UFC Vegas 28: Rozenstruik vs Sakai Preview

UFC Vegas 28 takes place at the UFC APEX this weekend. In the main event, top 10 heavyweight contenders Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai go head-to-head for a chance to enter the top five.

Both Rozenstruik and Sakai are coming off a loss. Rozenstruik lost to Cyril Gane in his most recent fight, while Sakai lost to Alistair Overeem.

Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs Augusto Sakai

If there’s one thing we know about heavyweight fights, it’s that they are extremely unpredictable. Both Jairzinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai possess enough power to shut each others’ lights out.

Rozenstruik is a vicious counter puncher, who often lands when his opponents are recklessly charging at him. However, he does have very limited movement, making him an easy target for someone who moves well inside the Octagon, for example, Augusto Sakai.

Sakai is also a vicious striker, who has a number of knockout wins to his name. He does charge at his opponents recklessly at times, but he’s also got a fluid movement. It’s a 50-50 fight, and either of them will be one good punch away from a victory at UFC Vegas 28.

https://twitter.com/ufc/status/1398746217128108044

Walt Harris vs Marcin Tybura

UFC Vegas 28 co-main event also features heavyweights, Walt Harris and Marcin Tybura. Harris has lost two in a row, while Tybura is on a solid four-fight win streak, meaning that the momentum will be on the Pole’s side.

However, Harris’ kill or be killed style will have no regard for Tybura’s win streak on the night. Harris plays with fire, often throwing defense out of the window, but that’s how he functions.

If he overpowers Tybura in the first round, it will be curtains for ‘Tybur’. However, the Pole is the better-rounded fighter and has more ways of winning the fight. If he weathers the early storm, Tybura will take over as the fight progresses and use his grappling to his advantage.

Roman Dolidze vs Laureano Staropoli

Roman Dolidze and Laureano Staropoli are both coming off losses and will be itching to get back into the win column. Dolidze is a wrestling-heavy fighter, while Staropoli prefers to strike.

Staropoli is moving up to middleweight after his weight-cutting woes at welterweight. Dolidze is a big middleweight, and therefore, will have a size advantage over his opponent at UFC Vegas 28. If Staropoli can stuff Dolidze’s takedowns, he will have a high chance of easing past his opponent, but stuffing the takedowns would be a big task.

Santiago Ponzinibbio vs Miguel Baeza

Santiago Ponzinibbio has had a tough couple of years, and Miguel Baeza is only adding to the challenges the Argentine is having to face en route to a title shot.

Ponzinibbio struggled with COVID in 2020, and made his return this year, only to get knocked out by Li Jingliang. He will now face an up-and-coming prospect in Miguel Baeza, who’s undefeated and has an 80 percent finishing rate.

Both fighters are excellent strikers, with vicious knockout power, but it is Ponzinibbio’s experience, which might make the difference at UFC Vegas 28. Baeza is great everywhere the fight goes, but Ponzinibbio’s more well-rounded and has more ways to win.

However, we should expect more standup action, which means someone is going to get knocked out in this one.

Dusko Todorović vs Gregory Rodrigues

After a loss in his most recent fight, Dusko Todorovic is looking for a quick turnaround against Gregory Rodrigues, who is stepping in on short notice.

Todorovic is a very good striker, and has the advantage against Rodrigues, with his movement, feints, and strikes, but Rodrigues is better-rounded, with good striking, and excellent grappling, and a very heavy top game.

For Todorovic to win, he would have to constantly move around inside the Octagon and land his shots at a safe distance, but if he fails to do so, Rodrigues will have a better chance of winning the fight.

This is the #UFCVegas28 card on June 5th how it looks like at the moment. pic.twitter.com/WbP1ONuRZ0

— Marcel Dorff 🇳🇱🇮🇩 (@BigMarcel24) May 28, 2021

What are your predictions for UFC Vegas 28, headlined by Jaizinho Rozenstruik and Augusto Sakai?