Yushin Okami

Yushin Okami is a Japanese mixed martial arts stalwart who has competed professionally since 2002, earning the nickname 'Thunder' and a reputation as one of Japan's greatest combat athletes. After building a strong record across PRIDE, Pancrase, and other promotions, Okami entered the UFC in 2006 and climbed the middleweight ladder through a series of dominant decision victories over established competition. His peak came in 2010-2011, when consecutive wins over Nate Marquardt and Mark Muñoz earned him a shot at undisputed middleweight champion Anderson Silva at UFC 134 in Brazil. Though he fell short in that title fight, losing to a devastating TKO in the second round, Okami's run to contention underscored his status as a top-tier technical wrestler and decision fighter.

Okami's fighting style centers on octagon control, grappling prowess, and cardio. He excels at stuffing takedowns from elite wrestlers, dictating the pace of fights, and accumulating points over three rounds through superior positioning and striking from distance. His wins came largely via unanimous decision, reflecting a methodical approach rather than spectacular finishes, though he remains capable of knockouts and submissions when the moment presents itself, as evidenced by his knockout of Evan Tanner and submission victories early in his UFC tenure.

After his UFC release in 2013, Okami continued to ply his trade across multiple promotions, demonstrating remarkable longevity and staying competitive well into his 40s. Chael Sonnen, who defeated Okami at UFC 104, later praised him publicly for his sportsmanship and work ethic, training with him at Team Quest and calling him 'the one fighter whom I never want to fight again.' That mutual respect captures Okami's appeal: a cerebral, well-rounded fighter whose commitment to improvement and graciousness in defeat embodies the classic virtues of mixed martial arts. For fans who value technical grappling, smart fighting, and longevity over raw power, Okami represents the gold standard of a thinking man's middleweight.