Okami, Linhares Set for Fight Night 21 Bout

A middleweight bout between former top contender Yushin Okami (23-5) and Lucio Linhares (13-5) could take place at UFC Fight Night 21.

That’s according to MMA Junkie, who issued the report on Monday evening. Heavy.com has confirmed with sources close to the UFC that the fight is a possibility for the North Carolina card.

Okami last appeared at UFC 104, where he dropped a major unanimous decision to Chael Sonnen. Plagued by injuries in recent years, Okami was expected to cruise to victory in route to a long-awaited title shot against Anderson Silva. But Sonnen played spoilers, dominating the entire fight and coming away with a victory — and the chance to claim Okami’s title aspirations for himself, should he beat Nate Marquardt in early February.

Linhares made waves during his time in the M-1 Global and Shooto promotions, but lost his UFC debut in December to Rousimar Palhares.

UFC Fight Night 21 takes place March 31 in North Carolina. It will serve as the lead-in for the next season of The Ultimate Fighter.