UFC to air UFC 104 Preliminary Bouts, Okami Passed Over Again

by Zak Woods on Oct 13, 2009 10:37 AM EDT

It appears that the UFC was very pleased with the results of broadcasting a portion of their preliminary card on Spike at UFC 103.

Yesterday the UFC sent out a press release stating that two preliminary fights from the 104 fightcard will air on Spike prior to the event's pay-per view broadcast.

Fans will get to see Ryan Bader (9-0) vs. Eric Schafer (11-3-2) and Antoni Hardonk (8-5) vs. Pat Barry (4-1) live on cable television the night of UFC 104.

Yet there is a fight that is noticeably absent, Yushin Okami vs. Chael Sonnen, which is clearly a superior fight then Hardonk vs. Barry.

It makes sense that the UFC would want to promote TUF 8 winner, Ryan Bader, but Antoni Hardonk and Pat Barry being on live television over Yushin Okami and Chael Sonnen doesn't make sense. Unless the UFC is planning on making the Spike televised cards a permanent addition, which would run the risk of damaging the live stadium product. Thus they would want to preserve good fights that must be seen live or on DVD.

Then again the UFC has been going Book of Job on Yushin Okami for some time now so this is probably just the latest plague on their fateful servant.

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YES!

Prelims on spake again, I love it. Okami fight would have been nice but I’m just happy that we gat two more fights.

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by MMAvalor on Oct 13, 2009 10:49 AM EDT reply actions

At one point, I used to be on the “Okami Disrespect” bandwagon….that is until I watched his fight with Lister and decided to do a little research on him and his record.

He has 2 stoppages in 8 UFC fights…..one against the late great Evan Tanner in his first comeback fight after a long and tenuous lay off, and the other against this site’s namesake, Kalib Starnes.

So while he has been relatively successful in the UFC, his only loss came against former MW champ Franklin, he’s been anything but exciting…..which is basically a requirement for undercard fights to get aired on PPV.

For some reason people look to his recent streak and “win” over A. Silva as enough of a reason for a rematch/title shot. But it will never happen, nor will his fights be televised until he starts coming out of the gate, balls to the wall, and starts finishing fights in exciting fashion.

Barry vs. Hardonk should be an exciting standup fight as both have alot of experience in kickboxing matches. The UFC seems see something they like in Barry, hence the televised fight.

by Norm78 on Oct 13, 2009 11:01 AM EDT reply actions