Yushin Okami earns title shot (again) against Anderson Silva ... but when?
by MMAmania.com on Jan 1, 2009 4:45 PM EST
69 comments
Yushin Okami bested Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Dean Lister at UFC 92: "The Ultimate 2008" last week, re-establishing himself as a top contender in the middleweight division.
"Thunder" was the front runner to challenge 185-pound stalwart Anderson Silva for his division title before the Lister match -- he was sidelined with a hand injury that temporarily derailed his championship aspirations.
Patrick Cote then slid into his spot and unsuccessfully challenged "The Spider" at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote" on October 25.
Now the Japanese import appears to be back in the hunt. In fact, UFC President Dana White indicated (via CBSSports.com) at the UFC 92 post-event press conference that Okami had earned a crack at the belt.
Okami — who holds a controversial win over Silva under the Rumble on the Rock banner — has won seven of eight fights inside the Octagon. His lone loss was to former champion Rich Franklin back at UFC 72: "Victory" in June 2007.
The only bad news for him is that he will more than likely have to wait -- Silva is penciled in to defend his 185-pound title against Thales Leites at UFC 97 at The Bell Centre in Montreal, Quebec, Canada, on April 18.
In addition, Michael Bisping -- who will coach the upcoming season of The Ultimate Fighter (TUF) -- is a big draw who could leapfrog Okami if he can defeat the winner of the bout between Dan Henderson and Rich Franklin.
Perhaps he can keep himself busy in the meantime against someone like Demian Maia or Chael Sonnen, who are set to collide at UFC 95 in February.
He may have no other choice ... timing does not appear to be his friend.
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it’s all about marketability and an okami fight is not that marketable compared to other UFC fighters.
by Australian Open on Jan 1, 2009 4:50 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I actually think Okami is more marketable that Lettes, and will be more exciting, are you listening UFC!!!!!
by Robert(1) on Jan 1, 2009 6:20 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I’d rather see Okami get a shot at Silva than Lietes, but I’d much rather see Silva leave the MW division all together and fight only at 205 from here on out…
by 1-0 via Arm Triangle on Jan 1, 2009 8:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
the ufc needs to stop wasting anderson silvas best years on guys like james irvin, chris leben, thales leites, etc.
shogun/silva, rampage/silva, cane/silva all need to happen, stop wasting our time with these can crusher match ups!
by brendan on Jan 1, 2009 9:55 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LIke I said before. Anderson needs to vacate his title, permanently move up to LHW and the UFC should then hold an 8 man middleweight tournament over the course of 3 events to crown a new UFC middleweight champion. Send Anderson to LHW and Bring Wanderlei down to middleweight. Picture a title crowning middleweight Grand Prix which includes:
Wanderlei
Bisping
Franklin
Henderson
THales Leites
Marquardt
Goran Rejlic
Okami
by john on Jan 2, 2009 12:33 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Good Shout! That’s what I’d like to see… plus Wandi should defo drop down to 185!Maybe it would play out like this…..
1st ROUND
Wandi vs Rejlic = Wandi
Franklin vs Marquardt = Franklin
Hendo vs Okami = Hendo
Bisping vs Leites = Bisping
2nd ROUND
Wandi vs Franklin = Wandi
Bisping vs Hendo = Hendo
FINAL
Hendo vs Wandi = Hendo!
by DanP on Jan 3, 2009 8:42 AM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yeah not in America, but hugely marketable in Japan should they decide to crack the market. Not sure how long DREAM will last but I hope it’s around for a long time.
by RobH86 on Jan 1, 2009 9:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Okay…. the other day I was driving down the freeway when i heard a loud pop, really scary noise and my car was acting really eratic. I was out in the middle of nowhere. So, I called a tow truck to come pick up the car and hopefully tow me to the nearest mechanic. Took about 2 hours for them to come scoop me and my busted a$$ car, well come to find out the closest shop was 100 miles away in the wrong direction. We arrived at the mechanics shop but it was closed. We Parked it front and walked to the diner across the street had a greasy dinner and got a room at the hotel directly behind the resturaunt. I woke up early in the morning went to the shop and told them what happened….after about ten minutes of looking it over Trampus( the mechanic) told me that my Drive SHAFT was busted and that the soonest I could get one would be 3 to 4 days. Luckily the SHAFT came in 2 days and I was back on the road by the 3rd…..
