UFC Fight Night: Yushin Okami looking to upset the rankings against Ovince Saint Preux in homeland Japan

UFC welterweight and commentator Dan Hardy looks ahead to this weekend’s event and a battle of light heavyweight giants as the UFC visits Saitama, Japan

OSP poses a notable challenge to the Japanese (Getty)

I arrived in Tokyo a couple of days ago, ahead of this evening’s fight card headlined by top-ten light heavyweight, Ovince Saint Preux (OSP), and Japanese veteran Yushin Okami. Taking the fight on late notice, replacing the great Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Okami will be making his debut in the division, after competing for a number of years at middleweight. He is a wily veteran with an overall record of 34-10, going 13-5 in the UFC, between 2006 and 2013. In that time he secured wins over great fighters like Hector Lombard, Nate Marquardt, Dean Lister, and the late Evan Tanner. I always thought that he was huge for the 185lb middleweight limit, and I think that we may see a more energetic and aggressive Okami, without him having to worry as much about the weigh-in.

Ovince Saint Preux has had some stand-out performances in the Octagon. Most notably his knockout victory over ‘Shogun’ in their first encounter, and his two victories via the rare Von Flue choke: a submission we have only seen in the UFC four times in our history, two of which belong to OSP. He is a physical specimen with great balance and power. His unorthodox and somewhat untidy style causes problems for his opponents, especially in the early rounds as they try to adjust to him. Sometimes during this process they leave themselves open, and OSP can make them pay with that heat-seeking left hand of his. Finding ways through their guard as they rush forwards, and leaving them face-down on the canvas.

Okami has a patient and disciplined style with a solid foundation in the basics of MMA. His Judo black belt acts as a safety net if he finds himself in the clinch, but prefers to box at range, wearing his opponent down until the moment presents itself where he can steal the finish. Facing OSP is an excellent opportunity to upset the rankings and force his way into high level fights. Since his last appearance in the Octagon, back in September of 2013, Okami has moved around weight classes and put a record of 6-2 together, only losing to top ranked UFC middleweight, David Branch, and former welterweight title contender, Jon Fitch.

OSP speaks ahead of his fight with Okami (Getty)

The chance to headline this card in his native Tokyo must be a dream come true for the Japanese stand-out. I’m sure a late notice call-up isn’t ideal, but any smart fighter, especially a UFC veteran, knows the deal with these cards and would be wise to be ready in case of a late withdrawal. Although OSP is a bigger, more powerful athlete, with more current UFC experience, the slick skills and experience of Okami may pay off here. If he can neutralise OSP early, he can start to pick his pace up later in the second round and allow his technical advantage to show through, in spite of his size disadvantage.

I was excited about an OSP versus Shogun rematch, but this is far more interesting and I have always though that Okami was underrated. They will battle for five, five-minute rounds in the famous Saitama Super Arena, topping a card that any UFC fan would be excited about. The co-main is a bout between two former female straw weight challengers. Claudia Gadelha has beaten everyone in her path, only seeing defeat twice at the hands of the world champion, Joanna Jedrzejczyk. Since her opponent, Jessica Andrade, made the move down to straw weight she has gone 3-1 in the division, losing only once to the champion as well.

This should be a real war. They have been friendly face-to-face but Andrade has made comments about Gadelha leaving Brazil to train in the US, and stated that she is coming to beat up another “American girl”. It’s a subtle dig which Claudia will remember when the Octagon door closes, but to pick an obvious winner in this one is very difficult. The power and tenacity of Andrade makes up for a slight deficiency in technique when compared to Gadelha, but could be enough to blast through and take the victory. Gadelha will be supremely confident that she has the edge anywhere the fight goes, but is well aware of the dangers which Andrade brings to the table.

Watch UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami live on BT Sport 2 from 1am BST on the morning of Saturday, September 23 or catch the Early Prelims exclusively live on UFC Fight Pass<https://www.ufc.tv/page/fightpass> from 12.30am BST