UFC 134: How Yushin Okami can defeat Anderson Silva
Posted on August 22, 2011, 10:47 PM by Trent Reinsmith
It seems like every story about the upcoming Anderson Silva versus Yushin Okami Middleweight title bout starts with the same focus, Okami being the last fighter to score a victory over Silva. While some would consider the introduction to be lazy writing, it’s not, it’s a way to focus on how impressive a feat Silva’s 14 fight winning streak is and if not for the illegal upkick that cost him the first Okami fight, his streak could possibly be at 17 consecutive victories.
The oddsmakers are not giving Okami much of a chance at UFC 134, listing Silva at -525 and Okami at +375. Translated to a percentage, those numbers put Silva as an 84 percent favorite, which judging from MMA fan commentary may actually be on low side of things. The odds are not a reflection on Okami as much as they are a statement on how dominant a fighter Silva is.
While many view Okami as a fighter with little chance to defeat Silva, the man that Dana White recently called, “The best fighter ever to come out of Japan,” does stand a chance if he follows the lead of his current training partner and the man that was within 110 seconds of taking Silva’s title at UFC 126, Chael Sonnen.
Sonnen came out at UFC 117 and took the fight to Silva, something that many opponents of Silva have failed to. Sonnen showed zero fear, using his wrestling to dominate Silva for most of the five round battle. The end came for Sonnen when Silva capitalized on an opening that was given to him, grabbing the submission win.
Okami is a better wrestler than Silva and has strong ground and pound. He also has never been submitted in 31 professional fights. If Okami can secure takedowns and stay in top position he may, however unlikely it seems, earn a decision victory, especially when one considers MMA judges propensity for scoring in favor of fighters that hold top position.
Further Reading: UFC 134: Silva vs. Okami In-Depth Preview
Comments
I believe Silva has worked out his wrestling issue and that He'll beat Okami in every area. Anything can happen in these fights, but this is what I see happening.
I'm sure he has worked out his wrestling issue, perhaps from the great Steven Seagal. Now that he has learned the seven techniques of takedown defense I'm sure Okami, despite being a great wrestler, won't be able to take him down.
haha...ya know, i once took Aikido from some guy named Skip in Florida, and he had claimed to meet segal, and had many stories, etc...he once tried to teach his class about some 3 point stance you can do in Aikido where, when done properly, a group of students could not lift him off the ground. should be the ultimate TDD...well, it never worked, and the guy just made an ass of himself. 3 of us would get around him and lift him off the ground, and he would claim he is doing it wrong, try again....same results . i eventually quit this class because the instructor sucked and i was learning nothing. wonder if segal really teaches that so called perfect TDD move, haha.
Okami cannot beat Silva.
after watching the complete and utter domination that Sonnen gave Silva before he was submitted, there is no doubt in my mind that Okami is going to pull off the Decision upset
@hunter: I totally agree. although Okami isn't as great a wrestler as Chael he has never been submitted. four of his losses are decisions, the other via tko. Silva has dangerous BJJ but I believe Okami will be smart and grind this one out.
liek he does in moest of his fights, would be lame as hell
Well, if he lies on top of Silva and 'grinds' out a decision, 20 thousand enraged Brazilian fans will make sure that there's no way in hell he makes it out of Rio alive.
Thing with Silva is, although wrestling is his weakness it's hard to see anyone using it to 'beat' him. You can use it to neutralise him and beat him on points but no one's ever really looked close to finishing him. That means you have to go 5 rounds out wrestling him without being finished. That's nearly impossible to do to an on form AS. His subs off his back and his KO power are crazy. I can see this going very much like the Hendo fight. Okami coming out looking impressive but ultimately getting stopped 2nd or 3rd round.
Don't forget that during the Sonnen fight the spider had a broken/fractured rib, 134 he will be healed up and will 2nd round knock ,Okami, the hell out. just watch, maybe even moving backwards like he did to Forest.
i think i was right lol
Okami is the safer grinder but Chael is the better grinder.
Yushin's only realistic hope is too use the same gameplan as Sonnen but I still don't think that will work for him, Sonnen is one of the best wrestlers in MMA, Yushin is great but not at the top.