The contest was, in many ways, exactly what we have come to expect from Silva. The champion spent the first few minutes sizing Okami up before beginning his assault. The Spider ended round 1 with a fury, including a nice head kick. In round 2, he used the same hands down, quick jab that he used to KO Forrest Griffin back at UFC 101 for a knockdown, then knocked Okami down again, jumping on him for the stoppage. The only time Okami seemed to have any marginal success was during a battle for clinch control against the cage in round 1.
What was the high spot of this fight?
The most dramatic moment of the fight to me came early in round 2, when at one point Silva, very slowly and deliberately, cocked his arm back and made a fist. At that point, you knew it was just a matter of time.
Where do these guys go from here?
Silva once again needs a challenge as he has little left to prove. At Middleweight, the next title challenger is likely to be the winner of Brian Stann vs. Chael Sonnen at UFC 136. But just after the fight, the official UFC twitter mentioned the possibility of Silva moving back up to 205 again, where there are a world of options. And of course, there's always Georges St. Pierre.
Okami crashed back down the ranks, likely to a pretty low profile spot. He didn't impress, and he's never been a dynamic fighter. I could see him against someone like Dan Miller next.
Watch it now, later, or never?
Now. There is just no excuse not to watch Silva.
More BE coverage of UFC 134 in the full entry.
Shogun Rua Proves He Can Still Be a Champion - Fraser Coffeen
The Biggest Winners and Losers on the Night - Matthew Roth
Anderson Silva Unmatched at Middleweight, Options Slim - Leland Roling
FightMetric Recap for Anderson Silva, Edson Barboza vs. Ross Pearson - Mike Fagan
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira's Greatest Hits - Brent Brookhouse
Post-Fight Recap and Analysis - Mike Fagan
Anderson Silva vs. Yushin Okami Fight Video Highlights - ESPN
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira vs. Brendan Schaub Fight Video Highlights - ESPN
Bad Boy Presents Bloody Elbow Radio - UFC 134
Anderson Silva Wins Over Rio with Stoppage of Yushin Okami - Matthew Roth
Anderson Silva's Brilliance and Other Post-Hangover Thoughts - Brent Brookhouse
Mauricio Rua Stops Forrest Griffin in Two Minutes - Matthew Roth
Edson Barboza Wins a Split Decision over Ross Pearson - Matthew Roth
Antonio Rodrigo Nogueira With a Stunning Knockout of Brendan Schaub - Matthew Roth
UFC 134 Post-Fight Press Conference Updates - Tim Burke
Stanislav Nedkov Silences Brazilian Crowd with Knockout of Luis Cane - Matthew Roth
Thiago Tavares Ground and Pounds Spencer Fisher to a Second Round Stoppage - Matthew Roth
Rousimar Palhares Wins a Decision in a Strange But Great Fight With Dan Miller - Tim Burke
Paulo Thiago Takes a Dominant Decision Victory Over David Mitchell - Tim Burke
Raphael Assuncao Outworks Johnny Eduardo to Decision - Matthew Roth
Erick Silva Puts Luis Ramos to Sleep with a Massive Right - Matthew Roth
Yuri Alcantara Grapples Felipe Arantes to a Decision - Matthew Roth
Yves Jabouin Works Ian Loveland to a Split Decision - Matthew Roth