Fighter Profile: Yushin Okami

Hometown: Kanagawa, Japan

Height: 6 ft, 2 in Weight: 185lb

Age: 28

Current Organization: UFC

Professional MMA Record: 23-4

Yushin “Thunder” Okami is a contender in the middleweight division of the UFC. Currently ranked as the #3 Middleweight in the world, Okami holds notable victories over top UFC competition including a DQ victory over Anderson Silva. “Thunder” began his professional career in 2002 and amassed a 13-2 record before entering a 175lb tournament with promotion Rumble on the Rock. The tournament featured the likes of Frank Trigg, Jake Shields and Anderson Silva; unlucky for Okami he was to face Silva in the opening round. The fight started with Anderson controlling much of the fight standing, prompting Okami to secure a takedown. While on the floor, Okami landed several punches from the top position until Silva landed an illegal upkick to Okami’s chin while both fighters were on the ground. The referee stopped the fight to allow Okami to recover, but as he could not, the fight was awarded to Okami as a disqualification victory. In the second round of the tournament he faced Jake Shields, to whom he lost a hard fought battle by way of majority decision. He made his UFC debut in 2006 and compiled a 4-0 record in the Octagon taking out Mike Swick and Kalib Starnes and was rewarded with a fight against former UFC Middleweight Champion Rich Franklin at UFC 72 where Okami was replacement for Martin Kampmann. Franklin won the bout by majority decision, but Okami bounced back with a victory over Jason McDonald at UFC 77. He was set to face Anderson Silva at UFC 90 but had to withdraw due to injury only to see Silva fight Patrick Cote. He last fought at UFC 92 securing a majority decision win over Dean Lister. Next up for Okami is a bout with Chael Sonnen at UFC 104.

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Recent Yushin Okami MMA News:

• Defeated Dean Lister via Unanimous Decision at UFC 92

• Lost to Chael Sonnen by Unanimous Decision on October 24, 2009 in Los Angeles, CA - UFC 104 results

• Will face Lucio Linhares at UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31, 2010 - UFC Fight Night 21 fight card & results

By Sam Sihota
ProFighting-fans.com MMA Staff Writer
Published October 2009