UFC 144 – Yushin Okami vs Tim Boetsch Preview

This will be Okami’s first fight in Japan in almost five years. In that time, he got close to multiple title shots at Anderson Silva but never quite got them before of Franklin, injuries and Chael Sonnen. When he finally got the title shot, Anderson Silva destroyed him effortlessly. This is his shot to redeem himself from such a loss, and Boetsch is a good opponent.

Boetsch has two good wins in the middleweight division against Kendall Grove and Nick Ring. He has good wrestling and hits super hard. But Okami is the better technical striker and the better all around grappler. It will be upsetting to see a top five guy like Okami lose to a good but not elite fighter like Boetsch. I’m sure Matt Hume is doing everything possible to make Boetsch comfortable of fighting in Japan and preparing him for this fight. But Okami should be a safe pick for this fight.