Yushin Okami signs with World Series of Fighting

And just like that, Yushin Okami has found a new home.

The former UFC middleweight title contender has signed an exclusive, multi-fight deal with World Series of Fighting, the promotion's president Ray Sefo and executive vice president Ali Abdel-Aziz confirmed with MMAFighting.com.

Okami will make his WSOF debut "around March" 2014, however, a specific date and opponent hasn't been finalized. "Thunder" will compete in the organization's middleweight division.

Okami (29-8) was released from the UFC last month following his first-round TKO loss to Ronaldo "Jacare" Souza. Prior to that loss, he had won his last three fights in a row. The 32-year-old made his Octagon debut at UFC 62 in Aug. 2006 and went 13-5 in the organization. The last time the Japanese-born fighter competed outside the UFC was over seven years ago.

World Series of Fighting's next event is scheduled for Oct. 26 in Coral Gables, Fla., and it will be headlined by Josh Burkman vs. Steve Carl for the promotion's inaugural welterweight title.

http://www.mmafighting.com/2013/10/13/4835236/yushin-okami-signs-with-world-series-of-fighting

Nice! Okami was going to be a great catch where ever he went. WSOF's roster is really becoming something in such a short time.

Hahah I read on tumblr someone compare WSOF with the red cross of MMA  

Smart of WSOF to take in Okami, I'm personally finally starting to see the light with this organization.

Very good pickup for WSOF. He should fight tournament winner for the MW belt as his first fight.

CDF47 wrote:Very good pickup for WSOF.  He should fight tournament winner for the MW belt as his first fight.

I think he should have to have at least one fight first to prove himself, I mean look what happened to Fitch in his first fight outside of the UFC. If WSOF is looking to legitimize then they shouldn't give title shots to fighters coming off losses just because they were in the UFC beforehand.

AudaxSmoke wrote:

CDF47 wrote:Very good pickup for WSOF.  He should fight tournament winner for the MW belt as his first fight.

I think he should have to have at least one fight first to prove himself, I mean look what happened to Fitch in his first fight outside of the UFC. If WSOF is looking to legitimize then they shouldn't give title shots to fighters coming off losses just because they were in the UFC beforehand.

i agree, and wsof will not hand him an inmediate title fight!

mutapcic vs taylor goes down in december, so is impossible that the winner faces branch in january wsof 8.

most likely okami fights in march and its not sure that the wsof title fight will happen by then/

wsof second canadian event is rumored to happen in montreal in 2014 march possibly so is

possible okami fights there, possibly a canadian veteran like joe doerksen fights him?

Still don't quite understand okami getting cut.

I hope to see him becoming a stepping stone for upcoming talents.