UFC 122 Preview and Prediction: Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami

In the wake of positive tests, schedules re-arranged, and new challengers tapped, the middleweight division finally seems to be calming down.

Following Chael Sonnen's positive test announced last month in the wake of his near victory over champion Anderson Silva, Vitor Belfort has been tapped to step up as Silva's next challenger, tentatively scheduled for UFC 125.

To determine the rest of the field, top contenders Yushin Okami and Nate Marquardt will square off at UFC 122 from the Konig Pilsener Arena, in Oberhausen, Germany. The bout, set to go down on November 13, will determine the next man to step up to challenge the middleweight kingpin.

Betting fans know that Marquardt-Okami is a tough fight to call, but Okami's recent change in training might make the difference. Following his loss to Sonnen, Okami spent some time living in Oregon and training with top middleweight Chael Sonnen and Team Quest, hoping to shore up deficiencies in his wrestling game. Okami may have added the skills and confidence needed to get this win.

Meanwhile, Marquardt will have to use solid defensive wrestling, and turn this into a striking battle if he hopes to find success. If he can keep distance between himself and Okami, avoid the clinch game and use his striking, he has a much better chance of winning this. Still, Okami's wrestling will be too much for the Team Jackson product, and he is a smart bet to out work Nate Marquardt enroute to a decision. Yushin Okami will prove to be the next man worthy to step up and challenge for Anderson Silva's middleweight crown.