Yushin Okami vs Dan Miller UFC 98 fight set for May 23

by MMAmania.com on Mar 3, 2009 10:08 PM EST

Believe it or not, but UFC 98: "Lesnar vs. Mir 2" just got better.

Former number one middleweight contender Yushin Okami will return to the Octagon to challenge surging 185-pound stand out Dan Miller at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 23.

Okami bested Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Dean Lister at UFC 92: "The Ultimate 2008" in Dec. 2008, 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; however, he was sidelined with a hand injury that temporarily derailed his championship aspirations.

The Japanese import — 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 during that span was to former champion Rich Franklin back at UFC 72: "Victory" in June 2007.

With a win over a Miller -- a very tough and underestimated competitor -- Okami would certainly appear to be back in the hunt. In fact, UFC President Dana White already indicated at the UFC 92 post-event press conference that Okami had earned a crack at the belt ... again.

It appears that Miller may now be the only thing standing in his way.

Miller was among several talented IFL fighters who Zuffa picked up when the promotion folded back in 2008. He was the last man to hold the IFL title; however, he was never able to defend the belt after defeating Ryan McGivern via submission (kneebar) to win it back in May.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Miller defeated Rob Kimmons via first round submission in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008. Four weeks later he followed that up with an encore performance, stepping in for an injured Ricardo Almeida to topple Matt Horwich via unanimous decision at UFC 90: "Silva vs. Cote."

Most recently, Miller filled in again as a replacement to school blue chip prospect, Jake Rosholt, via submission (guillotine choke) at UFC Fight Night 17. It was another big win for the New Jersey native who trains at AMA Fight Club; however, Okami will certainly be his toughest test to date.

This is a great match up that pits two of the best in the division against one another for the right to join Demian Maia and Nate Marquardt in the suddenly crowded 185-pound division title challenger picture. Indeed, the winner of this match could fly under the radar and emerge as a serious threat as the action all unfolds in the coming months.

Better late than never.

For the latest UFC 98 fight card and rumors click here.

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Comments

I really like Dan Miller but this fight sucks and Okami will win 100%. I mean this is a guy who almost mounted Maia in ADCC. This is ridiculously BS. He should just go to Dream and at least make money. WTF is the point of being world ranked and getting nowhere. F%$k joe silva and dana, go get that money from someone else.

by NameNotRequired on Mar 3, 2009 10:12 PM EST reply actions

Must be a Silva fight coming up for Okami? Only reasonable explanation I can see him fighting such a low ranked fighter, Silva want’s redemption and the UFC will pad Okamis record to add hype possibly? Just a guess.

by Beaver on Mar 3, 2009 10:32 PM EST up reply actions

Okami has been out for a while. I think they want to get him this win, then a title shot. Of course, that title shot is a long time coming for him.

by PW on Mar 3, 2009 11:07 PM EST up reply actions

okami getting shafted as usual… couldnt have matched him up with marquardt? or maia? wtf?

by brendan on Mar 4, 2009 12:05 AM EST up reply actions

both would be dangerous to give a guy when he’s lookin at a title shot, i think he’s next on silva’s schedule after leites but okami wants a fight in between

by randy murders on Mar 4, 2009 1:54 AM EST up reply actions

ufc are really screwing over Okami….. c’mon this guy deserves a shot way more than leites does

it should be Okami/Silva and Miller/Leites instead

by ufcaddict on Mar 4, 2009 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

I think your all potentially missing the bigger picture here. Okami is a very game opponent, the guy went to a decision with Franklin as his only loss in the UFC. The UFC isn’t worried about Okami losing this fight. The UFC is waiting for Caol Uno and Ishi or any other Asian fighters they can get. Okami is set to face Silva in Japan. I’m thinking they are pushing Okami back so they can figure out how to break into the Japanese market.

