UFC Vegas 28 is tipping the scales this Saturday with a couple of heavyweights in the main and co-main event of the evening.
After taking a rare weekend off, the UFC is back. The UFC Vegas 28 card will feature the power-punching Jairzinho Rozenstruik taking on a fellow crafty striker in Augusto Sakai.
Since Rozenstruik didn’t look like his former self in his last fight with Ciryl Gane many fans and pundits alike are curious if “Bigi Boy” can make the requisite adjustments to further his heavyweight career in the UFC. Specifically, if Rozenstruik can get back to the methodical striking that earned him his ranking in the promotion, then it will be a long night for Sakai.
On the other hand, Sakai is coming off the second loss of his professional career. The devastating defeat came at the hands of Alistair Overeem, but the main event showcased the toughness of Sakai. In fact, it was amazing that he was able to endure damage until the fifth round where he succumbed to “The Demolition Man” by some nasty ground and pound.
Prior to notching his first loss in the UFC, Sakai had success in a split decision victory against Blagoy Ivanov, even though the fight was close, it highlighted Sakai’s tactical abilities on the feet.
While the bout with Ivanov was closer than Sakai would have liked, the fight underlined the power of his shot selection. In addition, at times the different types of strikes he throws can bewilder opponents, especially if they commit to any of his feints. Overall, Sakai is always a tough out while standing and since “Bigi Boy” loves to trade, this fight is a recipe for some fun violence.
Following his lackluster performance against Gane, pressure is on for Rozenstruik to get back to his winning ways. With TKOs against Alistair Overeem and Junior dos Santos, Rozenstruik’s power is often overlooked despite the ten knockouts/TKOs to his record.
UFC Vegas 28 – Walt Harris Vs. Marcin Tybura
The heavyweight action continues as Harris looks to keep his UFC dream alive, but he has a tough customer in front of him in Tybura. Recently, Harris is on a two-fight losing skid, the losses come after he suffered a horrible tragedy in his personal life. The heavyweight last won in 2019 against Aleksei Oleinik. Specifically, the fight was pure chaos and Harris managed to come out with the victory after a flying knee and left cross sent Oleinik crumbling to the mat.
Harris struggled against Overeem and then versus Alexander Volkov, as it seems he encounters problems with opponents who have longer reach than his own. However, with the two recent losses, perhaps the time to improve will help his chances against a well-rounded Tybura who won’t have the same physical advantages as the last foe to fight “The Big Ticket”. In the end, this fight is very important to the UFC tenure of Harris because if he loses, the company may start looking into the possibility of releasing the heavyweight as that would make it three-straight losses.
Interestingly, Tybura is in a different boat and on a four-fight win streak. In his last two fights, the UFC staple heavyweight earned notable victories against Ben Rothwell and Greg Hardy. After Tybura outworked Hardy, he hopped onto the radar of many heavyweights in the division.
While the Harris and Tybura differ in momentum, this co-main event gives both fighters a big opportunity to set up their next fight in 2021. Following a rare weekend off, UFC Vegas 28 will be a refreshing event and will help satiate the appetite of fight fans who were starting to jones without their weekly fix of fight action.
Which fight are you looking forward to the most at UFC Vegas 28?
