Five Conclusions from UFC 122: Marquardt vs Okami
Posted on November 14, 2010, 05:29 AM by Anton GurevichUltimate Fighting Championship returned to Germany for the first time since UFC 99, promoting a SpikeTV-aired UFC 122: Okami vs Marquardt fight card. UFC suffered from a somewhat unfortunate turn of events, having their TV deal officially cancelled few weeks before the fight, and the co-main eventer Alessio Sakara pulling out three hours before his bout against Jorge Rivera, due to a mysterious illness.
But UFC 122 was not all negative, as German fighters entertained the local crowd with good performances, headlined by Dennis Siver's first round Submission victory over Andre Winner. Okami grinded out a decision victory against Marquardt, leaving myself with the following thoughts about what went inside and outside the König Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.
Also, please don't forget to update your rankings after this event.
Spike TV
As a viewer, it's hard for me to understand why UFC 122 was not aired live. Even if it's 14:00 E.T, UFC is one of your main products, so why torture the fans and air it in a 5-hour tape delay? It's bad for the UFC, MMA fans and even Spike TV. It's hard not to be tempted into checking the results live, especially when title shot is on the line. Spike TV should review their "tape delay policy".
Germany
Deutschland is a key for the UFC's success in the EU, but it looks like the local crowd finds it hard to accept Dana White's product. I've been talking about this hypocrisy before, and I'll mention it again: Boxing is one of the top sports in Germany. Just for example, most of Klitschko brothers' fights were held in Germany. So you don't have to be a Rocket Scientist to understand that there's a collision of interests between Zuffa and the local Boxing promoters. Without legit TV coverage and a back-up from the mainstream media, it's hard to find a reason for the UFC to visit Germany ever again. I just hope Dana White and Fertitta's see in this trip something others don't. Bringing UFC to Holland could be a perfect solution.
Yushin Okami
"Thunder" proved yesterday why he's considered as one of the best Middleweights in the World. In fact, Yushin Okami has one of the best records in the UFC, going 10-2 inside the Octagon. Yushin Okami did a perfect job against Nate Marquardt, playing it safe; concentrating on what he's good at and going home with a title shot as a result. He may be not the most marketable fighter in the UFC, be he's definitely well-worth his shot at the title. Okami is a complete Mixed Martial Artist, and I won't be surprised if he walks away with a title around his waist against either Anderson Silva or Vitor Belfort.
Nate Marquardt
I won't hide that I'm a big fan of Marquardt. But last night's performance left me quite disappointed, and to tell you the truth, I wonder if he can bounce back mentally to run for another title shot. Despite saying he's going to pressure Okami and control the pace, it was the "Thunder" who set the tone in the fight, forcing Marquardt to counter-strike during most parts of the fight. Marquardt is one of the most well-rounded fighters in the game, but he definitely re-consider his training methods from top to bottom, and try to understand why he's not the current #1 Contender for the UFC Middleweight gold.
Dennis Siver
The Russian-German kickboxer surprised me last night. Dana White stated at the press conference that "Siver behaved like a local superstar", and I totally agree with this statement. Siver is one of the most technical strikers in the UFC, and really deserves to be promoted alongside Michael Bisping and George Sotiropoulus. His decisive victory over Andre Winner proved it, and I would surely love to see him squaring off in a potential Fight of the Year against Charles Oliveira. It's a good match-up that and definitely a tough test for both fighters.
Photos: UFC.com
Comments
Nate ''The Choke'' Marquardt, he just dosn't perform well in big fights...
No kidding, you can tell he's been training with Kenny Florian....
@Anton no kidding i avoided lowkick all day yesterday to not spoil the results, they save it for 9pm est time to fill the most competitive time slot on cable 9pm its TV politics, good for them bad for us fans.
I wasn't really watching the fight intently because it did get a little boring, but to me Nate just looked flat, even though post-fight he said he felt great. However, I think that is more a testament to Okami, who once again lulled his oppenent into a slow-paced affair.
I agree with both you and Anton... I successfully avoided the results, but watching it on tape delay leaves something to be desired. Part of the mixed martial arts experience is knowing that you are experiencing the emotions and excitement along with the fighters as it is happening in real time.
I also agree with the statements made in regards to Marquardt. While I am happy for Yushin, I was quite certain that Nate would walk away the victor. Not only is he the more complete fighter, but I was expecting a solid gameplan coming from Greg Jackson's camp. Nate really should have mixed up his strikes better and made Yushin worry about him shooting, even if he chose not to actually commit to the takedown. Instead he did exactly what he said he would not do this time around, he fought to not lose rather than fighting to win.
@a222g i was doing the same thing, but when i watch that Spike was going to show UFC 122 at 9:00pm PT / 12 ET = Sunday!
i went nuts and check just to see that Nate lost his 3rd title chance!
in a way it saved me , because the event was very disappointing
its the first time ever that i watch Box instead of the UFC.
but in future events i hope Spike make it Live!
Whoa now. KenFlo is off limits.
or maybe he did well, but okami did better :)
just maybe.
how could that even be an option? Nate looked gassed from the 2nd minute of the fight. he looked slow and wobbly. the whole fight I was trying to figure out wat was wrong with him. I guess he really does choke in the big fights like Bad Boy Blue stated. he just seemed like he had nothing going for him and seemed like he was very unprepared coming from Greg Jacksons camp I don't see how thats possible tho.
if silva beats belfort and then once he beats okami he should def. move to LHW, the MW division is pretty weak right now and i really dont see any1 there who can defeat him except belfort or chael
I was disappointed with NM's performance, last night. I expected more from him. I don't know what the answer for him is, now. I don't see how he could be considered a threat in the division; he cant seem to win the big fights.
its not about your camp. nate didnt do anything what they told him to do from the corner is just mental lock what he has.
Anton save it for tomorrow night! www.KnoqOut.com best most passionate by fans for fans WITH FANS MMA RADIO AND PODCAST IN THE GALAXY! :D
great night of fights...wish I saw Vlad take out Fereira over that g-d awful Nick Osdhsuhpzac fight
Okami fought very smart. He did what he needed to do and Nate failed to back up what he said he was going to do. Yet I was not impressed his Okami's performance. If he was to stand like that in front of AS or Vitor he would have gotten knocked out, specially with AS.
i watch UFC and other MMA events on delay all the time, no big deal. People just have to find other things to fill out their day other than go on the internet and look up results "inadvertently" then bitch about it.
I told ya !!!! I knew it Yushin will going kick Sivla ass again
huh?
jesus how bad are then english fighters from team rough house, all them fighters dan hardy, ross person, Nick Osipczak, Andre Winner have lost their last 2 fights, ross only one that lost only his last fight, these are good fighters except nick that is, that are rotting away their careers in that camp they need to get the f-ck out of their