UFC 122: Marquardt vs Okami Weigh-Ins Results and Predictions

UFC 122: Marquardt vs Okami participants gathered at the at the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany, for the official weigh-ins ahead of tomorrow's event. All fighters made weight, including the main event participants Nate Marquardt and Yushin "Thunder" Okami.

The event will take place tomorrow at 14:00 PM E.T. Stay tuned to LowKick.com for the in-depth UFC 122 coverage, as well as the post-fight aftermath.

Full UFC 121 Weigh-Ins Results (props to MMAMania.com):

Main event:

185 lbs.: Nate Marquardt (186) vs. Yushin Okami (185)

Main card (Televised):

205 lbs.: Krzysztof Soszynski (206) vs. Goran Reljic (205)
185 lbs.: Jorge Rivera (185) vs. Alessio Sakara (186)
170 lbs.: Amir Sadollah (170) vs. Peter Sobotta (169)
155 lbs.: Dennis Siver (155) vs. Andre Winner (155)

Under card (May not be broadcast):

185 lbs.: Rob Kimmons (184) vs. Kyle Noke (185)
205 lbs.: Seth Petruzelli (205) vs. Karlos Vemola (205)
205 lbs.: Alexandre Ferreiravs (204) vs. Vladimir Matyushenko (205)
170 lbs.: Duane Ludwig (170) vs. Nick Osipczak (171)
170 lbs.: Kris McCray (171) vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha (170)
170 lbs.: Pascal Krauss (170) vs. Mark Scanlon (170)

So, the event is just around the corner, and it's exactly the right time to present our official LowKick.com Staff Predictions. This time we also have a special announcement - the user Crippla is now promoted to Moderator! Crippla's username will be soon changed to "Jamie Kennedy", which is his real name (if you ever wondered). Jamie joins Joey, Daniel and myself as a newest member of LowKick.cm Staff. Take it easy on him, and he will spare your life :).

Enjoy!

Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami
Top Prediction: Marquardt via Decision.

Anton Gurevich: I strongly believe that Nate Marquardt will get a well-deserved title shot this time. It will be a tough battle, but “The Great” will get his hand raised in the end, after an entertaining three rounds. Marquardt via Decision.

Jamie Kennedy: Yushin Okami vs Nate Marquardt - I think Okami is going to be too much for Nate, I expect Okami to utilize his reach and keep Marquardt at bay, then eventually taking him down, controlling him and executing some good ground & pound to grind out a victory. Okami via Decision.

Joey Santosus: Okami will likely look to follow the blueprint mapped out before him by training partner Chael Sonnen, a strategy that Marquardt will undoubtedly be prepared for.  With that said, expect this to remain a standing affair, and while I can't see either fighter finishing the other, I'll go with the more dynamic striker. Nate Marquardt via Decision.

Daniel Cassidy: I fully back Okami in this one. Sure, Sonnen destroyed him with wrestling, so he goes and trains with Chael, and then outwrestles Mark Munoz, showing serious improvements in his game. His stand up is solid, especially his counter jabs. While I don't know if he can KO Marquardt, I think he will provide too many problems. Thunder is more well rounded, and should be the next to fight for the Middleweight title. Okami via decision.



Jorge Rivera vs Alessio Sakara
Top Prediction: Sakara via TKO in Round 2

Anton Gurevich: I have a lot of respect for Alessio Sakara, but I don’t understand how come he’s labeled by the UFC as a “World Class Striker”. It’s ridiculous. I think that Rivera will finish the Italiano via TKO in Round 2.

Jamie Kennedy: Tough fight to call in all honesty. I believe this fight won’t go to the ground, and should be a slugfest. With Sakara being a former professional Boxer,  I think he'll have the valuable striking advantage. Sakara by TKO in the 2nd.

Joey Santosus: The winner of this one will emerge on a four-fight win streak and should be looking at a major step up in competition. While both are similar stylistically, Sakara tends to be more effective with his striking. Alessio Sakara via 2nd Rnd TKO.

Daniel Cassidy: I like both fighters, but i feel that Sakara could take this based purely on the fact he has youth on his side. Both fighters are great MMA boxers, so I don’t see this one going to the mat, or to the judges’ scorecard. I am a fan of both, but I think that the Italians speed will see him literally beat Rivera to the punch every time, until he puts the veteran down. Sakara via r2 TKO.



Krzystof Soszynski vs Goran Reljic
Top Prediction: Soz. via Round 2 TKO

Anton Gurevich: The most important question about this fight, is who’s more well rounded? Somehow, I think it’s Reljic. So, I’ll pick the Croat to edge a Decision against the The Experiment.

Jamie Kennedy: I see the Polish Experiment K-Soz being too tough for Reljic to handle. He will take him down and end the fight decisively. K-Soz via 1st rd Submission via a trademark Kimura.

Joey Santosus: Goran Reljic is physically out-matched here. Expect Soszynski to close the distance and control the fight, while Reljic plays defense for three rounds. Krzysztof Soszynski via Decision.

Daniel Cassidy: Reljic is really way out of his depth here. Not only does Soszynski have a good stand up game, he is also well known for his Kimura's. I expect this to end quickly, with a possible finish bonus in there too. Soszynski via r1 Sub.



Amir Sadollah vs Peter Sobotta
Top Prediction: Amir Sadollah via Decision.

Anton Gurevich: I love Amir Sadollah’s syle, and think that he’ll get on the right track against Sobotta. My prediction is Sadollah via R3 TKO.

Jamie Kennedy: Both fighters coming in off losses, so they'll have everything to fight for. Sobotta is on a bad run at the moment, losing 2 of his last 3 fights. I'll go with Sadollah on this one by 3rd stoppage.

Joey Santosus: This match-up serves a purpose... Sadollah gets a winnable fight and the German audience a local fighter to support. And while this means a "home field" advantage for Sobotta, that will be his only advantage. Amir Sadollah via 3nd Rnd Submission.

Daniel Cassidy: While his record might make you think twice, Sadollah is a very competent fighter. He should be able to dispatch of the German with relative ease, looking to use his submission skills to end the fight. Sadollah via r2 Sub.

Dennis Siver vs. Andre Winner
Top Prediction: Siver via Decision.

Anton Gurevich: Sorry, I can’t see Andre Winner winning this one. Siver is a very explosive fighter, and one of the most technical strikers in the Lightweight division. I’ll still give Andre Winner a small chance and say that Siver will win it via a Decision.

Jamie Kennedy: I think that Siver will edge Andre Winner in this one. He got the local crowd support, and a lot to prove in this fight. Siver wins it by 3rd KO.

Joey Santosus: While both are competent strikers, expect Siver's unorthodox style to frustrate Winner, who, unlike his opponent, will have little to none grappling ability to fall back on. Dennis Siver via Decision.

Daniel Cassidy: Given this is on German soil, I expect to see the Hometown fighter Denis Siver come out on top against the Brit. Siver has vicious kickboxing (see his fight with Brit Paul Kelly) and will look to use his kicks against Winner's high level boxing. Siver is also well equipped should the fight go to the ground, so I don't see any way for Winner to take the W.  Siver via r3 TKO