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[b1uef1ow]

Yushin Okami vs Dan Miller UFC 98 fight set for May 23
By: MMAmania


Believe it or not, but UFC 98: “Lesnar vs. Mir 2″ just got better.

Former number one middleweight contender Yushin Okami will return to the Octagon to challenge surging 185-pound stand out Dan Miller at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, on May 23.

Okami bested Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialist Dean Lister at UFC 92: “The Ultimate 2008″ in Dec. 2008, re-establishing himself as a top contender in the middleweight division. “Thunder” was the front runner to challenge 185-pound stalwart Anderson Silva for his division title before the Lister match; however, he was sidelined with a hand injury that temporarily derailed his championship aspirations.

The Japanese import — who holds a controversial win over Silva under the Rumble on the Rock banner — has won seven of eight fights inside the Octagon. His lone loss during that span was to former champion Rich Franklin back at UFC 72: “Victory” in June 2007.

With a win over a Miller — a very tough and underestimated competitor — Okami would certainly appear to be back in the hunt. In fact, UFC President Dana White already indicated at the UFC 92 post-event press conference that Okami had earned a crack at the belt … again.

It appears that Miller may now be the only thing standing in his way.

Miller was among several talented IFL fighters who Zuffa picked up when the promotion folded back in 2008. He was the last man to hold the IFL title; however, he was never able to defend the belt after defeating Ryan McGivern via submission (kneebar) to win it back in May.

A Brazilian jiu-jitsu brown belt, Miller defeated Rob Kimmons via first round submission in his promotional debut at UFC Fight Night 15 in September 2008. Four weeks later he followed that up with an encore performance, stepping in for an injured Ricardo Almeida to topple Matt Horwich via unanimous decision at UFC 90: “Silva vs. Cote.”

Most recently, Miller filled in again as a replacement to school blue chip prospect, Jake Rosholt, via submission (guillotine choke) at UFC Fight Night 17. It was another big win for the New Jersey native who trains at AMA Fight Club; however, Okami will certainly be his toughest test to date.

This is a great match up that pits two of the best in the division against one another for the right to join Demian Maia and Nate Marquardt in the suddenly crowded 185-pound division title challenger picture. Indeed, the winner of this match could fly under the radar and emerge as a serious threat as the action all unfolds in the coming months.

Better late than never.

Yushin Okami vs Dan Miller UFC 98 fight set for May 23 at UFC blog for UFC news, results, videos, rumors, fights, pics and tickets — MMAmania.com

Needless to say the UFC has been treating Yushin like shit and I hope Yushin makes short work of this dude to finally get his title shot.

[ckauffman28]

bullshit i was hoping okami would sit it out and get his shot in august, but now he looks like sept at the earliest. I bet they skip him over again and give it to hendo/bisping winner

[kingrobert]

I think that if Anderson Silva wins and Chuck Liddell then they will fight each other at 205. I think the UFC is going to let some of the MW fighters eliminate each other before Silva defends the title again.

[grambino]

Originally Posted by kingrobert

I think that if Anderson Silva wins and Chuck Liddell then they will fight each other at 205. I think the UFC is going to let some of the MW fighters eliminate each other before Silva defends the title again.

Okami doesn't need to eliminate anyone at this point. He's been passed over for quite a while now. He's getting screwed without lube.

[popsicle]

Originally Posted by grambino

Okami doesn't need to eliminate anyone at this point. He's been passed over for quite a while now. He's getting screwed without lube.

Agreed, in my opinion he has been eligible since early 2008 or maybe even late 2007.

[Sakara=Excitement]

I just watched Rumble on the Rock 8 last night and Yushin was completely and utterly embarrassed by Anderson. I hate seeing Yushin passed over and love to watch him fight but I don't know if anything will be different.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

Yeah, I don't really like this.

Okami has basically been "guaranteed a title shot for SO long and it just seems like they're trying to Werdum him. And it's not like he's fighting somebody who's in the muck of title contention like Maia or Nate, I mean, Dam Miller is just another fighter trying to gain a footing in the division.

don't like it.

[Nothing Ninja]

This is ridiculous. A lot of people have been chirping for months upon months about Lyoto Machida not getting a title shot at 205lbs, but what about Okami at 185lbs?

He is 7-1 in the UFC with wins over guys who are legit contenders (and whose names we actually recognize): Belcher, Starnes, Singer, Swick, MacDonald, Tanner, Lister. His only loss has been a decision to Rich Franklin, who, at the time, was the top MW contender.

This fight against Miller does nothing for him at this point. Maia, Marquardt, Henderson, Bisping ... all great fighters, and Okami is getting lost in this shuffle. It's horrible.

[pimpslappd]

I think Okami is boring, I will definately be rooting for Miller.

[amosaback]

I'm glad to read that so many people feel like Okami has been getting screwed. He may not be the most electrifying fighter, but he is a deserving fighter. Wins matter, not just flashiness (Houston Alexander). Okami has been passed over because of the focus on "exciting fighters".

On my soapbox: I love an exciting fight as much as the next guy, but this whole focus on having fights be "exciting" hurts the MIXED nature of Mixed Martial Arts. For example, why do we see idiots like Jorge Gurgel, who is supposedly such a great Jiu Jitsu player, always standing up. Fight organizations need to stop pressuring fighters to fight in a certain way and let them do their art. I think that bonuses should be enough to motivate fighters to keep the level of action high (be it on the ground or on the feet).