Chael Sonnen dreads UFC 104 staring match with 'unmarketable' Yushin Okami

by Jesse Holland on Oct 23, 2009 2:29 PM EDT

Quoteworthy:

"He's a step in the wrong direction. Unmarketable. Not pleasing to watch and a horrible interview. He doesn't do a whole lot (in the cage). If I wanted to stand there and look at him, he would just stand and look at me back. But if you go after him, he'll engage. If you go to mess around with him, that's when he'll turn it on. And he just keeps finding a way to win."

Chael Sonnen shares some unkind words about Yushin Okami, who meets the WEC veteran inside the Octagon this Saturday night at UFC 104 from Los Angeles. The Japanese import 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 back in June 2007 -- but has been criticized for his less-than-exciting style. Perhaps a railroad finish on the Oregon wrestler can get people talking again.

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Comments

that description sounds like machdia LOL

by nelson on Oct 23, 2009 2:53 PM EDT reply actions

Exactly right. Everyone on here hated Machida until he took that belt. Now everyone loves him. A KO or two and everyone will be talking about how elusive Okami is and how this is the Okami era.

by wAyNe on Oct 23, 2009 3:27 PM EDT up reply actions

who the Fock is Chael calling boring and unmarketable?

Cchael might be the better wrestler technically, but Okami’s freak strength, superior grappling and off the charts conditioning will be too much for Chaels wrestling. Okami via decision.

by john G on Oct 23, 2009 3:51 PM EDT up reply actions

sonen sounds like a whinny little b!+c# in every interview ive seen him in

by child on Oct 23, 2009 4:34 PM EDT up reply actions

lol@john G. I know what you’re saying man, Chael only looks exciting when he loses haha. Okami will do what he always does, lull his competition and pull out a victory.

Okami is where Machida was; a great fighter with a great record, flying just under the radar until he can get exciting wins. If he finishes Sonnen and his next opponent, I think he’ll be up for a number 1 contender/title shot.

Hell, if Okami finishes him, and with Hendo gone (ughh) we could see Silva/Belfort for the title and Marquardt/Okami for the next shot.

by rockwell on Oct 23, 2009 5:45 PM EDT up reply actions

Okami has the “nullifying” game down to a tee. I can only imagine what kind of beast he could be if he adopted a more aggressive ground and pound. It would be even more miserable to be pinned under him. I would think all his fights would look like Kongo-Cain I.

by NameNotRequired on Oct 23, 2009 9:09 PM EDT up reply actions

Easily my favorite Okami pic:

by Jesse Holland on Oct 23, 2009 2:55 PM EDT reply actions

Hillarious dang does Okkami have any teeth?

by Jennifer on Oct 23, 2009 4:28 PM EDT up reply actions

That pic makes Okami look reckless and aggressive.

by marshal on Oct 23, 2009 8:23 PM EDT up reply actions

classic lol

by nelson on Oct 23, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

Chael has a style that is a good matchup for him. I think they set up this match in the hope of eliminating Okami from contendership.

by quidnunc on Oct 23, 2009 2:57 PM EDT reply actions

I was thinking the opposite. If Okami gets through Chael and one top level guy he might get a shot. He’s got a win over Anderson Silva by DQ back in 2006 which makes for a nice rematch.

by H.I. McDunnough on Oct 23, 2009 5:13 PM EDT up reply actions

No way. Everyone is freaked by his power. He doesnt look strong, but hes a beast.

by BoBBy on Oct 23, 2009 3:00 PM EDT reply actions

Speaking of unmarketable, what’s up Chael??

by jay on Oct 23, 2009 3:11 PM EDT reply actions

Really. Sonnen sounds like such a moron when he talks as well. He kind of reminds me of introvert when he posts.

by El Mexicutioner, Formerly The Mexicutioner on Oct 23, 2009 4:05 PM EDT up reply actions

Okami will win… but he will still fight on undercards. Machida realized at the right time that he has to come to fight and engage.

Okami and his avoidance style wont get him any title shots anytime soon. He is truly a borefest.

by Instant_Noodle on Oct 23, 2009 3:12 PM EDT reply actions

Being that i don’t really give a shit about either of these guys, now i’ll root for Okami just Sonnen talking shit…..shut up Chael and worry about the fight…

by kg on Oct 23, 2009 3:36 PM EDT reply actions

I hope Okami breaks his arm and says in broken English afterwards how he always wanted to do that

by KMac on Oct 23, 2009 3:52 PM EDT reply actions

Are you sure you aren’t thinking of Squeaky Cantwell with that?

by PW on Oct 23, 2009 4:20 PM EDT up reply actions

Dammit I think you’re right. Long day. Sorry!

by KMac on Oct 24, 2009 8:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Okami is gonna smash Chael. Its a rap. He’s way to strong in the clinch. Yushin may not be the most exciting fighter when it comes to finishing fights, but for the more technically oriented fans he is great to watch. Okami has been a victim of chance due to his injuries, but he will keep winning until the UFC either has to give him a title shot or sets him on his way to strikeforce to fight Shields or Mayhem.

by RyGuy on Oct 23, 2009 3:56 PM EDT reply actions

Okami has Fought a bunch of bums in his last 7 or 8 fights… INCLUDING RICH FRANKLIN! Chael Sonnen only loses to submissions… I take chael by decision…

by drew on Oct 23, 2009 4:05 PM EDT reply actions

Franklin is a bum? Wow. Also how nice of you to lump Tanner in the “bum” category (RIP Evan!). Perhaps you should go read Okami’s record before calling his opponents bums. Also Sonnen has two (T)KO losses on his record. One to Jeremy Horn and the other to Terry Martin.

by n4tacon on Oct 23, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions

drew – are you delusional? Have you even looked at Okami’s opponents?

by WB on Oct 23, 2009 5:39 PM EDT up reply actions

Okami’s definitely going to have to get an exciting finish here if he wants a run at a title. The injuries and the failure to finish are keeping him out of line for a shot. He has the skills, no question about that, it’s just putting them together for an exciting win. Okami via decision or a sub. Sonnen shouldn’t talk about unmarketable either. His last three wins have been very boring lay-n-pray decisions.

by n4tacon on Oct 23, 2009 4:31 PM EDT reply actions

War Okami, kick his ass!

Then pull Dana in the cage and beat his ass down too

by torresisawarrior on Oct 23, 2009 4:40 PM EDT reply actions

sonnen is one to talk about boring and unmarketable. i’ll be cheering for okami in this one. he should take it handily.

by battery on Oct 23, 2009 5:17 PM EDT reply actions

If Chael is a whiny bitch what does that make all of you? Every post online regarding Okami says exactly what Chael was quoted as saying. Pot meet kettle.

by nickname on Oct 23, 2009 5:18 PM EDT reply actions

Not pleasing to watch? What about Sonnen’s last fight against Miller, snoozefest. Sonnen is only fun to watch when he’s getting his arm snapped or getting choked out.

And talk about Okami not finishing, jeez Soneen couldn’t finish and barely dared to engage a cracked out Filho who spent half of the duration of the bout talking to Jesus.

Not marketable? Sonnen looks like a kiddie diddler. Seriously this guy is in another world, remember when he said he was going to beat Anderson Silva haha. And the I love Dana White video he did. Man Sonnen you is just a bitch. Pathetic. Shut up!

by Geko on Oct 23, 2009 7:52 PM EDT reply actions

dude you guys have know idea because Okami has the best chance to beat Silva think about it his standup does need to improve but his takedowns and control on top is what will win him the fight this time by TKO watch and see!

by eric hewitt on Oct 23, 2009 9:32 PM EDT reply actions