Winner of Okami vs Belfort to get the next shot at Anderson Silva; UFC 122 poster revealed
Posted on September 20, 2010, 02:52 PM by Daniel Cassidy"We are glad to be coming back to Germany with UFC 122 and to reward our loyal UFC fans in Germany. Both Vitor Belfort and Yushin Okami are one win away from a shot at the UFC Middleweight Title and are coming to Germany with a great deal to win and lose. This is a sporting event with tremendous international significance, and we are delighted to have been able to bring this event to Oberhausen."
These are the official words from UFC Managing Director of International Development Marshall Zelaznik. Only a week ago, the UFC were all set to announce Chael Sonnen vs Anderson Silva part II, with the winner of Yushin Okami and Vitor Belfort's UFC 122 bout set to wait in the wings. But now, a New Years super rematch is out the window, with Chael Sonnen failing a drug test. Now, Yushin Okami and Vitor Belfort will fight it out for a potential shot at Silva, once he returns from his rib injury.
Middleweight veteran Okami is the last fighter to "beat" Anderson Silva, as The Spider was DQ'd following an illegal upkick. He is currently 25-5, and has only been stopped once in his career. Okami was on his way to a title shot when he ran into Chael Sonnen, losing by unanimous decision, before going to train with the Oregan native. Since his loss, Okami has rebound well, showing vastly improved wrestling, as well as exceptional stand up against Lucio Linhares and Mark Munoz. A win against Belfort would easily be the biggest win of the Japanese fighters career, and lead him to a title match, and a rematch with Silva.
Belfort, currently 19-8, is on a 5 win streak. Despite being set to originally meet Silva at UFC 117, Belfort dropped out with a shoulder injury, and will now have a second chance to fight Silva. The bout with Okami is set to go down at UFC 122 in Germany on the 13th of November. In his last 5 fights, he has finished 4 of his opponents, and is on the best form of his life. He holds notable wins over Wanderlei Silva, Heath Herring and Randy Couture.
Comments
That's how it should have been in the first place. The MMA GOD has done it.
unreal poster
Damn Chael is really his own worst enemy on this one, he lost and still have everything to win. I feel kind of bad, at this point i know the reports have to be true, but I still am kind of at a loss at how anyone can be so incredibly stupid. I heard someone mention something about it was his cough medicine, it sounds like complete bullshit to me, but I guess it's reasonable to assume that it's just as likely he took something without knowing rather than not cleaning out his system for something he knew was there.
@ Chocolat
Cough Medicine as a cause - I fail to see how it can be both bullshit and reasonable, at the same time. If you think it's BS, then it's BS. If you think it's reasonable that it might be a false-positive, as the result of something in the cough medicine and there are precedents for such occurrences, then it is - reasonable.
It cannot be both.
I'de rather see Vitor vs Silva anyways.
your saying that like Vitor has one already won the fight
Nah Hype. I'm going with the Jap haha!
the poster is weird.
Yea, it is different, but I like it... Kind of refreshing.
The winner of this fight is who SHOULD be facing Anderson next anyway. Regardless of Sonnen's drug test result.
I agree.
belfort should win by tko round 2.. but a good fight to look forward too..
Belfort is a tough guy, but Okami is no pushover. Either of the 2 will be a great fight for Silva
definatly a great fight here both guys have good stand and ground game bound to be a true MMA fight which tests all aspects of these fighters skills definatly one to watch this one
okami by decision..
I think you are right and it's the last thing I want to see. If they stand and bang and Okami knocks Vitor out, or if he stops him on the ground either by strikes or sub fine, good give him Silva.
But if Okami dry humps Vitor on his way to a title shot I'll be pissed. Mostly because Vitor vs. Silva is an awesome match up. It would be one of those fights where you know someone is getting knocked out and it could be Anderson.
I want Okami to win but Belfort should of gotten his title shot a long long time ago. Plus Belfort hasnt fought since UFC 103 so he will have some ring rust
why should Vitor have got a title shot a long time ago ? what is this based on ? who has beaten at Middle Weight consistently ? what has he done in the division while Silva has been champion ? This Vitor di** riding is getting on my nerves that's why i'm rooting for Okami even though Vitor v Silva looks better on paper.
You make a valid point. Vitor has not defeated enough UFC Middleweights, but he has defeated plenty outside of the promotion. Furthermore, he defeated Rich Franklin. Yes, it was at a catch weight, but Franklin was the Middleweight Champion prior to Anderson. Again, I understand what you are saying and I am not necessarily disagreeing, instead I am explaining the logic behind those who feel Belfort should get the title shot. Now he has to go through Okami anyway.... Before they were ready to give Vitor an immediate shot because they really had no legitimate contenders. That seems to have changed.
Vitor vs Anderson should be very interested i am looking forward to that or Chael vs Vitor would be great too.
hahaha thats Karma FU@# chael sonnen
If indeed it is all true and the Sonnen fight is off, then why is Belfort fighting Okami and not Silva?
After having gone this long without a fight (literally a year-and-a-day), what difference would it make if Vitor sat out an extra 45 days (or so) and faught Silva on Jan 1rst?
This fight makes no sense to me.
I dont think either of these guys will beat Silva but Vitor definately has a better chance on the feet than Okami i think Marquardt can do better than either one tho.
Nice poster It's different and gets my attention. Bellator should take note they need better posters.
the card is so boring they just mention the main event on the poster xD
i'm not going to buy tickets for such a lame event -.-
So i guess Chael is really out of the picture already.
I'd rather see Vitor & Anderson exchanging blows.