UFC 104: Yushin Okami vs Chael Sonnen on tap for Oct. 24
by Jesse Holland on Jul 17, 2009 11:17 AM EDT
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UFC middleweight contender Yushin Okami (23-4) has been penciled in to return from the injured reserves list to face former WEC standout Chael Sonnen (23-10-1) at UFC 104 from the Staples Center in Los Angeles, Calif., on Oct. 24, according to UFC Japan.
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 Sonnen — 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.
But a lot has happened since then. Dan Henderson refuses to go away and the winner of Demian Maia vs. Nate Marquardt at UFC 102 is also expecting a shot at the belt.
Okami may need a highlight-reel finish at UFC 104 to help build his case.
That might not be so easy against Sonnen, who rebounded from a first round submission loss to Demian Maia at UFC 95 earlier this year with a unanimous decision win over up-and-coming Dan Miller at UFC 98 last May.
Despite taking the fight on just three weeks notice, Sonnen dominated with his wrestling and looked as good -- if not better -- than he ever has.
Prior to his debut loss to Maia, Sonnen handed a dazed and confused Paulo Filho — who was widely regarded as the second-best middleweight fighter in the world before encountering major personal issues — his first career loss at WEC 37 on November 5.
A win over Okami could once again inch him closer to 185-pound gold.
UFC 104 will feature a main event between UFC light heavyweight champion Lyoto "The Dragon" Machida and challenger Mauricio "Shogun" Rua. Shane Carwin and Cain Velasquez have also been rumored to meet to determine the UFC number one heavyweight contender.
For all the latest news on UFC 104 check out our complete archive right here.
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why not give okami henderson or cote? nothing against sonnen but i dont think he can take out okami. clearly the ufc doesnt wana see yushin against silva which is too bad b/c i think its going to take a great wrestler like him or hendo to be silva.
by bobby o'shea on Jul 17, 2009 11:19 AM EDT reply actions
Yes Okami is in fact a wrestler and uses his wrestling in All of his fights.
by KAZAI on Jul 17, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions
speaking of wrestling and team quest fighter dan henderson is gonna be on bubba the love sponge on sirius 101 in 2 minutes
by randy murders on Jul 17, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol your statement should have said, I didn’t know Okami was wrestler cause I’ve never seen him fight. BTW they aren’t trying to stop Okami from a title match. This is actually one of the main guys they want to face against Silva because he’s the last guy to have beaten Silva. Not literally of course. This is a case of Roger Huerta syndrome. Okami really is talented and can handle tough competition but why risk having him lose when he will be the guy to break the Japanese market in for the UFC. This is also the guy I have my money stacked on to beat Silva. Its a long shot but Okami doesn’t complain about his fights and he always has a smart style of fighting, he normally gets more aggressive as the fight goes.
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Jul 17, 2009 12:32 PM EDT up reply actions
I was hoping they’d keep the Cote/Okami fight alive, but I guess nthey can’t guarantee Patrick will be fully recovered from his knee surgery by then.
Still, pretty sweet main card.
Machida/Shogun
Carwin/Velasquez
Johnson/Yoshida
Bader/Schafer
Cote/Sonnen
by Jeremyjackson on Jul 17, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
wow jay, do you even watch mma? seriously, not knowing that okami is a wrestler is like not knowing chuck used to ko guys or that brock is big
by bobby o'shea on Jul 17, 2009 2:13 PM EDT up reply actions
By wrestler do you mean, collegiate background or olympic credentials? I watch tons of MMA but I am not the type of guy who goes deep into fighters backgrounds. I personally have zero interest in the guy and only know what I have seen. I can’t really remember a fight where he used unstoppable wrestling or anything exciting really. I’m sorry guys that Okami isn’t my favorite fighter. Most of the time when Okami is on I will take a piss, get a drink, whatever. I don’t hang on the edge of my seat waiting for Yushin to pull out his world class take downs, know what I mean?
by jay on Jul 17, 2009 6:59 PM EDT up reply actions
Believe it or not, I am a fan of Okami, except for when he chose not to continue against Anderson and took the cheesy win…but I do recognize him as a very tough middleweight for anyone to beat.
Okami has more boring fights then good ones, but he is a top fighter weather anyone likes it or not.