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Mar 4, 2009 7:14 AM EST up reply actions

GOod post NNR! Okami should just leave America all together! He gets nO respect here….he has been wasted on ifghts against Tanner, Lister and now Miller….Give me a break. Okami should only be booked to fight top guys like:

Anderson
Leites
Bisping
Hendo
Marquardt
Maia

by john on Mar 4, 2009 8:41 AM EST up reply actions

Miller upset special.

I’m really sick of everyone complaining about how Okami is getting shafted. He won’t give Anderson a fight. He’s not marketable. Casual fans have no idea who he is. Yea, he has wins so in that way you can justify him being a top contender, but do you guys honestly wanna see that fight?? Not a question of if you think he deserves it b/c of record, but are u personally willing to pay good money to watch that as a main event?? I sure as hell am not, unless the undercard is really strong. They coulda gave him a tougher “keep busy fight” on paper, but I assume they want him to win to set that fight up down the road overseas.

by Crowls on Mar 4, 2009 2:13 PM EST up reply actions

Not the point crowls. This is a sport not WWE where only marketable guys get there shot. Guys like Okami, Machida shouldn’t have to change their style- their job should only be to win.

by NameNotRequired on Mar 4, 2009 8:03 PM EST up reply actions

I agree 100% NNR. A fighter should get a title shot if he has earned it using his skill and hard work and beating opponets who are put against him. Not because he is the most marketable or because it someone casual fans are familiar with. The champion is supposed to fight all the best fighters to prove that he is the superior fighter, not just the popular ones or the ones who sell the most tickets.

by Ade on Mar 5, 2009 3:13 AM EST up reply actions

I really like the miller brothers. Both are very well rounded and press for the win the whole time. Just the kind of fighters I like to watch. I think Dan could pull off the upset in this one but Okami has gotta be the favourite.

I think it will be a lot closer than people think but Okami is very strong and I think that will be the deciding factor in the wrestling / grappling aspect of the fight. Okami just has the edge in all areas. Should be a very interesting one though.

by Ca$z on Mar 4, 2009 4:54 AM EST up reply actions

we will see about that. dan is a beast and anything can happen.

by upset on Apr 29, 2009 5:25 PM EDT up reply actions

Im sure it’s gonna be a good fight but it’s a bad matchup for Okami.. a win over Miller won’t do too much for his career

by RoB on Mar 3, 2009 10:14 PM EST reply actions

fighting nobodies should be illegal when you’re a top 5 middleweight in the UFC

by RoB on Mar 3, 2009 10:16 PM EST reply actions

Tell that Koscheck, only apply it to welterweights.

by PW on Mar 3, 2009 11:06 PM EST up reply actions

I agree, I’m getting tired of seeing top guys fight guys who are beneath them. It’s a bit ridiculous. ie…Machida should of fought Rampage for next in line for a shot. Its screwy imo to have rampage/jardine machida/silva.

by rydinlow on Mar 3, 2009 10:25 PM EST reply actions

all too many of us agree with that statement. the UFC drops the ball on fights like that all the time. I’m going to UFC 96 and I would of paid more for my tix if Rampage and Machida were fighting.

by BK on Mar 3, 2009 10:31 PM EST up reply actions

the UFC is an entertainment business, they will do what’s best for the UFC.. too bad for Okami that he ain’t selling tickets

by RoB on Mar 3, 2009 11:04 PM EST up reply actions

Well if they’re thinking of breaking into Japan this guy can be a poster boy. Sooner or later they will do a show there. I can’t imagine them not trying to capitalise on such a big market.

I wonder how DREAM are doing. If they go under they could snap up loads of the Japanese talent and then crack the market.

by RobH86 on Mar 4, 2009 9:44 AM EST up reply actions

dont know how bad they are doing, but I know that they are not happy with the ratings that they have been pulling in!

