A victorious Sakai clearly grabbed the cage during a takedown attempt in the third round of the bout, but he says that illegal maneuver didn’t alter how the contest would’ve ended.
“It was something completely subconscious,” Sakai said after the event (via Alexander K. Lee of MMA Fighting). “It was involuntary, I didn’t really plan on it. It’s something I would never do on purpose. It wouldn’t change the result of the fight. I won the fight.”
Jason Herzog did give Sakai a warning for grabbing the cage, but no point(s) were taken from the fighter for the foul.
Sakai is now looking towards the future and the fighter would like a top ten opponent for his next Octagon appearance.
“I’d really like someone ranked top-10 and whoever is available, I’m ready to go,” Sakai said.
There is no word yet on who will be next for Sakai, who has now won four of four fights under the UFC banner.