by Psyqo78®™ on Jan 1, 2009 9:38 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
why did i just read this? way too long
way too unnecessary
by Katch22 on Jan 1, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
makes no sence giving him the fight, he lost against franklin few fights ago. but i guess there is no one else to fight silva at the moment
by gazzy on Jan 1, 2009 4:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Franklin is his only loss and he’s 7-1 in the UFC. How doesn’t it make sense giving him the fight? It’s retarded that they couldn’t wait a few days to see if Okami would win before trying to get Silva-Leites signed.
by NameNotRequired on Jan 1, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
True that. Waste of time! This is virtually just like Anderson gettin’ a rematch with Cote, that’s what it is like….A waste of everyone’s time!
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Jan 1, 2009 6:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Scrap Leites and let Okami fight instead.
Simple and fair.
Had Leites not lost to Marquardt i would say let Okami wait but he did lose so he is the one who should have to wait, not Okami.
by Lester the Pimp on Jan 1, 2009 5:01 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
exactly
finally okami will have his shot and i hope soon so we can see more fights of the spider in this year i can’t imagine the UFC 100 without the spider but i dont want to wait until that to watch andy back in action!!
by JoW on Jan 1, 2009 5:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree, then they should have a Maia/Marquardt match to see who fights for the title next.
by the_mexicutioner on Jan 1, 2009 5:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I agree with you Lester the Pimp about letting Okami get a shot at the title instead of Leites. Also Leites did beat Marquardt though it was a controversial split decision victory. Leites lost to Kampmann who has decided to drop down to Welterweight.
An Okami vs. Silva fight would be marketable since the UFC can market it as Silva having to face the last person to defeat him. I think Okami has a better shot at taking Silva’s belt than people give him credit for.
by Red on Jan 1, 2009 5:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Lester is talking about the fact that Marquardt absolutley destroyed Leites,but was penelized 2 points,also I believe Leites deserve a fight for the way he dismissed the notion that Marquardt deserved a rematch.He is scared of Nate,and knows that Nate would pound him again if not worse.Okami should get the shot just so Anderson can avenge his loss to him.
by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 5:43 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Give me a fucking break. Leites won Round 1 very clearly. Nate didn’t start beating Leites ass until after the Illegal Knee to the face which had Leites ROCKED BAD!! So bad he thought Herb was the Ref. Leties dropped Nate like a sack of Potatoes in the 1st round with a right hand nearly KO’ing Nate.
Both Leites and Okami fights against Anderson are a waste of the fans time. Give us a 205 bout.
by Tha_Pimp_man on Jan 1, 2009 7:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
He thought Herb was the ref?
by 1-0 via Arm Triangle on Jan 1, 2009 8:14 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
LOL my bad he thought Herb was a FIGHTER!!!
LOL!!!
by Tha_Pimp_man on Jan 1, 2009 8:30 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Leites started trying to take Herb down.
by Tha_Pimp_man on Jan 1, 2009 8:31 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
well even still, marquardt got a point taken away for a strike to the back of the head that wasnt there, so moral of the story is herb dean is an idiot and marquardt should have won the decision
by brendan on Jan 1, 2009 9:51 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Did anyone see silva okami fight
Anderson was never in danger
He knocked okami out on his back (illegal kick)
But imagine now
But I do think it has marketability cus they just gotta say silva lost before and ppl will wonder maybe okami has chance.which anyone does
by phenomenal angel on Jan 1, 2009 5:22 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
sick knocked out!!! i dont think there is nobody in the world that can knockout someone on his back, only the spider
by JoW on Jan 1, 2009 5:26 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gegard Mousasi.
Stop talking now, thanks.
=)
by Immak on Jan 1, 2009 6:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Mousasi!!! thats what im talking about! A Mousasi vs Silva matchup would be great… i would take Gegard…
by belfort_fan on Jan 1, 2009 7:08 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
haha was a litle bit diferent but yeah i totally forgot about mousasi
lol
by JoW on Jan 1, 2009 7:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
NO WAY GEGARD BEAT ANDERSON!!!!
by 1-0 via Arm Triangle on Jan 1, 2009 8:15 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Yes way Gegard Mousasi beats Anderson. Either way, sub or tko. Gegard has only lost by armbar (twice), and never been knocked out obviously. he’s extremely well rounded, and would take that belt from Anderson in at least 2 rounds! War Gegard!!
