeled off six wins in a row — including four by way of knockout.
The 29-year-old isn't the most technical striker but throws good combinations and can be very effective in the clinch, where he uses his knees to devastating effect.
Rozenstruik vs Sakai tale of the tape
| Jairzinho Rozenstruik | Augusto Sakai | |
|---|---|---|
| 33 | Age | 30 |
| 6-foot-2 | Height | 6-foot-3 |
| 254 lbs | Weight | 261 lbs |
| 78 inches | Reach | 77 inches |
| 11-2-0 (10 KO) | Record | 15-2-1 (11 KO) |
Rozenstruik vs Sakai UFC predictions and betting picks
PREDICTION: Rozenstruik to win (-122) - Sakai is coming off a resounding defeat to a rapidly declining 40-year-old fighter in Overeem. Two of his previous three wins came by split decision, versus Blagoy Ivanov and another 40-year-old in Andrei Arlovski, and both could have easily been losses.
Rozenstruik looked flat in his last bout but that was against a very athletic and dangerous counter-striker in Gane and both fighters looked tentative. Expect Rozenstruik to open up in the striking department more against Sakai and unleash his superior kick-boxing ability.
Sakai has a brown belt in BJJ but has never really utilized that grappling ability in the octagon and prefers to slug it out, which will play right into Rozenstruik's powerful hands. Look for Bigi Boy to get the win.
PREDICTION: Rozenstruik to win by KO/TKO (+120) - Rozenstruik has devastating power in his hands and might be best-known for his last-second knockout of Overeem in 2019 and the second-fastest UFC heavyweight knockout of all-time versus Allen Crowder earlier that year.
Of his 11 career victories, 10 have come by way of KO/TKO, including all five of his wins at the UFC level. With Sakai's pressure style and preference for moving into the pocket, Rozenstruik will get his chance to tee off.
PREDICTION: Fight to start Round 3 Yes (-118) We don't see this heavyweight brawl lasting the full 25 minutes but we also don't think it will end within the first two rounds.
Two of Rozenstruik's last four fights went more than four rounds, while four of Sakai's previous five bouts went at least 14 minutes.
Sakai is a tough and durable fighter, so expect the third round to get underway before he is eventually defeated by the precision of Rozenstruik.
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