The one man in the UFC middleweight division who has defeated (sorta) the seemingly invincible 185-pound champion, Anderson Silva, has inked a contract extension.
Yushin Okami has agreed to terms on a new deal, according to MMAWeekly.com. It’s great news for the talent-starved division — even if the Japanese import is considered among many (this writer excluded) a “dull” and “unexciting” fighter.
In the days and weeks after his most recent unanimous decision win over Jason MacDonald at UFC 77: “Hostile Territory” in October, speculation swirled that he was booked to fight on the K-1 New Year’s Eve card in Japan. UFC President Dana White also failed to mention his name when discussing contenders who could knock-off “The Spider” after he dismantled Rich Franklin for the second time in 12 months.
It was bizarre because aside from a unanimous decision loss to Rich Franklin at UFC 72: “Victory” — a fight Okami nearly finished on multiple occasions — he has been perfect inside the Octagon (5-1). In addition, Okami defeated Silva at “Rumble on the Rock 8″ in early 2006 because of an illegal kick.
Certainly not the most convincing win, but a win nonetheless.
There’s no timetable for Okami to return at this time. And he certainly will not be challenging Silva his next time out — Dan Henderson has been awarded his second consecutive title shot (he lost to Quinton “Rampage” Jackson in a 205-pound title fight) at UFC 82 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, on March 1.
Regardless, it’s always good news and makes for the best match ups when the top fighters are under one roof. Now the UFC just needs to add a few more notables to its thin 185-pound roster.
32 Comments »
Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher II…
I really dont see many other options for Yushin right now.
ehhhhh. This is pretty non important. He doesnt have many options right now. He would get murdered by Silva at this point.
“In addition, Okami defeated Silva at “Rumble on the Rock 8″³ in early 2008 because of an illegal kick.”
Don’t want to be annoying and point out your typos mania, but it was early 2006.
I guess this is good news. He’s boring, but the middleweight division needs some help, BAD. Good thing the UFC inspired Hendo to drop. Then Maybe Hughes will go up to fight the winner of the Hendo v. Silva fight.
[quote post="3973"]In addition, Okami defeated Silva at “Rumble on the Rock 8″³ in early 2008 because of an illegal kick.[/quote]
i think you have the wrong date
perhaps a prediction of things to come.
maybe he will fight cote in feb
looks like the ufc is finaly starting to put some flavor together in the middleweight division
[quote comment="215119"][quote post="3973"]In addition, Okami defeated Silva at “Rumble on the Rock 8″³ in early 2008 because of an illegal kick.[/quote]
i think you have the wrong date[/quote]
Indeed. Thanks. It’s not annoying, either.
I think thats bullshit that it was an illegal kick. Silva was on his back and kicked Okami straight in the face when Okami was trying to bring punches down on him. I thought it was only illegal if Okami had been on the ground and silva was standing up kicking him in the face.
just sign lindland too so you have all the best 185lb fighters out there
Wouldn’t that be terrible if TUF 7 coaches were: Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami?
I think Okami/Silva would be a good matchup – I dont see Silva walking right through him. Then again I didnt see him walking through leben, mardquart and franklin twice…
Does one slow to start fighter like Okami and one quick finisher like Silva make for an interesting bout??
[quote comment="215147"]I think thats bullshit that it was an illegal kick. Silva was on his back and kicked Okami straight in the face when Okami was trying to bring punches down on him. I thought it was only illegal if Okami had been on the ground and silva was standing up kicking him in the face.[/quote]
I know, but it wasn’t a UFC card it was a Rumble on the rock. Maybe they have different rules? Does anyone know?
Here’s a link to a picture of the actual kick silva threw on Okami, as you can see Okami’s knees were down
http://www.rumbleworld.tv/eventpic_pop.php?fcid=17&ftpid=268&ftpic=11&offset=0
This is good news. Believe it or not, but the current UFC MW roster really couln’t afford to lose Okami. Jason MacDonald is the only other legit Top 5er in the division (Anderson, Henderson, and Franklin being the only 3 deserving) and Okami just beat him. Okami has done nothing but prove that he belongs in the UFC, albeit, he doesn’t always have exciting fights, but he has a very strong record in a division lacking stars.
Mr. NC 17, I like the idea of Okami/Belcher II. It would be interesting.
[quote post="3973"] Roadwar [/quote]
man thanks for the pictur…. looks like okami was going for some ground and pound…. wonder if he would of won…
“the one man in the ufc who has defeated Silva”?? What about Ryo Chonin? mmamania needs to check its facts.
[quote comment="215180"]Wouldn’t that be terrible if TUF 7 coaches were: Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami?
I think Okami/Silva would be a good matchup – I dont see Silva walking right through him. Then again I didnt see him walking through leben, mardquart and franklin twice…
Does one slow to start fighter like Okami and one quick finisher like Silva make for an interesting bout??[/quote]
I don’t know how Silva could coach since he doesn’t speak english. Since it sounds like Hendo is getting the next middleweight title shot maybe he can coach one team.
