The UFC returns for the first time in two weeks on Saturday as UFC Fight Night takes place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas, Nev.
The main event features a battle of top heavyweights in need of a win as No. 5-ranked Jairzinho Rozenstruik battles No. 9-ranked Augusto Sakai.
After a blistering run to begin his UFC career with four consecutive knockout victories, Rozenstruik comes in having lost two of his last three. Most recently, Rozenstuik was defeated by Cyril Gane via unanimous decision at the end of February in what can be best described as a lackluster performance that he still can't put his finger on.
"It does change things," Rozenstruik said about his mindset coming off a loss to Yahoo Sports. "I want to see what happened. What happened in the last fight, I don't understand. I'm working much harder to find openings to see. Last fight that wasn't my style. It was a strange fight."
This is the second straight UFC main event for Sakai. Back in September, he got stopped by former heavyweight title challenger Alistair Overeem to snap his four-fight winning streak in the fifth round. Sakai is taking the setback as a learning experience and plans to bring the positives of the fight into Saturday night.
"Unfortunately, my winning streak was broken," Sakai told MMA Junkie. "But that's part of the game. The night against Overeem was a time for me to learn. I left a few openings that Overeem was able to exploit by landing his strikes. It took me out of my strategy. It was a big lesson. Now we've made many corrections. We're coming back even stronger."
The winner puts themselves right back into the championship in what has once again become a deep heavyweight division.
Here is everything you need to know about UFC Fight Night: Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Augusto Sakai.
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai start time
- Date: Saturday, June 6
- Main card: 7:00 p.m. ET/Midnight BST
- Main event: 10:15 p.m. ET/3:15 a.m. BST
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai takes place on Saturday night with the prelims launching at 4 p.m. ET/9 p.m. BST and the main card kicking off at 7 p.m. ET. That spells a Midnight start for the UK. Rozenstruik and Sakai should make their walks to the Octagon at approximately 10:15 p.m., although that depends on the lengths of the previous bouts.
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai TV channel and live stream
- U.S. : ESPN+
- U.K.: BT Sport 1
In the United States, the UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai prelims can be seen via live stream on ESPN+. The main card is availale via live stream on ESPN+.
In the U.K., the event can be seen on BT Sport 1.
More details about how to watch in other countries can be found at UFC.com.
Where is UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai?
Rozenstruik vs. Sakai will be held at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Rozenstruik and Sakai compete at the venue for the third time.
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai fight odds
Bet MGM (as of June 2) has tabbed Rozenstruik as the small favorite at -135, meaning a $135 bet will land you $100. Sakai is listed as a +110 underdog, signaling that a $100 bet would net $110 if he's victorious Saturday night.
Jairzinho Rozenstruik and bio
- Nationality: Surinamese
- Born: March 17, 1988
- Height: 6-2
- Reach: 78 inches
- Total fights: 13
- Record: 11-2
Augusto Sakai record and bio
- Nationality: Brazilian
- Born: May 19, 1991
- Height: 6-4
- Reach: 77 inches
- Total fights: 18
- Record: 15-2-1
UFC Fight Night: Rozenstruik vs. Sakai card
Main card
- Jairzinho Rozenstruik vs. Augusto Sakai; Heavyweight
- Walt Harris vs. Marcin Tybura; Heavyweight
- Roman Dolidze vs. Laureano Staropoli; Middleweight
- Santiago Ponzinibbio vs. Miguel Baeza; Welterweight
- Duško Todorović vs. Gregory Rodrigues; Middleweight
- Tom Breese vs. Antônio Arroyo; Middleweight
Preliminary card
- Montana De La Rosa vs. Ariane Lipski; Women’s Flyweight
- Tanner Boser vs. Ilir Latifi; Heavyweight
- Francisco Trinaldo vs. Muslim Salikhov; Welterweight
- Makwan Amirkhani vs. Kamuela Kirk; Featherweight
- Alan Patrick vs. Mason Jones; Lightweight
- Manon Fiorot vs. Maryna Moroz; Women's Flyweight
- Sean Woodson vs. Youssef Zalal; Featherweight
- Claudio Puelles vs. Jordan Leavitt; Lightweight