SAO PAULO, Brazil — Augusto Sakai didn’t even have time to celebrate. Less than two months after inking a deal with the UFC, the heavyweight will make his promotional debut against Chase Sherman at UFC Sao Paulo on Sept. 22.
One of the most experienced fighters to get a chance to compete on the first season of Contender Series Brazil in August, Sakai earned a contract with the company after knocking out Marcos Conrado Jr. in Las Vegas.
A former Bellator fighter, Sakai admits he felt a different vibe competing on a stage like the Contender Series knowing that he had to impress UFC president Dana White in order to sign an exclusive deal with the promotion.