I don’t know if an Okami fight can ever be interesting but if someone can make it interesting, it would definitely be Anderson Silva.
[quote comment="215216"]“the one man in the ufc who has defeated Silva”?? What about Ryo Chonin? mmamania needs to check its facts.[/quote]
He said the one man in the UFC Midleweight division. Chonan is a welterweight
[quote comment="215201"]This is good news. Believe it or not, but the current UFC MW roster really couln’t afford to lose Okami. Jason MacDonald is the only other legit Top 5er in the division (Anderson, Henderson, and Franklin being the only 3 deserving) and Okami just beat him. Okami has done nothing but prove that he belongs in the UFC, albeit, he doesn’t always have exciting fights, but he has a very strong record in a division lacking stars.
Mr. NC 17, I like the idea of Okami/Belcher II. It would be interesting.[/quote]
It would because I think Alan Belcher would approach the fight differently. Plus, I would love to see Okami get on Belcher’s back and Belcher does a front flip.. Man that was so cool.
I mean who else really is there to fight Yushin Okami in the Middleweight Division?
Jason Macdonald – Defeated UFC 77 by Yushin
Kalib Starnes – Lost to Yushin
Rich Franklin – defeated Yushin UFC 72
What justification would any of those 3 fights have in the Middleweight Division?
I mean, Nate Quarry or Chris Leben? Patrick Cote?
Thats all I really can think of that is a notable opponent for Yushin. 4 People.. Quarry, Belcher, Leben, Cote.
Thales vs. Marquardt could get Yushin Okami? But I think Yushin needs a fight before I dunno UFC 84?
Unless Martin Kampmann and Drew McFedries comes back early 2008, Those are the only names I can think of.
BTW, didn’t Dana say that the reason why Andrei is not fighting in the UFC right now other than the contract because his fights were boring?
Yeah, thats why we have Tim Slyvia and Yushin Okami in there.
I gotta say, more and more fights seem less and less boring the more I learn about this sport. I have never wrestled (played basketball instead) but I watched the last event with a friend who wrestled most of his life and was instantly hooked on MMA after watching the Edgar fight and later the Evans fight. I think as more and more fans recognize the little things being done on the ground, the more entertained they will be with the fights that aren’t slug-fests.
Lets not get ahead of ourselves, this guy is really boring even in a main event..he’s just another added fighter to the UFC not a contender
great, now we have to sit through alot of boring fights, thanks yushin and the ufc
[quote comment="215109"]Yushin Okami vs. Alan Belcher II…
I really dont see many other options for Yushin right now.[/quote]
I’d like to see that fight. Belcher looked really sharp against Starnes. I wish the fight could have continued but Starnes was getting roughed up. I’ve said it before, and I’ll say it again, I don’t like Okami. He’s never impressed me and I can’t wait to see him get KTFO.
[quote comment="215180"]Wouldn’t that be terrible if TUF 7 coaches were: Anderson Silva and Yushin Okami?[/quote]
LOL, America isn’t ready for that yet. I would like to see Okami fight Rich again in the future. Okami needs someone to push the pace. Someone that’s out to destroy him (Rich didn’t do that).
I see way too many typo’s on MMA sites. Considering most of the writers do this for a living, it wouldnt hurt to do some proof reading. I typo all the time but I dont get paid to write and post when th i have time inbetween work and school
I think that Okami vs Leben needs to happen. Also, I want to see MacDonald against Belcher. These would be some pretty interesting middleweight bouts with both fights with contrasting styles. Joe Silva? Are you listening? Damnit…just give me your job already.
His only loss was a decision to Franklin. He should get a warm-up fight with someone, then fight for the title against the winner of Silva-Henderson. Boring though he may be, he has the results to deserve a shot.
bla blah blah, i dont like watching yushin fight, i take a 15 minute intermission to do whatever when he fights, but no tuf 7 wont be anyone other than forrest and rampage as coaches. I know its a middleweight season but the coaches dont have to be middleweights, Matt Hughes and Rich Franklin were coaches on the same season.
Yushin Okami vs Evan Tanner
It would be a great way to welcome Tanner back.
[quote comment="215407"]Yushin Okami vs Evan Tanner
It would be a great way to welcome Tanner back.[/quote]
Yeah, I know it might be a bit too soon, but it would be entertaining.
id like to see chris leben vs okami, alan belcher vs ed herman, and franklin vs patrick cote.
but then again all i really want to see is hendo vs sivla until bisping, evans, and shogun move to middleweight.
[quote comment="215433"]id like to see chris leben vs okami, alan belcher vs ed herman, and franklin vs patrick cote.
but then again all i really want to see is hendo vs sivla until bisping, evans, and shogun move to middleweight.[/quote]
Why in the hell would Shogun move to middle weight?