With UFC 134 nearly upon us, Long Island Fights caught up with a few the area's top professional MMA fighters to get their thoughts on how things might unfold between middleweight boss Anderson Silva and middleweight bridesmaid Yushin Okami. Their analysis may surprise you -- if you think Okami is the better fighter. Here's what they had to say:
Chris Weidman (UFC middleweight): "I think Anderson Silva is pretty much going to dominate the fight. It's the first time he's fighting in front of his home country [with the UFC]. I think it's like a dream come true for him and he's going to rise to the occasion. Yushin Okami's a great fighter, but Anderson Silva's on another level as an athlete. Basically, it's going to be Anderson Silva picking him apart. Okami's got a good jab and is going to set up his takedowns with his jab, but I think Okami's a little too slow to really get the takedown. Chael Sonnen was able to run right in there and get a takedown; he didn't give a crap. Okami's a little safer as a fighter. I think Anderson Silva ends up getting the knockout."
Costas Philippou (UFC middleweight): “I wanna say Silva by KO. His striking is way better. He just got unlucky last time.”
Eddie “Truck” Gordon (Ring of Combat heavyweight): “I think Silva wins this fight. He is the best fighter in the world right now, but you never know. Okami has the ability to pull off the upset. If I was a betting man, my money is on The Spider, but that’s why they fight with 4 oz. gloves: You never know until it’s all over.”
Al Iaquinta (Ring of Combat lightweight): "My money is on Anderson Silva. I don’t see how you could bet against him at this point. The only way I see Okami winning is staying in Silva’s face, standing and working his takedown using his strength on the ground as Chael Sonnen did."
Dennis Bermudez (TUF 14 featherweight): "Yeah, I'm with Al on this one. Silva is too elusive and complex for Okami. I can't see it going in any other direction than to Silva."
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