There are two ways to interpret the UFC’s message to Evan Tanner by matching him up against Yushin Okami in his first fight since April 2006:
-
Help us hype this kid
-
Bring the title back to America
Okami was a near-fight-ending kimura away from getting a title shot in his fight with Rich Franklin at EVENT. He has walked through everyone else, using his superior size to ground and pound.
Okami’s size and strength, however, shouldn’t be a problem for the one-time heavyweight-champion, Evan Tanner. (He defeated Heath Herring at USWF 7.) Tanner’s frame and state-wrestling-champ pedigree suggest he will be able to stuff any take-down attempt the young Japanese fighter attempts.
The same can be said for Okami. Tanner’s size and wrestling skills most likely score him a take-down against Okami. Okami has shown excellent take-down defense, especially in his fight with Jake Shields (which he somehow lost in a unanimous decision).
Evan Tanner has an impressive submission game, winning two of his last three UFC victories via triangle choke. Okami, on the other hand, has shown an equally impressive submission defense game, taking on several submission artists, and escaping submission-free.
Both have shown themselves to have solid stand-up, as well. But, both have shown that they are capable of being overwhelmed by superior stand-up. Evan Tanner was bruised and bloodied in both of his fights with Rich Franklin. Yushin Okami retreated from the overhand right of Amar Soluev and looked completely lost in his fight against Anderson Silva in ROTR.
When you match their vulnerability on the feet with two very solid take-down defense games, and off-setting submission skill-sets, you get a stand-up war. I fully expect both fighters to try to rekindle some not-so-fond memories of the other with punishing striking.
Okami will have to prove to be a proficient striker if he wants to win. The advantage goes to Evan Tanner, who’s awkward stand-up should make Okami uncomfortable. Okami will have to use his reach to keep Tanner at bay and hope to set up a successful take-down attempt.
The biggest factor in this fight may prove to be whether or not Tanner is rusty. Okami, who fought three times in 2007, should still be fresh for this fight. Tanner, however, hasn’t fought in almost two years, and got himself out of shape hitting the bottle.
Let’s hope he shakes that off, for the sake of a quality fight, which this should be.
Leave a comment