A former UFC title challenger, Yushin Okami was long one of the best in the middleweight division.
However, the Japanese standout has recently fallen on hard times under the World Series of Fighting banner. In November, Okami suffered a shocking loss to Dave Branch, resulting in a low point in his MMA career.
Looking to turn things around, Okami has decided to make a move to the welterweight division, which houses some of the biggest names on the WSOF roster. WSOF matchmaker Ali Abdelaziz announced the veteran’s choice on MMA Junkie Radio.
Given that Okami was by no means considered a small middleweight, the move is somewhat surprising, especially this late in the 34-year-old’s career. However, Okami never did miss weight during his UFC career, so I won’t question his ability to hit 170 pounds until he gives us reason to do so.
What I will question is Okami’s options for opponents in his new weight class.
WSOF welterweight champion Rousimar Palhares is currently set to meet Jake Shields, whom Okami lost to early on in his MMA career and would probably like another shot at now that they would again be in the same division. Outside those two individuals, Jon Fitch is certainly the next most well-known competitor on the WSOF 170-pound roster.
So, it seems very likely that Okami will meet a fellow former UFC title challenger in his welterweight debut. With WSOF short on sellable names, it only makes sense to have them paired up against one another when opportunity knocks.
A matchup between Okami and Fitch might not get MMA fans to drop everything to watch. However, it would be an intriguing grappling match that should bring some much-needed attention to the promotion.
With a loss to Palhares in his most recent outing, Fitch would probably need a Shields win in order to earn another WSOF title shot anytime soon. However, being a noteworthy fresh face in the welterweight division, Okami has a chance to earn a title shot with one win against an opponent like Fitch.
No matter who wins the upcoming title fight between Palhares and Shields, Okami would be an intriguing challenger.
He was scheduled to meet Palhares in a middleweight bout at UFC 150, but Toquinho pulled out due to a knee injury, which is ironic in hindsight given his history with holding heel hooks too long. Palhares ended up competing in the UFC only two more times after that before being cut for that very reason.
Although Okami has already lost to Shields, many years have passed since they met at Rumble on the Rock. With both fighters having come a long way since then and seeing how that original fight ended in a close decision, I don’t think either would object to a second clash for the WSOF belt.
Either way, Okami’s path toward WSOF gold in the welterweight division seems clear. He needs a win over a big name, and Fitch seems to be the only one around.
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