UFC 122 – Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami Prediction

Fight Overview:  Two of UFC’s top middleweights go at it with a title shot on the line.  Marquardt is the better-rounded fighter and the more dangerous finisher, but Okami’s skill set plays right into Marquardt’s few weaknesses.

Okami’s Strengths:  Okami has good takedowns, a stifling clinch game, and very effective boxing.

Okami’s Weaknesses:  He is not completely dominant in any one thing, and is not a very prolific finisher.

Marquardt’s Strengths:  Marquardt has very dangerous and effective striking, good submissions, and decent wrestling.

Marquardt’s Weaknesses:  He has a problem dealing with dominant wrestlers.

The Verdict:  I think Marquardt has to be considered the favorite here.  Okami has very good wrestling, but he is not as dominant as the likes of Chael Sonnen, and Marquardt has a clear edge in the striking and submission games.  Okami is far from a pushover, but Marquardt is hungry for another shot at the title and a chance to redeem himself from the loss to Sonnen.  I think he will frustrate Okami with superior striking and hang in there on the ground en route to a unanimous decision.