LAS VEGAS – Tai Tuivasa’s latest win streak continues in style.
The fan-favorite UFC heavyweight put away Augusto Sakai to extend his winning streak to four in a row at Saturday’s UFC 269. Tuivasa (14-3 MMA, 7-3 UFC) officially stopped Sakai (15-4-1 MMA, 4-3 UFC) at the 0:26 mark of Round 2.
UFC 269 takes place Saturday at T-Mobile Arena in Las Vegas. The main card airs on pay-per-view following prelims on ESPN and early prelims on ESPN+.
It was an impressive win by the Australian.
Tuivasa was constantly on the hunt, as Sakai looked to stay on the outside being very cautious of Tuivasa’s power. There wasn’t much action at the beginning of the fight, but two minutes in Tuivasa closed the distance and pinned Sakai against the cage. Tuivasa landed a few shots while in close quarters. They broke away and Tuivasa landed a hard right before closing the distance and pressing Sakai against the cage once again before the round came to a close.
Seconds into Round 2, Tuivasa closed the distance, connected with a left hook that wobbled Sakai and followed up with a combination that sent Sakai straight to the canvas.
Tuivasa jumped on the cage, was thrown a shoe and a beer, and did his signature shoey as the Las Vegas crowd cheered.
Another win, another shoey for @BamBamTuivasa!! 👟🍺 #UFC269 pic.twitter.com/Sgspc6EqMF
— UFC Canada (@UFC_CA) December 12, 2021
Tuivasa was coming off three consecutive stoppage wins entering UFC 269, having put away Stefan Struve, Harry Hunsucker, and Greg Hardy in his previous bouts. The wins snapped a three-fight losing streak for the Australian, which extended from 2018 to 2019. Tuivasa has been training in the United Arab Emirates due to the strict COVID-19 restrictions in Australia.
Meanwhile, Sakai finds himself on a three-fight losing streak. The Brazilian was bested by Alistair Overeem and Jairzinho Rozenstruik in stoppage losses in his previous bouts.
Up-to-the-minute results of UFC 269 include:
- Tai Tuivasa def. Augusto Sakai via knockout (punches) – Round 2, 0:26
- Bruno Silva def. Jordan Wright via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 1:28
- Andre Muniz def. Eryk Anders via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 3:13
- Erin Blanchfield def. Miranda Maverick via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Tony Kelley def. Randy Costa via TKO (elbows) – Round 2, 4:15
- Gillian Robertson def. Priscila Cachoeira via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 4:59
