MMA Worldwide

Name:

Yushin Okami

Nick Name:

Thunder

Height:

6'2 (187cm)

Weight:

185lbs (83.91kg)

City:

Tokyo

Country:

Japan

Birth Date:

Dec 31 1981 (30)

Association:

Wajyutsu Keisyukai Tokyo

Yushin “Thunder” Okami

Biography

Okami has been competing on the professional level since 2002. Okami started his career fighting in several different organizations, such as Pancrase and PRIDE, amassing a record of 6-0 before being defeated by Amar Suloev.

He continued fighting in multiple promotions before arriving at Rumble on the Rock, one of Hawaii's most well-known organizations, where he competed in their 175 lb tournament. This particular tournament was held in high regard by the mixed martial arts community, as well-known fighters such as Anderson Silva, Frank Trigg, Renato Verissimo, and Jake Shields were competing. In the opening round of the tournament, Okami fought current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva; the bout resulted in a disqualification victory for Okami, as Silva executed an illegal up-kick to the head while both of Okami's knees were grounded. The referee intervened immediately, calling a stop to the fight.

In the next round of the tournament, Okami faced current EliteXC welterweight champion Jake Shields, a tournament favorite. Okami used his takedown defense and striking range to hold Shields to a majority decision; however, the decision did not lean in Okami's favor. Shields went on to win the tournament and became Rumble on the Rock's first 175 lb Grand Prix champion. Afterwards, Okami amassed two victories in Japan, including one over Pancrase veteran Izuru Takeuchi, before signing a contract with the UFC. Okami made his UFC debut at UFC 62, defeating Alan Belcher by unanimous decision. He then defeated Kalib Starnes via TKO at UFC 64, and made his third UFC appearance at UFC 66, defeating Rory Singer by submission from strikes. Singer was a replacement for Okami's original opponent, David Terrell, who had withdrawn from the card due to an elbow injury.

After winning three consecutive fights in the UFC, Okami was matched up against The Ultimate Fighter 1's Mike Swick at UFC 69 in Houston, Texas. Okami won the bout by unanimous decision. Okami also competed in the ADCC, a prestigious grappling tournament consisting only of top 16 grapplers in the world of each weight class in 2007 under 87 kg (191 lb) on May 5, 2007 and lost to renown Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Demian Maia in the elimination round. Maia went on to defeat Rafael Lovato, Tarsis Humphres, and Flavio Almeida that day, winning the tournament. Okami lost a close unanimous decision to former UFC middleweight champion Rich Franklin at UFC 72.

His next fight was on October 20, 2007 against Jason MacDonald at UFC 77, where he won by unanimous decision. Okami then rebounded with win in his last fight against former UFC middleweight champion Evan Tanner at UFC 82 on March 1, 2008 by KO. Okami was set to fight current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva for the second time, this time for the UFC middleweight championship at UFC 90 but was forced to drop out of the bout due to a broken hand. Patrick Côté was chosen to replace Okami. Okami defeated former ADCC absolute division champion Dean Lister on December 27, 2008 at UFC 92 via unanimous decision. Notable Wins: Anderson Silva, Mike Swick, Evan Tanner

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