Alistair Overeem vs. Augusto Sakai Preview and Odds, UFC Fight Night 176

UFC Fight Night 176 features heavy hitters Alistair Overeem(-145) and Augusto Sakai in five-round main event action. Each athlete eyes future championship consideration from the Apex Center on Saturday night.

At 40-years-old, ‘The Reem’ has tasted elite level success with Pride and Strikeforce, and now guards the UFC heavyweight division upper rung. After debuting in October 1999, Overeem has accrued vast MMA knowledge while transforming from lanky middleweight to bulky heavyweight. The Dutch kickboxer owns wins over Vitor Belfort, Mark Hunt, Gary Goodridge, Fabricio Werdum and Brock Lesnar, among others, to establish his chapter in MMA history. More recently, however, Overeem has dominated younger assignments while only losing vs. elite 265 pound entrants. One Hail Mary Rozenstruik strike is all that keeps the former title challenger from a four-fight unbeaten run.

Overeem called every ounce of his guile to survive and pound out Walt Harris in May. That thrilling win showed the best and worst of Demolition Man as Harris landed bombs early only for a calculated Overeem to use sophisticated measures while gaining his 24th paid TKO. Still, among the most gifted active technical strikers, Overeem carries 17 taps to fill a complete MMA toolbag where one Sakai mistake can portend an early night.

Augusto Sakai (+125)

At glaring form and grappling disadvantages, Sakai, who cuts to make 265, is nonetheless one strike from pulling the minor upset vs. #6 ranked Overeem. Alistair's fragile jaw -14 TKO losses- is always heavily considered before, during and after his cage encounters. Time has done little favors for Overeem's durability, though the 64 fight vet has shown increased clam when stunned. It is on Sakai to ensure no miracle comeback rises if he rocks Saturday's challenge.

To his credit, 29-year-old Sakai is 4-0 vs. Octagon fare since earning UFC entrance by downing Marcus Conrado on the Contender Series. Smart in the pocket and durable, the Curitiba, Brazilian offers 11 TKO wins in 15 paid ventures. Although, many question the methods, Sakai employed to edge Blagoy Ivanov in May. As their battle unfolded, Sakai blatantly held the cage to offset a potentially winning Ivanov takedown. Timing will be key if the once-beaten prospect is to overcome Alistair's decisive talent gap.

The Prediction: Like any other UFC heavyweight, Sakai can likely knock Overeem unconscious. However, Demolition Man is too gifted in each area for his plodding opponent to overcome. Look for Overeem to evade danger while gaining a late stoppage at UFC Fight Night 176.

The Pick: Alistair Overeem by stoppage.

Odds courtesy of BestFightOdds.