Gameplan
Filipino-American Mark Munoz will attempt to stake his claim as one of the elite fighters in Mixed Martial Arts when the Vallejo-native goes up against Yushin Okami this weekend at the San Diego Sports Arena.
The middleweight division battle, which will be the co-main event fight for the August 1, UFC on Versus 2 card, pits an up-and-comer in Munoz (8-1) versus Okami (24-5), an established veteran from Japan.
As with most combat sports, styles make fights, so the clash between the two 185-pounders with differing strengths should be nothing short of an intriguing match-up.
Munoz, a former NCAA Division 1 wrestling champion at Oklahoma State, employs a devastating ground-and-pound game, while Okami will look to capitalize on his vastly improved striking ability.
Munoz, nicknamed the “Filipino Wrecking Machine,” is undefeated in his three fights since moving down to middleweight.
His most recent victory, a tightly contested fight over Kendall Grove that resulted in a second round stoppage, took place in Abu Dhabi on April 10, 2010.
A large contingent of Overseas Filipino Professionals attended the event, and cheered on their “Kababayan” to a come-from-behind victory.
UFC head honcho Dana White has gone on record saying that if Munoz were to pull off the upset on Sunday he would then get a shot at the middleweight title.
Ironically, the division’s title-holder happens to be Anderson Silva, who is not only a close friend, but also one of Munoz’s training partners.
In January 2006, while fighting at 175-pounds under the Cage Rage Promotion, Silva lost to Okami through disqualification because of an illegal strike to the head (of a downed opponent).
Munoz, who was inducted into the California State Wrestling Hall of Fame in May, believes that Silva’s experience with his future opponent will be the difference maker.
“I’m really good friends with Anderson Silva and one of his main training partners as well,” said Munoz. “It’s like a brotherhood. We both help each other out with our fights and especially for our upcoming fights against Chael [Sonnen] and [Yushin] Okami. Anderson actually told me that after sparring with me, and after fighting Okami, Yushin has nothing for me. He knows what Okami has, so we’ve been working really hard to understand how he moves and how to counter back. He’s got a lot of great stuff that he’s showing me.”
True to his Filipino roots, Munoz is considered by many to be one of the hardest working fighters going right now in the UFC.
But will his strong work ethic, coupled with the advice from Silva, be enough for Munoz to defeat his formidable opponent?
The 32-year-old Munoz is vulnerable on his feet, so his goal is to get Okami on the ground without absorbing too many strikes to the face.
If Munoz is able to force Okami on his back, then at that point it could be light’s out. (NvW)
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