UFC targets Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai as Sept. 5 headliner
The UFC event on Sept. 5 is close to finalizing its main event.
If all goes according to plan, heavyweights will collide as contenders Alistair Overeem and Augusto Sakai will square off at a yet-to-be-finalized location.
A person with knowledge of the situation confirmed the targeted booking to MMA Junkie after an initial report by ESPN. The person asked to remain anonymous as the promotion has yet to make an official announcement.
Overeem (46-18 MMA, 11-7 UFC) is coming off a TKO victory against Walt Harris in May. After being dropped in the first round, Overeem rallied to take control of the fight and finish “The Big Ticket” with strikes in Round 2. Overeem, 40, has won three out of his most recent four outings.
Once finalized, Sept. 5 will mark the first main event for Brazil’s Sakai (15-1-1 MMA, 4-0 UFC). Undefeated in the promotion, Sakai, 29, has defeated Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski, Marcin Tybura, and Blagoy Ivanov since joining the UFC in mid-2019.
With the addition, the current Sept. 5 lineup includes:
Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai Julia Avila vs. Nicco Montano Montana De La Rosa vs. Maryna Moroz