Preview: UFC Fight Night 117 ‘St. Preux vs. Okami’

Light Heavyweights

Henrique da Silva (12-3) vs. Gokhan Saki (0-1)

There used to be a time when a legitimate K-1 standout transitioning to MMA was thrilling and engrossing. Today, even when it is one of the few talking points on an otherwise anemic UFC card, it is just a rote piece of trivia. Nonetheless, Saki will make his UFC debut in Saitama, Japan, taking just his second MMA bout ever and looking to improve on a 0-1 record.

When Saki was pounded out by UFC veteran James Zikic in England 13 years ago, he was a pure kickboxer taking a payday and still six to eight years away from even hitting his prime. Today, he has far more supplementary MMA training and since dedicating himself to the conversion has spent significant time working on his jiu-jitsu and grappling with the Turkish national wrestling team while doing camps with the likes of Alexander Gustafsson, Ilir Latifi and Jimi Manuwa at Allstars Training Center in Sweden. Going on 34 years old, Saki is hardly the answer to the UFC’s lack of new blood at 205 pounds, but he should at least be able to provide thrilling mid-card highlights for as long as his tenure lasts.

This is clearly the UFC’s thinking in pairing him with da Silva. While da Silva does have a better-than-advertised ground game, his “Frankenstein” nickname is apt, as the Brazilian is clunky and lumbering, throwing all of his force into each punch as he tries to close the distance and get to the clinch. His defense is porous, as was shown in his June bout with Ion Cutelaba, who tripled his left hook and completely wiped out da Silva in just 22 seconds. Da Silva does have a heavy right hand and can deliver potent knees in the clinch. However, it is hard to imagine how he is going to land any of those strikes against Saki, who is an infinitely more skilled striker and one who has spent years tailoring his kickboxing style around fighting bigger men.

Though newer standup fans may know Saki from his time as Glory’s 205-pound champ before his fracture with the promotion, “The Rebel” spent most of his career as an undersized heavyweight, developing his game on speed and footwork. Yes, he still has the chopping low kicks that are part and parcel of his heritage, but his sudden counters, creative combinations and ability to effortlessly shift stances while striking set him apart from your average or even above average “Dutch kickboxer.” It remains to be seen what kind of defensive grappling chops he sports, but da Silva will not be shooting dynamite doubles from the outside, choosing instead to harken to his gothic nickname, trudging forward with his arms out. If da Silva thought Cutelaba’s triple left was serious, he is in for a major shock when he gets a load of Saki’s speed, versatility and power.

Saki may start with leg kicks or he may not, on account of nerves in his UFC debut and not wanting to concede an early takedown. Perhaps it is all the better he takes that route, as his handcraft is lightyears ahead of da Silva’s and the chasm in speed and agility will give him every chance he needs to duck, slip and grab himself a $50,000 bonus in the first five minutes of the contest.

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