UFC 122 Live Blog: Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami Updates

This is the UFC 122 live blog for Nate Marquardt vs. Yushin Okami, the main event of tonight's Spike TV event from the Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany.

Nate Marquardt (30-9-2) defeated Rousimar Palhares at UFC Fight Night 22 in September. Yushin Okami (25-5) won both of his fights in 2010 against Lucio Linhares and Mark Munoz. The winner of this fight will receive a future middleweight title shot.

The live blog is below.

Okami enters to Tomoyasu Hotei's Battle Without Honor Or Humanity from the movie Kill Bill. Marquardt walks into The Who's Eminence Front.

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Round 1: A couple of guillotine attempts from Marquardt ... Okami works from Marquardt's halfguard. Marquardt threatens with a leg lock and the two are back on their feet. Okami with a right-left-right punch and drops levels for the takedown, but Marquardt defends. Okami traps Marquardt's right leg, and goes for a trip. Okami drives in to work for the double and he gets it with 13 seconds left. Okami stays on top for the remainder of the round. 10-9 Okami.

Round 2: Okami shoots and Marquardt stuffs it. Marquardt shoots and grabs a single leg but Okami escapes. Okami with another shot and they clinch. Okami goes for the takedown but Marquardt reverses and Marquardt is the one on top inside of Okami's half-butterfly and half-open guard. They stand up and wrestle. Okami works hard for the takedown but Marquardt defends with a whizzer. Grueling match we have ourselves here. Okami holds for a double-leg and separates. Okami punches and Marquardt slips them. Okami glances with a flying knee but Marquardt lands a punch while stepping away. Okami goes after Marquardt with punches. 10-9 Marquardt.

Round 3: They feel each other out while aware of each other's potential takedown attempts. Marquardt looks to go for the body with single punches. Okami stalks Marquardt who is circling near the cage. Okami tags Marquardt with a jab. Lots of head movement from Marquardt who is able to avoid the majority of Okami's shots. Okami with glancing shots. Not much offense from Marquardt outside of counter punches. Marquardt gets through with 1:40 remaining. Marquardt drops down for the takedown and gets it. Okami works from halfguard and soon after stands back up. They clinch and trade knees to the body. Marquardt pops in a right hand to close the fight. Close round, but Marquardt probably stole it with the takedown.10-9 Marquardt

MMAFighting.com scores the very close fight a 29-28 for Marquardt. The fight can go either way depending on how you want to score the third.

Official Result: Yushin Okami wins via unanimous decision


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