UFC 122- Germany 2 Preview

UFC 122, the UFC's second venture into Germany, will air via tape delay on Spike TV. The main event featuring Yushin Okami fighting Nate Marquardt will play out at Konig Pilsener Arena which seats about 13,000 people.

Yushin Okami has stayed in the United States to train for his upcoming bout with Team Quest, home of top wrestlers Chael Sonnen and Matt Lindland. Marquardt has stuck with his Colorado based training under Trevor Wittman TKO's and Team Jackson.

(Okami punching Rory Singer)

I expect Marquardt, a former King of Pancrase to be the aggressor, looking for takedowns and power punches. Okami will look to clinch and shucking off takedowns while looking to dirty box. Marquardt will look to use his black belt BJJ skills on the mat mixing in devastating ground and pound.

(Marquardt throwing a knee)

Okami has career victories over Mark Muñoz, Jason MacDonald and Evan Tanner. Nate Marquardt has TKO's in the UFC over Demian Maia, Rousimar Palhares and Martin Kampmann.

Jorge Rivera will fight Alessio Sakara in the co-main event. Both fighters are riding three fight win streaks hoping for a #1 contender match in the middleweight division. With each fighter having devastating boxing, expect this fight to play out on the feet. This fight shouldn't go the distance.


MAIN CARD

Nate Marquardt v Yushin Okami
Jorge Rivera v Alessio Sakara
Dennis Siver v Andre Winner
Amir Sadollah v Peter Sobotta
Krzysztof Soszynski v Goran Reljic

PRELIM CARD

Rob Kimmons v Kyle Noke
Alexandre Ferreira v Vladdy Matyushenko
Pascal Krauss v Mark Scanlon
Duane "Bang" Ludwig v Nick Osipczak
Seth Petruzelli v Karlos Vemola
Kris McCray vs. Carlos Eduardo Rocha

Fight Night 21 - Big Country

Ultimate Fight Night 21 brought some bigtime action in its two hour run-time. Roy "Big Country" Nelson firmly entrenched himself in the title picture with a big time knock out over Stefan Struve. Kenny Florian took a giant leap back into the lightweight title picture by submitting Pride legend Takanori Gomi.

Kenny Florian def Takanori Gomi via sub (RNC) R1, 2:52- Florian looked crisp with his jab and boxing throughout the fight. Gomi routinely was outclassed, not being able to get his counter hook going.

In the third round, Florian got the fight to the ground, landed in mount, and got the rear naked choke for the victory. Florian may get a fight next with Gray Maynard, Jim Miller, Tyson Griffin or George Sotiropoulos to get closer to a rematch with BJ Penn.
*Florian wins submission of the night bonus

Roy Nelson def Stefan Struve via KO (strikes) R1, 0:39- Roy Nelson was throwing overhand rights from the start, landing a big one off of a Struve jab. Nelson's last punch landed flush, crumpling the 6'10 fighter to the canvas. Expect Nelson to get Cheick Kongo, Cro Cop, Pat Barry or a rematch with Ben Rothwell.
*Nelson wins KO of the night bonus

Jorge Rivera def Nate Quarry via TKO (strikes) R2, 0:29- Jorge was able to work his right hand throughout the fight, smashing Quarry routinely in the chin. Quarry was content to throw leg kicks, but they didn't help. After being wobbled numerous times in the first, Rivera crumpled Quarry again in the second.

Ross Pearson def Dennis Siver via unanimous dec- In an entertaining bout that featured ample kickboxing, Ross Pearson was able to connect on more punches throughout the bout. Siver looked to be the more sloppy fighter, but did land one trademark spinning back kick during the bout. In the third, Ross sealed the win with a takedown.
*Pearson and Siver win fight of the night bonuses

Gleison Tibau def Caol Uno via TKO (punches) R1, 4:13- Gleison dominated the entire fight from start to finish with his power punching. Uno looked to stay low and stick and move, but he was unable to avoid Tibau strikes.

UNDERCARD

Andre Winner def Rafaello Oliveira via unanimous dec
Jacob Volkmann def Ronys Torres via split dec
Nik Lentz def Rob Emerson via unanimous dec
Yushin Okami def Lucio Linhares via TKO (stoppage) R2, 2:47
Gerald Harris def Mario Miranda via TKO (punches) R1, 4:49
Charlie Brenneman def Jason High via unanimous dec