MMA Preview – Augusto Sakai vs Don’Tale Mayes at UFC Vegas 70

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AUGUSTO SAKAI VS DON’TALE MAYES FACTS
When is UFC Fight Night 220? Saturday 25th February, 2023 - 22:00 start (UK)
Where is UFC Fight Night 220? UFC APEX, Enterprise, Nevada (US)
Where can I get tickets for UFC Fight Night 220? Click here to buy tickets for UFC Fight Night
What channel is UFC Fight Night 220 on? BT Sport 2
Where can I stream UFC Fight Night 220? BT Sport subscribers can stream the fight online via the BT Sport website
For viewers in the United States, the event will be shown live on ESPN+ and you can sign up for access as part of a Disney Bundle here!
AUGUSTO SAKAI VS DON’TALE MAYES LOWDOWN
Augusto Sakai’s (15-5-1) record and body have taken an absolute pounding recently. After boosting his record to 15-1-1 by earning a split decision over Andrei Arlovski (2019), knocking out Marcin Tybura (2019) and earning another split decision over Blagoy Ivanov (2020), he has taken an almighty fall from grace. Alistair Overeem (2020), Jairzinho Rozenstruik (2021), Tai Tuivasa (2021) and Sergey Spivak (2022) swarmed on him as if he was a broken vending machine to inflict four knockouts in a row.
He has been given a welcome step-down in competition in the form of Don’Tale Mayes (9-4(1)). He was 2-3 in the UFC after his recent split decision loss to Hamdy Abdelwahab (2022) however, that loss got overturned due to the Egyptian popping for a banned substance. Prior to the ‘No Contest’, he earnt a unanimous decision over Roque Martinez (2020) and a TKO over Josh Parisian (2021) so is hoping to regain that form.
AUGUSTO SAKAI VS DON’TALE MAYES PREDICTION
Mayes is nowhere near the level of Sakai’s recent opponents but is taking on someone who has lost his confidence, will boast a four-inch reach and three-inch height advantage, and is a knockout threat.
Out of the two, Mayes is more likely to shoot for a takedown, but we expect this to be a boxing fight with a few leg kicks thrown in. If Sakai is hesitant to pull the trigger, Mayes can capitalize which may force him to initiate the clinch.
On the other hand, if he shows up with his usual aggression, he should overwhelm Mayes and finish him.
Prediction: Sakai via KO/TKO - CLICK HERE FOR PARIMATCH'S WELCOME OFFER (BET £5, GET £30 IN BONUSES!)
