Sakara Promises a Show Against Alexander
Gleidson Venga Sep 7, 2007
Alessio "Legionarius" Sakara says he's ready for a battle against
Houston Alexander
(Pictures) at UFC 75 this Saturday in
London.
"I trained a lot here in Miami for this fight," the Italian fighter told Sherdog.com. "I have a lot of friends supporting me, such as Moacir ‘Boca' Oliveira for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. My conditioning was under Eduardo Procopio, and I trained boxing under the Puerto Rican Dezeo Maura. I'll be ready for this bout."
Sakara has a strong Brazilian connection. When he's in the South
American country, he trains with the Nogueira brothers. In fact,
Sakara is a big fan of Antonio Rodrigo
Nogueira (Pictures).
"He will always be my favorite fighter," Sakara said. "I like the rage he shows in his fights. He is in his prime, and I know he will grab the UFC heavyweight title soon."
"He is a very strong guy," Sakara said. "In his fight against Jardine, I couldn't see his techniques. But like he stated, he never trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu because he trains only Muay Thai. We will see."
The fight will likely stay standing, Sakara said, and that's fine with him.
"As usual, I love to strike on my feet," he said. "I'll go after him using my boxing. I'm more experienced than him in the UFC, and I have faced tougher opponents than he has."
Sakara also believes the audience will be on his side in London.
"My last fight took place in Manchester, at UFC 70, and I had a lot of support there," he said. "This time I think I'll have more support because there are many Italians traveling to England to watch me."
"Legionarius" certainly doesn't want to disappoint those fans.
"I've been training for this fight for over two months," Sakara said. "I've been thinking about Sept. 8 before I go to bed. I want to put on my best performance and make this fight a battle. I want to be in great shape for my fans, and I'll fight to win. You can bet on it."
"I trained a lot here in Miami for this fight," the Italian fighter told Sherdog.com. "I have a lot of friends supporting me, such as Moacir ‘Boca' Oliveira for Brazilian jiu-jitsu. My conditioning was under Eduardo Procopio, and I trained boxing under the Puerto Rican Dezeo Maura. I'll be ready for this bout."
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"He will always be my favorite fighter," Sakara said. "I like the rage he shows in his fights. He is in his prime, and I know he will grab the UFC heavyweight title soon."
If Sakara wants to climb the UFC light heavyweight ladder, he'll
have to step over an opponent whose UFC debut was a demolition of
Keith Jardine
(Pictures). Sakara has seen Houston Alexander
(Pictures)'s knockout win over Jardine
at UFC 71, but he said he didn't learn much from the bout.
"He is a very strong guy," Sakara said. "In his fight against Jardine, I couldn't see his techniques. But like he stated, he never trains Brazilian jiu-jitsu because he trains only Muay Thai. We will see."
The fight will likely stay standing, Sakara said, and that's fine with him.
"As usual, I love to strike on my feet," he said. "I'll go after him using my boxing. I'm more experienced than him in the UFC, and I have faced tougher opponents than he has."
Sakara also believes the audience will be on his side in London.
"My last fight took place in Manchester, at UFC 70, and I had a lot of support there," he said. "This time I think I'll have more support because there are many Italians traveling to England to watch me."
"Legionarius" certainly doesn't want to disappoint those fans.
"I've been training for this fight for over two months," Sakara said. "I've been thinking about Sept. 8 before I go to bed. I want to put on my best performance and make this fight a battle. I want to be in great shape for my fans, and I'll fight to win. You can bet on it."
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