UFC Japan brings Brazilian duel and debut of kickboxing legend

Y. Okami (right) returns against OSP (left) Photo: Reproduction Twitter UFC

Home to some of the biggest events in MMA history at the time of Pride, the Saitama Super Arena, in Japan, hosts UFC Japan: St. Preux x Okami this Friday (22). Although the main fight is between the Haitian light heavyweight and the former Japanese middleweight title challenger, the highlights are in other parts of the event: the Brazilians Claudia gadelha and Jessica Andrade could define the next challenger for the strawweight champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk in the co-main event.

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In addition to the Brazilian fight, UFC Japan will also promote the debut of Gokhan Saki, one of the greatest kickboxing fighters today. K-1 champion in 2008 and former owner of the Glory belt, the Turkish-Dutch will be welcomed to Ultimate by Brazilian Luiz Henrique Frankenstein, who is coming off three defeats in the last eight months, including a knockout suffered by Ion cutelaba just 22 seconds into the fight in June.

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In addition to Gadelha, Andrade and Frankenstein, UFC Japan will have another Brazilian in action: Jussier formiga tries to contain the momentum of the dangerous Ulka Sasaki, looking for a chance at the flyweight belt, currently in possession of Demetrious Johnson.

Chance to start over

Okami (left) and OSP (right); fresh start for Japanese Photo: Reproduction Twitter ufc_brasil

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In 2011, Yushin Okami reached the peak of his career, when he had the chance to win Anderson Silva at the UFC debut in Rio de Janeiro. Despite ending up knocked out, the Japanese still remained relevant for a while longer before being fired. However, with the injury to Mauricio Shogun, he was called to face Ovince St Preux in the main fight of UFC Japan and, most importantly, restart his journey in Ultimate.

After leaving the UFC, Okami signed with WSOF and started well, beating Svetlozar Savov. However, the Japanese lost to David Branch, then middleweight champion, and was later defeated by Jon Fitch, when he ventured into the welterweight division. Since then, however, there have been four consecutive victories for “Thunder”, who regardless of the result of the fight with OSP, will have a new opportunity in Ultimate.

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Brazilian women in action

J. Andrade and C. Gadelha face each other (Facebook UFC Reproduction)

In the co-main fight, the two best strawweights without the belt will face each other with an eye on the category title. The Brazilian Claudia gadelha and Jessica Andrade were very respectful towards each other during fight week, greeting each other and smiling for photos. When the octagon door closes, however, the two will look for another chance against the champion Joanna Jedrzejczyk, who has already beaten Gadelha twice (once for the title) and is coming off a victory over Andrade.

With more technical jiu-jitsu and refined striking, Gadelha hopes to contain the momentum of Jessica, who also likes to invest in submissions and has heavier hands. The two even exchanged barbs in the press, with Claudinha saying that her opponent was very rude and Bate-Estaca arguing that “rudeness would win over technique”. UFC Japan will clear all doubts.

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Other Brazilians

Frankenstein (left) catches Saki (right) Photo: Reproduction Facebook UFC)

Luiz Henrique da Silva, Frankenstein, had a dream start in the UFC. He knocked out Jonathan Wilson and submitted Joachim Christensen, taking his previously unblemished professional record to 12-0. However, eight months later, the Brazilian has a rope around his neck: there have been three consecutive defeats. To complicate matters further, Frankenstein welcomes kickboxing legend Gokhan Saki.

Champion of Glory and K-1, perhaps the sport's two biggest tournaments, the Turkish-Dutch returns to MMA, this time with full focus on improving his game. He only has one MMA fight on his record, with a defeat to James Zikic, in 2004. This time, however, he promises to dedicate himself to the sport, starting with a victory over the Brazilian.

Another duel involving Brazilians pits Ulka Sasaki against one of the best flyweights in the world, Jussir Formiga. Representative of Kimura Nova União, Jussier is still eyeing a chance at the Demetrious Johnson and he needs to beat the dangerous Sasaki, who is coming off a submission victory over Justin Scoggins.