Boetsch

By FCF Staff

Coming off his failed attempt to unseat UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva in August, Yushin Okami will get to fight in his native country of Japan next, as the middleweight will fight Tim Boetch on February 26th. The promotion announced the addition to the UFC 144 card today, which will be hosted by Saitama’s Super Arena.

Okami (26-6) was stopped in the second round by Silva at UFC 134, which ended the powerful middleweight’s three fight win streak. Heading into the title fight, Okami had defeated Nate Marquardt, Mark Munoz, and Lucio Linhares.

Boetsch (14-4) has impressed since the former light-heavyweight dropped down to compete in the 185lb. division, and has scored back-to-back wins over Kendall Grove and most recently Nick Ring.

Just yesterday, the UFC announced that another of Japan’s more accomplished fighters in Yoshihiro Akiyama, would also compete on the February 26th card. Akiyama is dropping down from the middleweight division and will face highly regarded welterweight Jake Shields.