Alistair Overeem blasted Walt Harris with a second-round TKO in May to bounce back into the win column following a painful KO loss to Jairzinho Rozenstruik in December. 

The former Strikeforce heavyweight champion and K-1 World Grand Prix champ will look to build onto that victory Saturday, when he faces Augusto Sakai to headline UFC Fight Night live from the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. At 40, Overeem knows his window of opportunity is closing to become UFC heavyweight champion. The sixth-ranked heavyweight is hopeful that a win over No. 9 Sakai helps boost his standing.

“The UFC belt is missing,” Overeem said in a recent UFC clip to promote the fight. “But we have to be honest … I’m running out of time. I think I can beat these guys. I think I can beat (UFC heavyweight champion) Stipe (Miocic).

 Overeem vs Sakai 2020 09 05 Free Live

“I was very close at beating him four years ago and if I get another crack at him, I’ll get him,” added “The Demolition Man,” who counts knockout wins over the likes of Junior Dos Santos, Mark Hunt and Brock Lesnar. “So, it’s real important to finish this fight in fashion and get one step closer to the belt.”

Sakai, who hasn’t lost in the UFC since winning Dana White’s Contender Series in August 2018, is looking to get one step closer to the title as well.

“I’m looking for my dream,” he said, “which is a belt and nothing else.”

Can Overeem produce that dynamite KO needed to get closer to a rematch against Miocic or will Sakai take a leap ahead in the rankings and inch closer to a title shot himself?

Here’s everything you need to know about UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai.

 

UFC FIGHT NIGHT: ALISTAIR OVEREEM VS. AUGUSTO SAKAI?

• Date: Saturday, Sept. 5
• Prelims: 6 p.m. ET
• Main card: 8 p.m. ET

UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai takes place Saturday night, Sept. 5. Prelims get underway at 6 p.m. ET, followed by the main card at 8 p.m. ET. 

 

HOW TO WATCH UFC FIGHT NIGHT: OVEREEM VS. SAKAI TV, LIVE STREAM INFO

the United States, the prelims and main card are onESPN+.

In Canada, the prelims and main card are on TSN2.

Brazil, UFC Fight Night can be seen live on Combate.

In Germany, Austria, Italy and Spain, the UFC Fight Night main card (2:00 a.m. CEST Sunday)

More details about how to watch in other countries can be found at UFC.com. 

 

Fight Night Overeem vs Sakai 2020 09 05 

WHERE IS UFC FIGHT NIGHT?

UFC Fight Night: Overeem vs. Sakai will take place at the UFC Apex in Las Vegas. Overeem isn’t a stranger to fighting in Las Vegas, but this will mark the veteran’s first bout at the UFC Apex, which has been a go-to venue for the company during the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. Meanwhile, Sakai recorded a split-decision win over Blagoy Ivanov at the UFC Apex in May.

OVEREEM VS. SAKAI ODDS

According to BetMGM on Thursday, Overeem is listed as a -154 favorite, meaning that you would need to bet $154 to win $100. Meanwhile, Smith is listed at +130, indicating that a $100 bet could net $130 if he exits the Octagon with a victory.

ALISTAIR OVEREEM RECORD, BIO

• Name: Alistair Overeem
• Nationality: Dutch
• Born: May 17, 1980
• Height: 6-4
• Reach: 80 inches
• Total fights: 64
• Record: 46-18 

UFC Fight Night Overeem vs Sakai 

AUGUSTO SAKAI RECORD, BIO

• Name: Augusto Sakai
• Nationality: Brazilian
• Born: May 9, 1991
• Height: 6-3
• Reach: 77 inches
• Total fights: 17
• Record: 15-1-1