Leandro Ataides vs Yushin Okami set for ONE: Heavy Hitters
Leandro Ataides vs Yushin Okami is taking place on an ever-growing kick-off card for ONE Championship’s 2022 schedule. This middleweight matchup goes down at ONE: Heavy Hitters on January 14th from Singapore Indoor Stadium.
Ataides is a former ONE middleweight world title challenger who has tested skills with some of the division’s top dogs.
The Brazilian bruiser looks to bounce back from his two-fight losing skid to both the current and former middleweight champions.
Ataides has tasted defeat to present reigning ONE middleweight champ Reinier de Ridder. Then he lost to former middleweight kingpin Aung La N Sang in July.
Leandro Ataides has been a promotional stalwart in ONE Championship for years now after transitioning from the Shooto Brasil circuit.
He made his debut in the organization at ONE FC 12 in November 2013. Doing so by finishing Brayan Rafiq via punches in the opening frame.
As Okami looks to transition from welterweight and climb up further in the ONE middleweight hierarchy, Ataides is the type of opponent who can really bolster his resume in that regard.
Leandro Ataides vs Yushin Okami
Yushin Okami is a former UFC middleweight title challenger. He started his run in the ONE Circle going an inauspicious 0-2. Thunder secured his first win under the ONE Championship banner in his previous prizefight.
Okami conquered former ONE welterweight title challenger Agilan Thani via split decision at ONE: Century part 1. This was quite a while ago though as the well-regarded grappler has not plied his trade in a combative competition since October 2019.
Yushin Okami is a seasoned veteran with earlier experiences competing for Pancrase, Pride, Superbrawl, M1, Rumble on the Rock, Deep, and WSOF (now PFL) to name a few.
Okami has scored significant career victories over his fighting endeavors, Names like Anderson Silva, Alan Belcher, Mike Swick, Evan Tanner, Dean Lister, Nate Marquardt, and Hector Lombard to name a few.
What are your thoughts on Leandro Ataides vs Yushin Okami being booked for ONE: Heavy Hitters?
