UFC 82: Evan Tanner vs. Yushin Okami

Former middleweight champion Evan Tanner will return to action against top 185-pound contender Yushin Okami at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” on March 1, 2008, at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.

http://mmamania.com/2007/12/27/ufc-82-evan-tanner-vs-yushin-okami-exclusive/

I gotta think this match has title shot implications.

WOW

I don't think this fight should happen yet though, Evan has had a long lay off and Yushin is STIFF comp for anyone in that div right now...I think Belcher would be a better pick.

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Posted by jae_1833

WOW

I don't think this fight should happen yet though, Evan has had a long lay off and Yushin is STIFF comp for anyone in that div right now...I think Belcher would be a better pick.

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I honestly didnt think they would match him up against a big contender like Okami. I had a feeling he was going to fight somebody like Jason Macdonald AT BEST.

damn i didnt think that they were gonna put evan right in with the top of the division....but i do think it will be a good fight...im taking okami in this one....

Okami

The only reason I said Belcher was because he is rumored to be fighting Ricard Almieda at UFC 81...I'm thinking if it has fallen through then the match up would make sense. MacDonald is a good pick too though, so would Leben. Oh and what if Martin Kampmann was finally better!! Also good picks would be Lutter or Quarry.

I thought Tanner was supposed to be facing an up and coming guy? I know that Okami is good (and Tanner will probably lose), but I would have liked to see him face a young guy (see: Demian Maia).

this fight is gonna be epic i see tanner by rnd 3 tko. man im so excited to see him back hes one of my favorite fighters. ufc 82 looks slick . this has to be for a title shot cause who else would they give it to if not okami or tanner those are ttghe only two who could even plead a case.

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Posted by JuggaloWarrior878

this fight is gonna be epic i see tanner by rnd 3 tko. man im so excited to see him back hes one of my favorite fighters. ufc 82 looks slick . this has to be for a title shot cause who else would they give it to if not okami or tanner those are ttghe only two who could even plead a case.

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rofl @ epic

come on now

great, if okami wins this one he definately gets the next shot, should be a very good fight, tanner is tough as nails and okami is as solid as they come, gotta go with yushin by ud though.

I think it's a good descison, a former champ, coming of a win in the UFC vs a contender coming of a win.

WAR TANNER

i wait and see what hairstyle tanner comes out with, if he has the dreads, i say he's deads...lol.

I'll be rooting for Tanner all the way, but Okami is likely to take this one

i ahould happen for okami he needs this win to get him a title shot tanner needs the win to push him into title contender but even if tanner wins he needs another big fight either against marquadt/leites winner or kampman

man i would love to see tanner pull this one off but it is a tough task. Ill be rooting for him, but will have to check out the lines before i say where my money will be...

Tanner will submitt Okami he's going to come back focused and determined

tanner wins this by tko late 2nd early 3rd round if you match okami's strengths wich is his takedowns and ground and pound with tanners strength's wich is wrestling and ground and pound tanner comes out on top .he is the bigger and stronger fighter and he has the better striking

idk if hes the bigger one ... but i do think he will win ... he will take okami down over and over and because he's rusty wont finish the fight ... unless its by rear naked choke ... i think he can beat silva not so sure about henderson bad match up ...

not saying i would pick him over silva though

should be a good fight.
i am excited about this one!