Marquardt Replaces Belfort, Faces Okami In UFC 122 Headliner

UFC middleweight Yushin Okami
Nate Marquardt has replaced Vitor Belfort and will meet Yushin Okami in the headlining bout of November’s UFC 122 event in Germany.

The change was first reported by MMAWeekly.com.

UFC 122 takes place Nov. 13 at Konig Pilsener Arena in Oberhausen, Germany. It will air on tape delay in the United States on Spike TV.

The original Belfort vs. Okami match was scheduled as a title eliminator fight, with the winner receiving the next shot at champ Anderson Silva’s middleweight belt. Belfort is instead expected to face Anderson Silva in early 2011.

Marquardt defeated Rousimar Palhares by TKO in the first round at UFC Fight Night 22 last week. The win put his record at 5-2 since losing his first middleweight title opportunity to Silva in July 2007. After the victory, Marquardt told Heavy.com that he was ready for more championship-caliber opportunities, and it appears that he’ll get just that when he steps in the cage with Yushin Okami.