Intimidation can be a game-changer in MMA. Look no further than current UFC heavyweight champion Francis Ngannou for a lesson in what a dominant aura can do for a fighter. Opponents may not “fear” him precisely, but they are certainly wary of his power.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik’s run in the UFC started much the same way. After a stop in RIZIN, Rozenstruik entered the promotion with plenty of hype, and four straight finishes. A setback against Ngannou didn’t totally take the shine off, as Rozenstruik bounced back against Junior Dos Santos. But after a second loss, to Ciryl Gane, earlier this year, the intimidation factor in “Bigi Boi’s” game appeared to be waning.
Could Brazil’s Augusto Sakai capitalize? The Bellator MMA veteran had seen a six-fight winning streak snapped against Alistair Overeem last September — leaving the Curitiba native looking to get back on track.
Rozenstruik opened with a kick, as the main event pair circled one another. Sakai later fired a kick of his own, but there was precious little action through the opening two minutes. Rozenstruik would catch a kick, looking to unload over the top but Sakai escaped. “Bigi Boi” seemed to have his heart set on landing the big one-punch KO. And he’d land it, just prior to the end of the round. A left hook followed by a right hand, to the side of the head, toppled Sakai. Hamer fists followed, and that was all she wrote.
ONE. PUNCH. POWER. 👊
🇸🇷 @JairRozenstruik with the finish right before the bell! #UFCVegas28 pic.twitter.com/EZ9gNiX63G
— UFC (@ufc) June 6, 2021
Jairzinho Rozenstruik earned his sixth UFC stoppage with the finish — and returns to the win column.
Official Result: Jairzinho Rozenstruik def. Augusto Sakai by TKO, Round 1, 4:59
