Failure Not an Option for Augusto Sakai

Nearly 1,000 days have passed since Augusto Sakai last experienced getting his hand raised. Such prolonged adversity forced the two-time Ultimate Fighting Championship headliner to look in the mirror like never before.

Sakai will attempt to snap a career-worst four-fight losing streak when he takes on Don’Tale Mayes in a UFC Fight Night 220 heavyweight showcase on Saturday at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. The 31-year-old Brazilian understands the doubt surrounding him.

“It’s unfortunate, but the most recent results don’t define who I am,” Sakai told Sherdog.com. “That’s all behind me now. What happened over the last four fights I used as learning experiences. I’m working at getting better every day, and I’m getting better every day. I was very happy and thankful for this additional chance the UFC is giving me. I love fighting and being in the UFC. It was always my dream. Now I’m coming back at full force. We’ll get this win and remain in the UFC.”

All four of Sakai’s defeats during his current drought have resulted in finishes. He last competed at UFC on ESPN 40, where he succumbed to punches from Sergey Spivak in the second round of their Aug. 6 encounter. Sakai believes he has rectified some of the issues that were plaguing him, as a move to American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida, facilitated change.

“Several things were corrected,” Sakai said. “I’m evolving every day. We’re headed back to my winning ways. I’ve been training with all the heavyweights here. I can also count on the support of all the coaches. It’s been great. I’m getting better with each training session. We’re ready to make a comeback.”

A physical specimen at 6-foot-6, 260 pounds, Mayes has delivered five of his nine victories by knockout or technical knockout. He has not fought since he dropped a contentious split decision to Hamdy Abdelwahab at UFC 277 in July. The result was later changed to a no contest after Abdelwahab tested positive for an anabolic steroid.

“Mayes likes to fight at distance,” Sakai said. “He has good strikes when he fights at his distance. Without a doubt, we found some holes in his game. I expect to win by knockout. I’ll look for a knockout at every chance, but we’ll be ready to go all three rounds.”

Sakai knows he has the tools to succeed at the UFC level, as he rattled off four straight wins—he defeated Chase Sherman, Andrei Arlovski, Marcin Tybura and Blagoy Ivanov in succession—after arriving in the promotion in 2018. Though his place on the roster has grown tenuous, beating Mayes would represent a first step toward alleviating some of the pressure and uncertainty associated with his current situation.

“My future plans are simply to win this fight and to remain in the UFC,” he said. “Then I plan to start another great winning streak, same as I did when I first joined the promotion.”