• UFC 122

Bisping backs Okami to defeat Marquardt

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Michael Bisping has tipped Yushin Okami to come out on top when he meets Nate Marquardt in the UFC 122 main event on Saturday.

The winner of Okami v Marquardt is guaranteed the next UFC middleweight title shot, following Anderson Silva's championship defence against Vitor Belfort at UFC 126. For Marquardt, November 13 represents the chance to book a potential rematch with Silva, while Okami is the last man to defeat Silva - albeit via disqualification.

Bisping will be keeping a close eye on events, knowing he could be just one victory away from a title shot of his own. The Briton has been linked to fight with the loser of Saturday's main event, as well as a potential bout with Alessio Sakara, but he expects Okami to come out on top against Marquardt.

Read below for a handful of predictions on how the UFC 122 main event will unravel...

Michael Bisping, UFC middleweight contender
"I'm actually expecting Okami to pull this off. It's a great fight between two very tough, well-rounded guys. But based on the way Chael Sonnen controlled Marquardt in their bout, I think Okami has a chance to use a similar strategy and take the win. I think Okami will take him down, hold him there, beat him up a little and basically do more damage. I think Nate is much better off making this a striking match, using mixing in his kicks and punches and avoiding the ground altogether if he can. Okami may have been a little unlucky not to have got a title shot yet, but now his destiny is in his own hands and I think we'll see the best of him at UFC 122."

Anderson Silva, UFC middleweight champion
"This is a very closely matched fight; both competitors are well-rounded and could win by strikes or submission. I can't pick a winner. With a shot at the UFC title for the winner, I am obviously very interested to see who wins. I am excited to see who wins but no matter who it is, I look forward to defending my UFC middleweight title against him in the New Year."

Wanderlei Silva, UFC middleweight contender, former PRIDE middleweight champion
"I think this is gonna be a good fight between Marquardt and Okami. Okami is very strong and tough on the ground. Marquardt's good on the ground too, but I think Marquardt is a more complete fighter. He has good hands and I think this is going to be the difference."

Alan Belcher, UFC middleweight contender (lost decision to Okami in 2006)
"Okami has all the tools and abilities to win but he has failed to fight to his full potential. If he ever breaks out of his shell and quits being overly cautious he will be a beast. Nate is always a dangerous opponent with athletic explosive striking and a lot of grappling experience. This well-rounded fighter will give anyone in the division trouble but sometimes he's a little wild and out of control and Okami could capitalize on this. My pick is Marquardt; however, I wouldn't mind seeing Okami take the win so we could set up a rematch with him and me for my comeback fight."

Tom Lawlor, UFC middleweight contender
"This is an extremely tough match-up, and has "controversial split decision" written all over it. On one hand we have perennial top contender, Nate Marquardt, who was viewed as the "next in line" before being upset by Chael Sonnen. On the other, is the last man to defeat current champion Anderson Silva, in Yushin Okami. The key to this fight is going to be takedowns. We saw that Marquardt was susceptible to being controlled by a high level wrestler in Chael Sonnen, while Okami learned exactly the same lesson, from the same man, in a previous fight. In the past, Okami was viewed as a slow starter, however in his past few performances (wins over Lucio Linhares and Mark Munoz) his work rate early on was higher, and he displayed a crisp boxing game.

"Should he attempt to stand and trade with Marquardt, Okami may find himself over-matched despite having a reach advantage. Striking wise it seems that Nate "The Great" simply has more tools to end the fight; Okami would best be served by reverting back to his grappling roots and looking to score takedowns, followed by a smothering ground and pound game much like Sonnen used. I feel that neither man will be able to run away with the fight standing, or with submissions, and that both men will be able to control the fight at different times in all realms, with Marquardt winning by split decision despite being taken down each round."

Alessio 'Legionarivs' Sakara, UFC middleweight, fights Jorge Rivera at UFC 122
"I usually do not make picks for fights, because as you know in MMA anything can happen at the drop of a hat. For the main event of 122, it is especially hard to make a call of who is going to get the victory. Both fighters are very well-rounded, and both have an excellent amount of experience inside the octagon. If I had to call this one, I would say maybe Marquardt will pull this one off. He seems to be focused after his loss to Sonnen, and he has a lot of momentum at this moment. His training camp is very strong, regularly training with Rashad Evans, Shane Carwin, 'Bones' Jones, and the rest of Team Greg Jackson. I also think that Okami is very well prepared and has also been looking great in his last performances. For this reason, to call this particular fight is very hard. But I think maybe Nate will pull out the "W.'"

Kendall Grove, UFC middleweight
"I think, honestly, Marquardt is the top of the food chain right now, he's the one putting it together, he's on a roll. Okami's record speaks for itself, though, he's one of the top guys and he wants that title shot bad. I just think Marquardt is so well-rounded, he can do it all so well. Plus, Okami is a big guy but Marquardt is kinda the Brock or Carwin of 185lbs, he's a big, big put together dude.

"The thing is, at this level and with a title shot on the line, both of them have to go after it. If you are going to throw a kick, throw it as hard as you can, don't hesitate. If you are going to go for an armbar, go for it, don't worry about getting swept. And I think Nate has been in these situations before and will keep his head better. It will be tough, I think Nate will finish it in the third round."

Chris Leben, UFC middleweight
"People may think it is a little weird because I fight nothing like either of them, but these are two of my favourite fighters in the middleweight division. I love watching them fight. I think Nate Marquardt is probably a little more rounded, and he's on the top of his game right now. But Yushin Okami is great with his takedowns and on the ground and hits hard too. I really can't pick a winner, but I think Okami's size will be a big factor if it goes to the third round."

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