Wrestlers bore me for the most part but i wont deny Okami being a legit top fighters…so this is a good fight because it will eliminate 1 of the more boring fighters from title contention.
hopfully this wont be televised!
by JOhn G on Jul 18, 2009 8:49 AM EDT up reply actions
I thought they were gonna do Okami-Cote. Okami keeps gettin’ screwed over. The only guy he’s lost to in recent memory was a close fight with Franklin. I think it’s just that they can’t market a Okami-Silva title fight. The casual fans are not familiar with Okami. He doesn’t speak english and he doesn’t talk shit (seems like that’s what you have to do now to get anywhere – sad).
by Stryker on Jul 17, 2009 11:51 AM EDT up reply actions
Okami does talk shit. After Nog tapped Siva he said how the choke wasnt very tight and was suprised how quickly tim tapped. He said that is a typical american fighter, good from fighting on top but will quick as soon as things dont go their way.
by Drew on Jul 17, 2009 12:13 PM EDT up reply actions
you must’ve dug real deep to find that quote.
by Stryker on Jul 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Lol thats not talking trash, thats speaking the truth about Tim. He’s a bumb and he’s always looking for a quick way out. Was he talking about Nog or Fedor tho? cause Sylvia tapped like a little girl for both!
by Cogito Ergo Sum on Jul 17, 2009 12:34 PM EDT up reply actions
this should get the bonus for worst fight of the night…
by RoB on Jul 17, 2009 11:22 AM EDT reply actions
of the year…can’t stand Sonnen though…hopefully the ever exuberant Okami can make it quick…although it is a meaningful fight I hope its on the undercard
by McArthur on Jul 17, 2009 11:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Surprised they haven’t dumped this potential snoozefester on us Brits at 105 as the headliner.
by attakdog on Jul 17, 2009 12:11 PM EDT up reply actions
yea me too, isn’t there something we can do about that?? I bet if we all petition enough we can get this up to main event status in a future UK show.
by O damn he got caught on Jul 17, 2009 12:22 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think it’s possible, neither of them were on TUF or british or on a losing streak. I suppose if one of them were to act Irish(Marcus Davis) it could be pulled off, other than that it will have to happen in the US.
by jay on Jul 17, 2009 12:25 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d be made up if you could. Anything that keeps Dan Hardy vs A. Nuvvacan off the main event might actually persuade me to buy a ticket.!
by attakdog on Jul 17, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
I thought Paul kelly v Paul Taylor 2 was the next UK main!!!??? HAHA!!
by McArthur on Jul 17, 2009 2:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Snore…zzzzzzz. This fight is going to be worse then Anthony Hardonk VS Justin McCully!
by Punchintheface on Jul 17, 2009 11:28 AM EDT reply actions
give okami winner of maia/marquardt for next title shot after henderson faces Silva. I really hope Okami doesnt get an immediate shot. he hasnt beaten any top 10 middleweight to earn his shot. he lost to Franklin and IMO really needs to not ionly beat Chael, but beat the winner of Maia/Marquardt. Henderson has earned his rematch and title shot
by Horny for Gina on Jul 17, 2009 11:30 AM EDT reply actions
The winner of Maia/Marquardt deserves the winner of Hendo/Silva without debate. That is the #1 contenders match after Hendo.
Okami would be Silva’s rebound fight should Hendo dethrone him.
If Silva beat Hendo and Okami beats Chael.. then maybe.
by Big Zino on Jul 17, 2009 11:45 AM EDT up reply actions
If Okami beats Sonnen he deserves the next title shot regardless. He has beaten everyone in the division that Dana has put in front of him except Franklin. And he was in line for a shot before getting injured.
by PW on Jul 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT up reply actions
But he did get injured and that was a HUGE gap.
Without checking myself what is his most recent win?
Was it Evan Tanner?
let me know PW
by Big Zino on Jul 17, 2009 1:01 PM EDT up reply actions
Last win was Dec. 08 over Dean Lister, so it really hasn’t been that long of a layoff at this point. He’s 23-4 overall, 7-1 in UFC, has wins over Swick, Belcher and Tanner among others, plus there’s the unfinished business with Silva. He deserves that fight after a tune-up or sooner.
by PW on Jul 17, 2009 2:20 PM EDT up reply actions
Personally I would love to see him face the LOSER of the Maia/Marquardt fight if (which I think he will) beats Sonnen. Unfortunately that would be a fight I think if he won would get him a title fight, but not sure the loser would automatically be entitled to one.
Silva should face Hendo, Maia/Marquardt, than face GSP before moving up to 205 permanently. Problem is Silva-GSP would be a SUPERFIGHT and I’m sure Dana would want to save it for a big weekend (and I think Superbowl ’10 is unfortunately too close.)
Alternative plan: After Silva faces Griffin, have Silva reliquish his title, face GSP at SB Weekend ’10 and have Hendo face the winner of Maia/Marquardt for the now free title! I LOVE IT!!
by WB on Jul 17, 2009 11:57 AM EDT up reply actions
How about after okami wins, let okami fight ed herman or alan belcher
by phenomenal angel on Jul 17, 2009 11:41 AM EDT reply actions
Belchers the better choice. Herman’s got more rings in the ladder to climb. But I like Short Fuse.
by Big Zino on Jul 17, 2009 11:47 AM EDT up reply actions
What’s your ladder look like to have “rings” in it?
by attakdog on Jul 17, 2009 12:12 PM EDT up reply actions
Obviously his ladder is blinged out, diamonds, and jewelery all inbedded in each step; get with it attakdog, tired of doin all this splainin wit u mang…
by O damn he got caught on Jul 17, 2009 12:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Kind of like a regula ladder but a little more challenging to climb.
by PW on Jul 17, 2009 12:28 PM EDT up reply actions
Sorry odamn, I’m behind the times here. My ladder’s just boring, rickety and wooden, not a ring in sight!
by attakdog on Jul 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
Thanks guys.
