Get ready. Three days and counting to UFC122: Marquardt versus Okami in Germany. The main card is packed with potential.
•Nate Marquardt vs Yushin Okami
Major fight for the both fighters. Whoever wins this will be in line for a championship fight in the New Year (if Silva’s ribs ever heal). Nate is 4 – 1 in his last five fights while Okami holds the same record. Interestingly, both have lost to the same fighter, Sonnen.
I see this fight as a clash of wills.
Can Okami grind out another decision win or can Nate push the pace and catch Okami against the cage and pull him to the mat? I see this one going to a decision with Nate ahead on points at the bell but think this fight could go either way.
• Jorge Rivera vs Alessio Sakara
Rivera and Sakara isn’t going to last. Ever since Sakara dropped in weight classes he’s been scary. However, Rivera’s last three have been wins are via KO leaving both fighters with a record of 4 -1 from the last five, so don’t write him off.
I like Sakara here as he seems crisper in his stand-up and has a very decent left hand. Rivera also doesn’t have the footwork or head movement to avoid the combination punches. I believe this will all happen in the first round, with Sakara coming away the winner.
• Dennis Siver vs Andre Winner
The only fight of the main card at 155lbs is against two fighters that haven’t broken into the top league. Siver won a tough fighter against Fisher back in June so we know he is game and to be honest I don’t know much about Winner. He’s fought a few times in the UFC but doesn’t have the best record 3 – 2 from his last five.
With the WEC/UFC merge happening I see the loser of this fight getting their papers handed to them. Sorry Winner but you should call Bellator now.
• Amir Sadollah vs Peter Sobotta
Hate to say it, but what I just wrote about the previous fight could be said about this one.
Sadollah is a major step up in competition for Sobotta and I just don’t see him cutting the mustard. Sure Sobotta has his moments and his wins are from either KOs or submissions but I don’t see Sadollah getting caught, he’s slick in the the clinch and his stand up.
With Sobatta’s last two fights recorded as losses I see him with Strikeforce next year after getting caught in the second round with punches or knees.
• Krzysztof Soszynski vs Goran Reljic
This is the fight I’m looking forward to watching the most. Soszynski just lost to Bonnar (in their rematch from Sydney) and Reljic is coming off two straight losses at a lower weight class (why he went down I’m not sure) so both fighters are going to be playing for keeps.
Goran has an awesome left leg and if Soszynski gives him enough room to throw any leg kicks Soszynski could be in for a long night. I see Goran hammering Soszynski’s legs in the first round to try and limit the wrestling shot and if Goran is successful he’ll pick Soszynski apart.
That said, Soszynski has been around. He’s got 24 wins over some decent opponents that date back to 2003.
For my money though, Goran in the second round by TKO.
Either way, what are your picks?
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