Also! Melvin Manhoef would KO the Spider in the 1st! Anderson doesn’t take people down, and Melvin would blast him before Anderson would get a chance to get him there!
DREAM beats the Spider 2 times!!
by Synystr [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 1, 2009 9:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
I would like to see both of them in UFC,but I still think that Anderson will run right threw them,but it would be interesting match ups.Manhoef looked really good the other day,even with what one or two day notice.Mark Hunt looked like a joke to me though.
by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 9:50 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Why is Anderson silva even in the middle weight division? He looked like a giant beside Cote. The only competition for Anderson is in the Light heavy weight division.
Dan henderson, Rich Franklin and James Irvin are all fighting at 205 and Anderson killed all of them.
PLEASE NO MORE FIGHTS AT MIDDLE WEIGHT FOR ANDERSON SILVA
Their is no competition for him.
by luke on Jan 1, 2009 5:25 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
There is one interesting match up coming for Silva at MW,and that is GSP.GSP will be moving up after he fights BJ and Alves.You know that fight will make huge amounts of money for UFC,also would cement him as the best P4P or #2 P4P,that depends on if Fedor beats Arlovski.
by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 5:48 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Fedor is one of my favorite fighters, if not my favorite, but if GSP beats BJ, Alves, AND Silva without losing, he would without question be the best P4P even if Fedor beat Arlovski and Lesnar and any other HW.
by Pantherhare on Jan 1, 2009 6:04 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Disagree, GSP is to small to fight Silva, Silva would have a reach advantage with his arms and legs. I love GSP but don’t want to see him destroyed.
by Bigmcmac on Jan 1, 2009 8:39 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Gegard Mousasi vs Anderson Silva would be the greatest fight right now IMO… Bad matchup for Silva imo,…..
by belfort_fan on Jan 1, 2009 7:13 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Right on brother.
by Synystr [[2009 Year of Gegard Mousasi]] on Jan 1, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
YES! you are right! please listen UFC! Anderson needs to move up to 205! There is nothing left at middle weight for him…
by EIGH8T TCO on Jan 1, 2009 10:36 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
For all those who think Okami couldn’t beat Anderson you are kidding yourself. Along side Nate Marquardt he is are serious threat. This fight is definately marketable now, if the UFC can not build up interest over Anderson v Okami they need to recruit a new marketing team!
I will be beating on Okami if this fight eventuates!
by DownUnder on Jan 1, 2009 6:05 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Betting smart a** :) give me a break, I am recovering from a week of over eating and drinking. Happy New Year!
by DownUnder on Jan 1, 2009 10:42 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
If GSP gains weight to fight Silva he will be killed in the Cage. That would be the worst mistake GSP could make.
by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 6:06 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
It isn’t that GSP will have to gain so much weight as it is that he won’t have to cut any to make weight. He walks around at 185 or so and at WW fight-time he is most likely around 180 anyway so 185 is not a stretch for him.
by dj on Jan 1, 2009 8:12 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
It’s about time. This has been brewing for almost forever now… But whatever happens, the Jap doesn’t stand a chance against this Brazilian freak of nature. All he has that could match up with Anderson is his size. The rest of the stats, you could throw out the window because Anderson is better in all departments.
IMHO, this fight is sorta’ like a waste of time and resources because we all know what’s gonna happen anyway. It’s just like a rematch with Cote, that’s what it’s like. A waste of everyone’s time…
by Syd[a.k.a. "The Negation"] on Jan 1, 2009 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I dont see what everyones problem with marketability is, as soon as the Spiders name is on the card it sells itself, it doesnt matter who he is fighting. I think Okami is a terribly boring fighter to watch but he is as tough as nails and hard to put away. That said he wont be boring when he fights Silva cause he will be running for his goddam life and the Spider will make it exciting until Okami is unconscious in the middle of the Cage.
by Spyder on Jan 1, 2009 6:10 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I guess you haven’t seen the number, Silva has the lowest ppv buys of all the big names. I hope Okami wins and SIlva retires with Wandy and Nog to be trainers, its really their only course of action to remain respected in the MMA world.
