Options: UFC on Versus 2

Yushin Okami

Option 1: Demian Maia

Okami’s victory over Mark Munoz led UFC president Dana White to conclude that Okami is in line for a UFC middleweight title shot. Former contender Demian Maia just lost his opponent, Alan Belcher, for his September 15 bout. It would be a quick turnaround for Okami made more difficult by the travel requirements associated with living and training in Japan and fighting in the US.

It would be a big sacrifice for Okami to make, but such sacrifices define champions. Win or lose, Okami would certainly put himself into the good graces of White by stepping up and taking the fight against Maia, health permitting. A win over Maia would all but lock up a title shot for Okami, who is the last fighter to earn a victory over current champion Anderson Silva.

Option 2: Chris Leben

Leben should be fighting Wanderlei Silva once Silva is healthy, put apparently that fight will not be happening for the time being. It’s a shame, but it may mean that Leben is on a shorter road to title contention. If anyone deserves it, it’s Leben, whose back-to-back victories in the span of two weeks and three consecutive victories in 2010 make his year among the best in MMA. Okami wouldn’t be the ideal opponent to get the best out of Leben, but where Mark Munoz couldn’t stand toe to toe with Okami, Leben absolutely would. The winner would certainly be in the title mix.