Daniel Cormier and Kenny Florian previewed the upcoming UFC Fight Night: Saint Preux vs. Okami fight. UFC TONIGHT is the official weekly news and information show of the Ultimate Fighting Championship on FS1. Veteran UFC fighter and multiple title contender Kenny Florian, former light heavyweight champion Daniel Cormier and veteran combat sports journalist Karyn Bryant bring you all the news and analysis.
UFC TONIGHT host Daniel Cormier
On Saint Preux’s advantages against Okami: “OSP can finish fights in a number of ways. This is a fight he’s supposed to win. He needs to be athletic. He’s the bigger, stronger guy. Ovince has been in the Octagon with the best in the UFC. He needs go in there and impose his will on Okami to show Okami he doesn’t belong in the Octagon on seven days’ notice. If OSP does engage in the clinch with Okami, Okami needs to use a foot sweep and judo throw to take OSP down. OSP has struggled with guys how take him down over and over again.”
On Okami’s keys to victory: “He’s a big middleweight, so his wrestling will transfer to light heavyweight. He need to use his jab. He’s got a quick jab and is a good boxer. He needs to use his footwork to keep Ovince guessing. Plus, he’s got to find a way to take him down and grind him out from the top. If he’s able to do that, he’ll be welcomed back to the UFC in a big way.”
Cormier picks Saint Preux over Okami: “I don’t believe Okami has had the time to prepare for the big, athletic guy like Saint Preux. I think he’ll get tired carrying around someone the size of OSP.”
UFC TONIGHT host Kenny Florian
On UFC vet Yushin Okami taking a late notice fight against Ovince Saint Preux: “Yushin Okami is not short on experience. He’s also not small. He was a big middleweight. But in this fight, he’ll be the smaller guy. He needs to be faster and get in and out and use his speed against Saint Preux. For OSP, he needs to be better in the clinch. He needs to win with the takedowns. He needs to be careful leaping in so that he doesn’t get countered by that right hook of Okami. But that left hand of Saint Preux has done a lot of damage.”
On Saint Preux’s keys to victory: “He’s a southpaw with a lot of power. His key number one is to stop the takedown. Okami is good on the mats. OSP also needs to manage the distance. He has the longer reach and needs to keep Okami on the outside. And he needs to use his main-event experience. He’s had four fights in the UFC that were five-round fights.”
Florian picks Saint Preux to win in the third round: “I believe Okami is the more technical fighter, but OSP is going to take it. He’ll get a stoppage in the third round.”
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