UFC 84 Preview: Kazuhiro Nakamura vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou

Kazuhiro Nakamura (11-7, 0-1 UFC) vs. Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou (4-2, 0-1 UFC)

This fight pairs up two fighter that have both loss to Lyoto Machida. While Nakamura was a PRIDE veteran he was never the cream of the crop losing to Antonio Roderio Noguiera, Wanderlei Silva, Mauricio ‘Shogun’ Rua, Dan Henderson and Josh Barnett.
Sokoudjou received a lot of hype pre-Machida fight due to his KO victories over Antonio Roderio Noguiera as well as Ricardo Arona.

Sokoudjou and Nakamura are both Judo fighters so it will be interesting to see if athleticism and youth trumps experience in this fight. It would be wise for the UFC to build Sokoudjou into their next big young star at 205 and it appears that’s their plan by moving to the undercard and giving him Nakamura to fight. But Sokoudjou still has to win and considering how timid he looked in the Octagon last time this fight is far from a sure thing.

But seriously who doesn’t want to cheer for a guy who comes out wearing a predator mask. Our pick Sokoudjou by KO in second round.