UFC 269: Augusto Sakai Doesn’t Want to Let Losses Define Him

Las Vegas, NV — Heavyweight Augusto Sakai was supposed to throw down against Tai Tuivasa a couple of weeks ago.

That date had to be pushed back due to visa troubles experienced by Tuivasa, but Brazilian Sakai (15-3-1) didn’t mind the brief delay. Ahead of UFC 269, where the pair will now face off, Sakai actually found a silver lining.

“It actually wasn’t a problem at all. I was ready to fight on the 20th [at UFC Vegas 44], I wanted to fight on the 20th, but to end up having a couple extra weeks— and plus to end up on a card with Charles [Oliveira], so may Brazilians, got me really happy,” Sakai explained during this week’s media day.

After running up a solid win streak, Sakai has now dropped two straight, losing fights against Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik. He believes he’ll be able to show what he’s learned from those experiences this Saturday.

“I did learn a lot, and I’m putting the pressure on myself, because I’m not used to losing. If you look to my record, I have just a few losses,” explained Sakai. “I’m sure I did learn a lot, and you’re going to see that on Saturday.”

Later, he’d address the mental side of those setbacks. “We don’t want to let the last two results to the fights define me. Of course they were losses, but I want to prove my worth. In your mind, it makes you question your self-worth, but you cannot question your self-worth and that you belong in the UFC.”

As for opponent Tuivasa, “his style is exciting for me, of course, and I’m ready,” Sakai stated. “I did study a lot of his game, so I’m ready to kill his game and do my game.”

Watch the full UFC 269 media day scrum with Augusto Sakai above. The event takes place this Saturday, December 11 at the T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas, NV. More coverage can be found below.