A few years ago, John Fitch and Yushin Okami were among the best MMA fighters in the world. That time has long since passed, but the UFC veterans are out to prove they’ve still got plenty left in the tank. The former UFC title challengers will square off in the headlining bout of World Series of Fighting 24 this week on NBC Sports, and they could start a run at a world title in MMA’s third-biggest promotion.
CURRENT ODDS
Check our MMA odds for the latest lines on WSOF 24, and expect Okami to be the favorite. The one-time middleweight contender will be making his debut in a lighter weight class, and enters the fight as the younger, bigger fighter. In this five-round main event fight, the total on rounds is likely to be set at 4.5 rounds, with the over being the far more expensive play in a battle of known grinders. Prop bets are usually released on the morning of fight night, with live betting available after each fight starts.
BIG NAMES, BORING FIGHT?
The one thing this fight has going for it is that these are two of the most recognizable names in the WSOF promotion. However, Fitch and Okami are two of the most famously boring fighters in recent memory. Both men are known for a grinding, grapple-heavy fight style based on control and positioning.
However, in the smaller pond of the WSOF, they’re two legit threats to the 170-pound title. Former champion/professional headcase Rousimar Palhares was recently stripped of his title after yet another run-in with the commission for dirty tactics, meaning this division is wide open.
Fitch is 2-2 in the WSOF, with a loss in his debut to Josh Burkman and a defeat to Palhares in his most recent fight. He’s still the same fighter he used to be - a guy who drags fights to the ground and keeps them there - but he’s now 37 years old.
Okami hasn’t fared much better since being cut from the UFC in 2013. He made successful debut, submitting Svetlozar Savov in Marc 2014, but was upset by David Brand at WSOF in his most recent outing. The loss prompted Okami to drop to welterweight, and he gets a stern test right away in Fitch.
With both fighters coming off losses, fading into irrelevance is a very real threat with another defeat. While their names still has some recognition value, that only goes so far - especially for two guys that have always had trouble gaining fans.
FIGHT ANALYSIS AND PREDICTION
Fitch applies constant pressure to wear down opponents, prompting clinches in order to drag fights to the crowd. It’s not crowd-pleasing by any means, but is very effective. Once his opponent gets tired, Fitch opens up with a steady stream of ground-and-pound to pull away from victory. Even after more than a decade of pro fights, his standup game is bare bones at best.
Okami is an extremely conservative fighter, and that especially shows in his standup. He’s got a decent jab, but he uses it more to initiate a clinch. From there, the Japanese fighter plants his head on the chest of his opponents and tires them out with knees and dirty boxing. He’s always been a very good wrestler, and his suffocating top game remains his bread and butter.
Because both men are similar fighters, I think this fight comes down to the physical tools each are working with. Okami was big as a middleweight, and at welterweight he’ll be huge. If he carries over his ridiculous strength, he’ll be too much for Fitch to handle. The pick is Okami to win a unanimous decision in a snoozefest.
HOW TO BET
Sign in to get the latest WSOF odds now. BookMaker Sportsbook offers daily updates to money lines, totals, prop bets and more, so make sure to lock in your bets should you find a favorable line. The card takes place on on Saturday, October 17, 2015 at the Foxwoods Resort Casino in Mashantucket, Connecticut. The main card will air on NBCSN starting 8:30 p.m. ET. Don’t miss this opportunity to bet on a free card on national TV!
Don’t forget to check in during fight night to get live odds. During each fight, BookMaker Sportsbook updates their odds in real-time, so you can keep betting as each fight unfolds on live television. It’s a great way to hedge your bets should you fall behind. With our mobile platform, it’s never been easier to bet on UFC events.
