After dropping four bouts in a row, Augusto Sakai went into the outing against Don’Tale Mayes looking to get back in the winning column on the main card of UFC Vegas 70.
UFC Vegas 70: Augusto Sakai vs Don’Tale Mayes
Round 1
Sakai with a low kick to open the action. Mayes walks in and goes to the body with a kick. Mayes keeping his range with teep. Sakai with another low kick. He got Mayes pinned to the cage. Mayes turns and gets Sakai off the fence. They get out the clinch. Mayes with a right hook. Another low kick from Sakai and eats a straight punch. Mayes goes for the takedown but Sakai defends it. They get up while grappling. Sakai gets a hold of Mayes’ body and lands big knees. Sakai has a strong grip on his neck and keeps going with the knee strikes. Mayes gets his head out. Sakai has him against the cage. They get back to the middle. Sakai lands a big low kick and sends Mayes back down. Sakai takes his back and Mayes rolls around. Sakai finds the back again. Mayes gets up to his feet. Sakai keeps his pressure up and grapples him. They close the round with strikes in the clinch.
Round 2
Sakai gets a jab and a big right hook. Mayes moves back and Sakai goes to grapple. They get out. Mayes lands a right. Sakai lands an overhand right and goes to grapple. Sakai lands some shots as he keeps Mayes pinned against the cage. Mayes turns around and gets Sakai off the fence. Sakai gets for the knees in the clinch. Sakai walks him back while still in the clinch. Mayes gets out. They get in close range to trade and Sakai goes to grapple. He won’t let Mayes go. He almost gets Mayes down. Sakai lands a few strikes with Mayes returning to close the round.
Round 3
Sakai opens with a massive left. He pushes Mayes right back to the cage. They continue grappling. Sakai lands some shots to the head. Sakai with an outside low kick on the exit from the clinch. They get back to the center. Mayes kicks the body. Sakai comes forward to wrestle. They keep grappling. Sakai lands big knees to the body. Mayes strikes with Sakai on feet briefly before Sakai gets a hold of him and grapples. Sakai lands knees to his face. He drags Mayes down to the floor. He lays the ground and pound. Sakai keeps kneeing him. Mayes gets to his feet. Mayes with a spinning back elbow. Mayes lands a knee to the body. Sakai grapples and gets his neck. Mayes goes down. Sakai piles on the pressure.
Official Result: Augusto Sakai defeats Don’Tale Mayes by unanimous decision (30-27 x3).
Check out the highlights below:
Heavyweights set to scrap 👊@AugustoSakai vs @LordKongMayes is LIVE now on @ESPNPlus. #UFCVegas70 pic.twitter.com/UBo6fRsi0B
— UFC (@ufc) February 26, 2023
Winner by decision! @AugustoSakai #UFCVegas70 pic.twitter.com/IVG0pCtEDf
— UFC (@ufc) February 26, 2023