by Bigmcmac on Jan 1, 2009 7:41 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
To remain respected are you kidding,please say you are,he is probably the most respected right now,the reason the buys are so low is because he is such a mismatch for who ever he faces.Who really thought that Cote had a chance with Anderson that is the reason for the low buys,let him face GSP ,I would be willing to bet it would be one of the biggest PPV in UFC history.Even though there is history between Okami and Silva this would probably still be mediocre when it comes to buys.I will still buy it ,just like I do every event.
by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 9:37 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
okami didnt get knocked out from that illegal kick, he wussed out.
by Egads on Jan 1, 2009 6:58 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
did you watch the fight? seriously? yeah he faked it for sure… Just like Irvin did.
by medecine balls on Jan 1, 2009 7:11 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
Spyder,I think medicine balls was being sarcastic
by Psyqo78®™ on Jan 1, 2009 9:17 PM EST up reply actions 0 recs
WHAT A GREAT NEWS! I’ve been waiting for this news so long. Personally, I think Okami should get title shot first and Leites should fight one more fight and then maybe fight for the title. Either way, I can’t wait to see this. Anyone who has seen Franklin vs Okami should know Franklin did absolutely no damage to Okami and Okami got way closer to finishing him with Kimura than Franklin ever did with his striking or anything. Okami is just a slow starter, which I hope will change in the future.
by Shu on Jan 1, 2009 7:21 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Everyone should stay away from Maia. This kid is for real.
by Jason T on Jan 1, 2009 7:59 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Okami looked as if he was in another world, if he faked it just shows what kind of fighter he is.
What if it was pride or an organazation with diff rules?
(Even ken shamrock fights after being cheap shotted or hurt from disslocations)
Silva is my fav fighter
But I think gsp could beat him
Gsp isn’t gonna trade with silva, he will simply take him down and score points
Its ovious gsp can take anyone down
It wouldn’t be a great fight imo but maybe decision for gsp.
Silva has great jits but gsp is very underated he wouldn’t get caught
But with a quick strike can be game over for gsp, its mma
by phenomenal angel on Jan 1, 2009 8:57 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Only thing i see that would make sense. Would be to have winner of Rich/hendo be the coach And thats it. There both fighting at 205. And i dont want to see either of them fight Silva again. So End of the Tuf season have Bisping fight Okami for the Title shot, instead of having the coaches fight each other.
by hank on Jan 1, 2009 9:02 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
snorr . . . wake me when anderson fights vera or jardine
by COR on Jan 1, 2009 9:14 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
No matter what Lietes does not deserve a shot,he would be absolutly destroyed by Anderson.Okami deserves the shot just so Silva can get his revenge.Bisping would be like watching Franklin get a third match with Silva.Yeah, Bisping should get a shot ,but it will still be very ugly for him when he does.
by Scott on Jan 1, 2009 9:43 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Lets just get this one over with already, i want Ando at 205 permanantly by the end of ’09!!! Movin-on-up!
by ( (AdamG ) ) on Jan 1, 2009 10:11 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Let silvas next fight be at lightheavy like I thought it was supposed to. Then have okami-leites, winner fights anderson. There!
by alex on Jan 1, 2009 10:16 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
I agree with 205, cus even if gsp fight happens silva gains nothing except he beat a smaller man.
If silva defeats leites, he should fight rashad or rampage. Its like he has a 4 fight win streak at 205 (hendo, franklin 2x and irvin)
he deserves it more than bj getting a shot at ww.
I think he can destroy jackson, rashad is hard to say cus there hasn’t been weakneses exposed, besides chucks wobble with the straight, or titos guillotine.
by phenomenal angel on Jan 1, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
thales laites? i never even knew he was inline for a title shot. he got his ass handed to him by nate the great.
the ufc is doing to Canada what they do to the uk. GIve us shit fights cause it’s going to sell regardless
by Katch22 on Jan 1, 2009 10:34 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
Tho I must admit
Machida will be champ at 205
(Thiago silva has tools to put machida out, if not…) I’m getting of topic
if so anderson should fight him friends or not, what’s wrong with retiring by win or loss to teamate
by phenomenal angel on Jan 1, 2009 10:37 PM EST reply actions 0 recs
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