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[pa99fighter]

Manager: Anderson Silva fights Yushin Okami after July 19 fight
by MMAjunkie.com Staff on Jul 10, 2008 at 1:19 pm ET
After making his light heavyweight debut against James Irvin at next week's UFC Fight Night 14 event, UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva (21-4 MMA, 6-0 UFC) will return to 185 pounds to defend his title against top contender Yushin Okami (22-4 MMA, 6-1 UFC).

Ed Soares, Silva's manager, confirmed the plans while a guest on today's edition of TAGG Radio (taggradio.com), the official radio partner of MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com).

However, Soares said that a date for the Silva-Okami fight won't be determined until after the July 19 fight with Irvin.

Silva and Soares want to have a better idea of the fighter's health status before committing to a date for the fight with Okami. (However, sources close to the event tell TAGG Radio and MMAjunkie.com that the UFC has tentatively targeted UFC 88, which takes place Sept. 6 in Atlanta, for the fight.)

Silva, who's 6-0 in the UFC (with six stoppages), has made short work of the UFC's middleweight division, posting three consecutive title defenses (and a victory over Travis Lutter in a non-title affair) after defeating former champ Rich Franklin for the title in October 2006.

When the UFC needed a headliner for UFC Fight Night 14 to counter Affliction's debut show (a star-studded affair that also takes place July 19), Silva agreed to take it. The UFC and Spike TV have since launched a marketing campaign that lets fans know they can watch "the world's best fighter" on free basic cable. "Banned," meanwhile, comes with a $39.95 pay-per-view fee.

However, Soares, who also manages top UFC light heavyweight contender Lyoto Machida, said that Silva doesn't expect to make a run at the 205-pound title, and instead, will only move up when it satisfies their goal of "being involved in some of the biggest fights in UFC history."

"[Silva] doesn't want to make a run at the (light-heavyweight) championship because his friend Lyoto is in the line for it," Soares said. "He doesn't want to fight Lyoto, and Lyoto doesn't want to fight him."

Despite his perfect 13-0 overall record and 5-0 mark in the UFC, Machida likely won't get the first crack at new UFC light heavyweight champion Forrest Griffin, who won the title this past weekend at UFC 86. Soares said that Machida will likely have "one more fight" before he gets a shot at the belt. (Soares said Machida's fight will take place in October, an opponent has been determined, but it hasn't yet been signed.)

As for Silva, Soares repeatedly stressed that he wants his fights to be "events."

"We'll take it one step at a time," Soares said. "But what he's looking forward to fighting the best in the world and creating events. At this point in his career, he wants every fight to be an event."

The 205-pound division could provide that with superstars such as Chuck Liddell, Quinton Jackson and Griffin providing interesting and marketable fights with Silva.

However, Soares said the middleweight division will remain Silva's focus.

"As the (middleweight) contenders come up, he's still going to defend the belt," Soares said.

Soares also gave updates on clients Paulo Filho and Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira during today's segment. To hear the full interview, download today's edition of TAGG Radio, available for free in the TAGG Radio archives.

Anderson Silva better fight Okami after Irvin. Looks like Machida isn't next in line for a title shot.

[hunterkiller]

He's fighting in October. We all know it. They just don't want to announce it yet in case Silva gets hurt.

[thumper]

man silva/okami is one i'm excited about. Okami is one of my fav fighters

[Madd Wilk]

Silva/Okami COULD be a decent fight is Okami shows up with helmet on. All jokes aside, I like Okami and think he could be the 185 champ someday. I just dont see it happening while Anderson is still hanging around the division.

I like Cote as well but I dont see him having anything but a puncher's chance with Silva.

Silva's wrestling could get him into some trouble in the 205 lb division, as we have seen briefly in the past with 185ers like Lutter and Hendo.

Wouldn't Machida-Silva be an incredible fight?

After Okami and Cote, who is really a contender in the 185 division now? Outside of a rematch with Hendo, there aren't many good matchups for Silva. I wouldn't be surprised if he ends up staying at 205 by years end 2009.

[ArMnHC]

Okami finally getting his shot...thats all that matters.

[Badluck33]

^ Just went to a 311 concert 2 days ago. They play awesome. My fav band since like 1996.

Anyways who you think could be in the works to fight Machida?

Not Wanderlie
Not Chuck
Not Jardine
Not Soko
Not Jackson

My guess is Thiago Silva. That would be good cuz it'll be in Chicago and might be the main event. I'll be there.

Machida by Decision.

[Rush]

Originally Posted by Badluck_33

^ Just went to a 311 concert 2 days ago. They play awesome. My fav band since like 1996.

Anyways who you think could be in the works to fight Machida?

Not Wanderlie
Not Chuck
Not Jardine
Not Soko
Not Jackson

My guess is Thiago Silva. That would be good cuz it'll be in Chicago and might be the main event. I'll be there.

Machida by Decision.

I thought the 2 Silva's were fighting each other on an upcoming card???? maybe I confused it in some other post.

IMO Anderson wins this fight with Okami....but I think Okami could pose some problems with his size and strtength if he can get the fight to the ground.

[jukon]

I doubt it'll be his only fight at 205 if he wants to fight so often. The UFC would have to stop this whole idea of 'deserving a title shot' business if that were possible. I think champions aren't tested often enough these days.

Oh, and I would like to see Machida vs Shogun next. I wouldn't mind if Chuck got the next title shot.

[ArMnHC]

Originally Posted by Badluck_33

^ Just went to a 311 concert 2 days ago. They play awesome. My fav band since like 1996.

Anyways who you think could be in the works to fight Machida?

Not Wanderlie
Not Chuck
Not Jardine
Not Soko
Not Jackson

My guess is Thiago Silva. That would be good cuz it'll be in Chicago and might be the main event. I'll be there.

Machida by Decision.

yeah they're my favorite band too! was suppose to see them play back in february but i kinda got f*cked out of it...touchy subject so lets move on.

this is a case where Rampage losing really f*cked up things. Dana plans on having Forrest fight in September or October, and if its not against Rampage or Machida then who? Dana said Rampage will need a big win before he gets Forrest again, so im guessing a fight with Wand is on the horizon. then if Machida fights say Thiago Silva, then that leaves Forrest on the sidelines for a few months...so see, everything is screwy.

id say either Forrest fights Rampage or Machida. no other viable options.

[jukon]

Well you know how Dana treats his champions, not to mention he is close friends with Chuck. After he handles Rashad, don't be surprised to find him next.