Valimaki-Sakara and Kongo-Silva Confirmed for UFC 70 Card

By Thomas Gerbasi

Two significant crossroad fights will be featured on April 21st’s UFC 70 card at the M.E.N. Arena in Manchester, England, as Victor Valimaki and Alessio Sakara clash in a light heavyweight match, and Cheick Kongo and Assuerio Silva square off in a heavyweight battle.

Italy’s Alessio Sakara (14-5, 1 no contest) will be looking to get back to the .500 mark in the UFC after back-to-back losses to Dean Lister and Drew McFedries. ‘Legionarius’ is confident that he will achieve that goal against Valimaki.

“I think we are gonna have a good fight because we both like to fight standing,” said Sakara, a former pro boxer. “We will see who is the best.”

25-year old Victor Valimaki (9-3) made a positive impression in his Octagon debut last December, as he went toe-to-toe with unbeaten David Heath before losing a close three round split decision. His gutsy performance garnered him a return invite to the UFC, and he looks at Sakara as simply an obstacle to be removed on his way to the top.

“He’s a good boxer, but I believe I'm on my way up and he's in my way, and that's unfortunate for him,” said Edmonton’s Valimaki.

After his first two UFC wins, France’s Cheick Kongo (19-3-1) was seen by many to be the next big thing in the heavyweight division, but a disappointing split decision loss to then-unbeaten Carmelo Marrero derailed his progress. On April 21st, Kongo aims to put his ship back on course against Brazilian veteran Assuerio Silva (32-4), who is searching for his first UFC win after defeats at the hands of former UFC Heavyweight Champion Tim Sylvia and Brandon Vera.