posted October 23, 2009 at 16:00 EST in UFC / MMA Free Picks
UFC 104 Betting - Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen
by Nick Meyer
If Chael Sonnen and Yushin Okami were flashier fighters, or maybe if they had attitudes like a certain former WWE star in the UFC, there’s no doubt they’d be on the main card of UFC 104 betting event on Saturday.
But both of them are much more concerned with the bottom line, winning, and both of them are quite good at it, which should lead to an entertaining fight for MMA purists this weekend on the undercard.
In fact, from a pure talent standpoint, this doesn’t come close to resembling a typical undercard fight, which is a testament to the growing talent in the UFC ranks.
Okami has battled tons of injuries, but he has been thought of as one of Anderson Silva’s biggest challengers in the middleweight division for many months.
Sonnen is an up-and-coming prospect who has some of the best wrestling in all of the UFC, and that style is something Okami hasn’t seen in a while.
The BetUS Sportsbook oddsmakers have Okami listed as a solid favorite in this one going in at -250 to Sonnen’s +185 in the UFC 104 betting odds.
Unlike predictions regarding main event of Lyoto Machida vs. Shogun Rua, this one seems destined for a decision as both guys are calculated, smart fighters who try to avoid the big mistake.
Sonnen’s physical presence was too much for Dan Miller in a fairly big upset in his last fight, but that won’t be the case with Okami. Many Japanese fighters find themselves at a weight and/or strength disadvantage when they come to the states but Okami is a different breed altogether as one of the strongest middleweights in the UFC.
Sonnen might be able to land some key takedowns in this one but Okami’s clinch game and ability to wear down his opponents standing is going to be just as difficult for Sonnen to deal with in this fight.
That means it should come down to who can win the striking battle, and Okami has a decided advantage in that department. While Okami doesn’t finish fights the way a guy with his strength and power should, he still has shown quality all-around striking skills that seem to be far ahead of what Sonnen has to offer right now.
Okami has had some injury issues in the past but has had almost a year to recover, and with his career at a crossroads, he will come in motivated and hungry to show UFC fans the skills that made him a title contender in the recent past, winning by unanimous decision yet again.
