wrestler_nl
26-01-2008, 18:59
Former middleweight champion Evan Tanner (32-6) will indeed return to fight Yushin Okami (22-4) at UFC 82: “Pride of a Champion” on March 2 at the Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio.
We first passed along news of the match up back in December.
It’s certainly a tough test for Tanner — he hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since defeating Justin Levens via submission (triangle choke) at UFC 59: “Reality Check” back in April 2006.
In addition, Okami has been ripping through his opponents (sans Rich Franklin) en route to a potential title shot opportunity.
This is a great fight on a great fight card. And with this latest report from UFC.com we now have a clearer picture of the proposed line up.
Let’s take a quick look (in no particular order):
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (20-4) vs. Dan Henderson (22-6)
170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez (17-2) vs. David Bielkheden (12-5)*
170 lbs.: Jon Fitch (15-2) vs. Chris Wilson (13-3)*
185 lbs.: Evan Tanner (32-6) vs. Yushin Okami (21-4)
170 lbs.: Josh Koscheck (9-2) vs. Dustin Hazelett (10-3)
Hvywt: Cheick Kongo (11-3-1) vs. Heath Herring (27-13)*
Hvywt.: Andrei Arlovski (11-5) vs. Jake O’Brien (10-0)*
155 lbs.: Jorge Gurgel (11-3) vs. John Halverson (16-5)*
170 lbs.: Luke Cummo (6-4) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (11-3)*
*Fight not yet officially confirmed by UFC.com.
http://www.completemartialarts.com/whoswho/ufc/images/evantanner.jpg
(mmamania.com)
We first passed along news of the match up back in December.
It’s certainly a tough test for Tanner — he hasn’t competed in mixed martial arts since defeating Justin Levens via submission (triangle choke) at UFC 59: “Reality Check” back in April 2006.
In addition, Okami has been ripping through his opponents (sans Rich Franklin) en route to a potential title shot opportunity.
This is a great fight on a great fight card. And with this latest report from UFC.com we now have a clearer picture of the proposed line up.
Let’s take a quick look (in no particular order):
UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva (20-4) vs. Dan Henderson (22-6)
170 lbs.: Diego Sanchez (17-2) vs. David Bielkheden (12-5)*
170 lbs.: Jon Fitch (15-2) vs. Chris Wilson (13-3)*
185 lbs.: Evan Tanner (32-6) vs. Yushin Okami (21-4)
170 lbs.: Josh Koscheck (9-2) vs. Dustin Hazelett (10-3)
Hvywt: Cheick Kongo (11-3-1) vs. Heath Herring (27-13)*
Hvywt.: Andrei Arlovski (11-5) vs. Jake O’Brien (10-0)*
155 lbs.: Jorge Gurgel (11-3) vs. John Halverson (16-5)*
170 lbs.: Luke Cummo (6-4) vs. Luigi Fioravanti (11-3)*
*Fight not yet officially confirmed by UFC.com.
http://www.completemartialarts.com/whoswho/ufc/images/evantanner.jpg
(mmamania.com)