Betting odds by NordicBet.com:

Alessio Sakara 4.15 (+315)

Brian Stann 1.20 (-500)

Alessio ”Legionarius” Sakara (15-8), Italy

Basic info:  Alessio Sakara is 30 year old fighter from Rome, Italy. As a kid he traded soccer for boxing and then as a teenager started training Brazilian jiu-jitsu which lead him to MMA. Now days Sakara splits his training between his own gym in Rome and American Top Team’s gym in Coconut Creek, Florida. When in Italy he trains regularly with the Italian Olympic boxers. He has a professional boxing record of 8-1 and a black belt in BJJ from Conan Silveira. Besides Italy and USA Sakara also lived five years in Brazil where he trained under the Nogueira brothers. Sakara’s nickname “Legionarius” comes from his family sharing history with the ancient Roman legions. Sakara, who used to fight at light heavyweight, is 183 cm tall with the same reach.

Career: Fighting since 2002 Sakara has seen the sport evolve from a underground thing to a mainstream sport. Sakara fought the early parts of his career in national level events in Italy, Brazil, Russia and England. During this time he went 9-3 as a light heavyweight without any spectacular wins. Sakara’s UFC debut ended as a no contest when Ron Fairclotch blasted a powerful low kick straight to the Italian’s groin. Since then he has gone 6-5 in the UFC with biggest wins over Thales Leites and James Irvin. Losses have come in the hands of heavy sluggers in Drew McFedries, Houston Alexander and Chris Leben and to superior grappler in Dean Lister and Chris Weidman who outgrappled Sakara in his latest bout in March of 2011. Due to various injuries he has been able to fight just once a year for the last three years. Before this fight Sakara also had surgery on his knee.

Strengths and Weaknesses:  Sakara’s base is his excellent boxing skills. He throws crisp and technically sound boxing combinations both to the head and body. Due to his long history with the sweet science Sakara also has very good footwork and head movement. Training with the Italian K-1 fighter Lorenzo Borgomeo has diversified Sakara’s striking. Best example of this improvement was Sakara’s stunning headkick that put Joe Vedepo to sleep.  Even though wrestling phenom Chris Weidman was able to outgrapple Sakara, his grappling is on a very good level these days thanks to the training at the ATT in Florida.  Previously Sakara has had trouble with losing his game under pressure from heavy hitters like Leben and McFedries. Some have questioned his chin but in the fights where he has been knocked out he has eaten shots that would’ve put down an elephant.

Keys to Victory: Quick footwork and in-and-out offence is the base for Sakara to win this bout. Try to use the speed advantage on the feet and attack from different angles. Stann likes to keep his guard high so punish the body with shots to the liver.

Alessio Sakara Highlight

 

Brian “All-American” Stann (11-4), USA

Basic info: Jackson MMA’s Brian Stann is a former US Marine captain who now concentrates fully on his career as a professional fighter. Before Stann left the Marines he was awarded with the Silver Star, the USA’s 3rd highest award for courage in battle, for his achievements in the Iraq war. Athletically gifted Stann played football in high school and in the Naval academy. The former light heavyweight stands at 185 cm tall and has a reach of 188 cm. Stann has published a biography of his life in the Marines called Heart for the Fight.

Career: Stann started his professional MMA career in 2006 while still in active duty in the Marines. In just two years he racked up a perfect record of 6-0 and became the WEC light heavyweight champion. In a rematch with Steve Cantwell in 2008 he suffered his first loss by TKO and lost the WEC belt. After this fight WEC’s heavier weight divisions were merged with the UFC’s divisions. Stann made his UFC debut against a hulking light heavyweight Krzysztof Soszynski who outgrappled and submitted him quickly. Stann bounced back to winning ways with wins over old nemesis Steve Cantwell and Rodney Wallace but was then yet again outgrappled by a big light heavyweight in Phil Davis and decided to move down to middleweight. At 185 pounds Stann has since gone 3-1 with wins over Mike Massenzio, Chris Leben and Jorge Santiago. His lone loss at middleweight came in his latest fight when Chael Sonnen, a ganster from West Linn, Oregon, easily outwrestled and eventually submitted Stann.

Strengths and Weaknesses:  Stann has both strengths and weaknesses that are quite easy to spot. He is a hard-nosed and athletically gifted fighter who has been in battles most MMA fighters can’t even dream about. Mentally and physically strong Stann likes to move forward and push the pace with striking combinations. He has a sturdy chin and packs dynamite in both hands. His fights with Massenzio and Sonnen showed that Stann still need to work both on his wrestling and his ground game. While his striking is improving in a very good pace, it’s still a bit stiff and predictable at times.

Keys to Victory: Brawl with the technical striker by putting on constant pressure. Cut him off and force him into striking exchanges. On the feet make Sakara hesitate with takedown attempts.

Who is Brian Stann – Episode 1