WTF cant Dana just bring back PRIDE for like 3 events a year! I would love to see wanderlei DESTROY chuck under Pride rules!

btw, under Pride rules, Rampage would never lose another fight! His knees on the ground were one of the most destructive weapons I have ever seen in the sport and the UFC took that away!

by john on Mar 4, 2009 11:50 AM EST up reply actions

also the stomps of shogun!!!

by JoW on Mar 4, 2009 5:23 PM EST up reply actions

im taking miller for the upset!! haha i’d like to see what the odds are, definitely going to throw some flow on miller if hes a big underdog

by "I came, I saw, I conquered" - "Veni, Vidi, Vici" on Mar 3, 2009 10:30 PM EST reply actions

talk about tossing to the lions.hyas miller fought before rosholt?

by NM on Mar 3, 2009 10:43 PM EST reply actions

has*

by NM on Mar 3, 2009 10:46 PM EST reply actions

i meant has he fought big name fighters*came out wrong.

by NM on Mar 3, 2009 10:53 PM EST reply actions

Rob Kimmons and Rosholt seem to be his biggest fights in the UFC so far. He was CFFC Middleweight champ which he beat Lance Everson to get the belt.

by BK on Mar 3, 2009 11:00 PM EST up reply actions

thanks!!i think you are the one answering all my questions haha.bit new to the sport.

by NM on Mar 3, 2009 11:09 PM EST up reply actions

I help when I can.

by BK on Mar 3, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

i just wanna say one thing for this fight
WTF!!!!
IMO maia vs okami make more sense
marquardt wants a title shot
if the UFC wants to cut okami ones for all put him againts marquardt and give nate the next title shot
come on the way i see it, will be like 4 title contenders:
maia, marquardt, bisping/hendo, okami(when he win)
AND come on please stop waiste our time trying no make a mini tournament for the number one contender
THIS GUYS NEED TO STAR FIGHTING EACH OTHER NOW!!!

by JoW on Mar 3, 2009 11:37 PM EST up reply actions

Miller is an excellent fighter but he’s not ready for Okami by any means. Okami by tko in the second.

by Budgell on Mar 3, 2009 11:06 PM EST reply actions

I think Okami is the perfect next step up in competition for miller. Okami is timid lately, he definately seems to have declined a bit.

by BK on Mar 3, 2009 11:18 PM EST reply actions

i will be rooting for miller a lot
just cuz i want marquardt no have his rematch!!

by JoW on Mar 3, 2009 11:46 PM EST reply actions

To paraphrase the lunatic Junie Browning, " Miller has more chances of getting Okami pregnant than beating him."

by Phasebook on Mar 4, 2009 12:07 AM EST reply actions

Miller is going to tap Okami, who has become vastly overated by fans just because he has a DQ victory over Silva doesn’t mean he should get a title because of it. Dan is dangerous in any position and with Okami’s slow methodical style there will be plenty of opening for him to get submitted UFC 98 is getting very interesting so far.

by EJ on Mar 4, 2009 1:12 AM EST reply actions

Right, miller will sub him when lister couldnt? Get out of here. Youre just spewing BS praying that miller pulls through on a 5% chance so you can come back and say HA!

by Scott on Mar 4, 2009 4:06 AM EST up reply actions

No he’s probably just ill advised and doesn’t realize how dangerous Okami is. Okami will dominate Miller from start to finish in this fight.

by Cogito Ergo Sum on Mar 4, 2009 8:15 AM EST up reply actions

In any division, in any organization, in any combat sport there is no-one that deserves a title shot more than yushin okami. It is completely F’up if i was him i would try to sue the ufc for discrimination. this is almost as bad as fitch’s road to the belt

by zorro on Mar 4, 2009 1:36 AM EST reply actions

okami will win, hes got amazing sub defense and is just a complete fighter. the problem is hes more boring than watching paint dry

by Jared on Mar 4, 2009 7:21 AM EST reply actions

i must say okami gains my respect
the man has justified a title shot over a year ago he gets dogged out, no respesct he doesn’t not bitch about it, he fights fights lister wins should get his shot doesn’t now he fights miller the man wants his title shot and will go to hell and back to get it

war okami!!!!!!!!!!!

by bryant on Mar 4, 2009 9:30 AM EST reply actions