Roundtables
ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, which fighter would have a better chance at becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion? Hansen, Lee, Hyden, Hobaugh and Perez
Nov 9, 2010 - 10:10:39 PM ROUNDTABLE (pt. 1 of 2): Between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami, which fighter would have a better chance at becoming the UFC Middleweight Champion? Hansen, Lee, Hyden, Hobaugh and Perez

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The winner of Saturday's UFC 122 main event between Nate Marquardt and Yushin Okami will receive the next shot at the Middleweight Championship.  Which of the two would have a better chance at capturing the title?

RICH HANSEN, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

On our Tuesday night Livecast, Matt Pelkey stated with zero hesitation that Anthony Pettis will be the UFC Lightweight Champion after his next two fights.  While this won't be as bold, I will state without any equivocation that two fights from now, Nate Marquardt will be the UFC Middleweight Champion.

ERIC LEE, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

Nate Marquardt is definitely the real contender in this match up. Anderson Silva has said that he thinks Nate could be the next champ. He is a more well-rounded fighter than Okami and definitely posses the size advantage against pretty much anyone in the middleweight division. Okami's style is too passive and would probably lead to another boring five round fight that Anderson would win via decision. If Nate can get past Okami's wrestling then he absolutely has a real chance against Silva.

FRANK HYDEN, MMATORCH CONTRIBUTOR

I think Marquardt would have a slightly better chance of winning the title. I think Marquardt's game is just a bit more sound. I think he'd match up better against either Anderson Silva or Vitor Belfort. Okami is a really good fighter, but I think Marquardt has a small edge here.

ERIC HOBAUGH, MMATORCH SPECIALIST

I'm going with Okami, but only because he has not had the opportunity to fight Anderson yet in the UFC.  Marquardt was out struck, out grappled and overpowered by Silva.  If I am being honest neither of these fighters have better than a puncher's chance against the reigning champ.  Chael Sonnen proved Anderson is human, but only against a world class wrestler who brought the fight to him.  Neither Okami or Marquadt have the skills to bring the same kind of fight to Silva. Silva wins against either fighter easily.

ANWAR PEREZ, MMATORCH COLUMNIST

I would have to say that Nate Marquardt has the best chance between himself and Yushin Okami in being successful against Anderson Silva.  Marquardt had the most recent fight against Silva, and knows from a template that Chael Sonnen set up against Silva in August, what kind of fight to bring to the champ.  The difference being that Marquardt, more so than Okami - or Sonnen before him - has the tools to finish Silva off, something that Sonnen couldn't do and paid the price for not doing.