I had to buy the latter at home depot and then UPS it to West Coast Customs. After they finished their upgrades I sent it to Jacob the jeweler.
It’s badd ass. Maybe I’ll post a pic if your lucky.
FYI – I meant to say rungs if thats even right.
by Big Zino on Jul 17, 2009 1:00 PM EDT up reply actions
If I’m not mistaking, Belcher and Okami fought a few yrs back. I think it was Belchers first fight in the UFC and Okami won by UD.
by Rampage711 on Jul 17, 2009 12:30 PM EDT up reply actions
how about Akiayama vs Okami? save it for UFC 107: RISING SUN at the Tokyodome
by nameless on Jul 17, 2009 12:18 PM EDT reply actions
I’ve changed my name to MMA ANALYST…keep an eye out for my posts bitches. I will be the new MD of MMA.
by MMA ANALYST on Jul 17, 2009 12:27 PM EDT reply actions
Okami sucks.
He doesnt deserve a title shot and would get destroyed by Hendo,Marquardt and Maia.
This fight sounds right for him in terms of competition.
I hope Sonnen destroys Okami so we dont have to hear about him and title shot in the same sentence ever again.
by Lester The Pimp on Jul 17, 2009 12:39 PM EDT reply actions
Na man they keep bending okami over too much. the man keeps fighting and winning and no shot, doesn’t he have one loss to franklin
I bet 3 more wins and then they’ll think of giving him shot
by phenomenal angel on Jul 17, 2009 12:41 PM EDT reply actions
and okami gets shit on again. Hes fighting a guy who lost his first fight with the org. I think itll be a good fight. And sonnen is no slouch. But with a win over him it still doesnt put okami any closer to his much deserved title shot.
by terribleone on Jul 17, 2009 2:56 PM EDT reply actions
wow, a Sonnen fight I actually care to watch. Never thought the day would come.
by just some dong on Jul 17, 2009 3:44 PM EDT reply actions
if it was hendo vs okami , i m sure that okami will dominate him because simply he’s STRONG,that’s it, watch again what mick swick said to his coach! he’s like lesnar , he will use the strength in the fight…
by karim on Jul 17, 2009 3:47 PM EDT reply actions
this is getting a bit stupid if you ask me. they keep throwing crappy figters at Silva. He hasnt had a legit title contender since Dan Henderson fought him… Okami shouldnt have to fight anyone else. If i was Okami i wouldnt even risk fighting Chael. I like Chael alot but this fight really doesnt make much sense? he is 1-1 in his last 2 fights. why is Okami fighting him?
by Salatious on Jul 18, 2009 9:55 AM EDT reply actions
Chael is world class in wrestling and Okami relies on size and strength that will not be effective against a technical world class wrestler like sonnen. How could Jay not know Okami is a wrestler; thats all he has (besides size). Why look at mma sites if you are barely a fan, which is obviously true if you thought Okami did not rely on wrestling and size. karim again how would a world class wrestler like Henderson be dominated by big but not great Okami. And someon said Swick told his corner about how strong Okami is but, Swick is naturally a welterweight. Swick is fast not strong. Franklin said he is not that strong. Sonnen and Hendo would be able to handle his strength. Marquart is probably bigger than him and is technically better so whoever said Marquart is too small to beat Okami, is mistaken imo.
by cameron on Jul 21, 2009 2:49 AM EDT reply actions
Sonnen is a better wrestler. He is world class; He was a 2x National Champion, NCAA All-American, and he was a US. Olympic team alternate. Okami is a good wrestler that relies on size and strength more than technique. Strong technical world class wrestlers like Sonnen and Okami can overcome the size and strength of a one dimentional sloppy Okami. He would never out wrestle world class olympic wrestlers Henderson or Sonnen which is what some people said above. Just because “quick” swick (a natural welterweight that is known for speed not strenghth) said he was strong does not mean anything. Rich Franklin said he is not that strong. Someone also said they did not think Okami was a wrestler. Come on, why go on mma sites if you do not even know Okami is a wrestler. And someone said he would beat Nate Marquardt b/c of his size but Nate Marquart is huge and may be bigger than Okami and Nate M has good technique and is more well rounded. Some peopl should check wiki.
by cameron on Jul 21, 2009 3:01 AM EDT reply actions
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