For his 9-2 record in the UFC, one might think Okami would be a bigger priority in the company. But with seven of those fights going to the judges and a style devoid of gamble, there isn't much besides his record for the promotion to market.

Sure, they could fall back on the fact that he was the last one to get a win over Anderson Silva, but the win came via disqualification when Silva knocked him out cold with an illegal kick. Not a lot to brag about for Okami there.

Still, Okami is a tough fight for anyone and there are many fans that appreciate a fighter that goes about his business methodically and well-measured with few obvious mistakes.

With wins over Alan Belcher, Mike Swick, Evan Tanner, and most recently Mark Munoz, Okami is forcing his way into the title picture, whether anyone cares to see him there or not. His only losses are to Rich Franklin and Chael Sonnen, both by decision. Certainly nothing to be ashamed of.

But, while there is no denying he is in the title mix, seemingly he is not next in line for a shot at the champ. There is a line of contenders waiting for their chance at middleweight and we the fans will be the ones to benefit from them battling it out.

So, how should the UFC make Okami earn another step forward? Is he one fight away, or does he just need to keep plugging along?

Let's analyze the five most likely options for this rising Japanese contender.

5. Vitor Belfort

For as many fans that want to see MMA veteran Vitor Belfort get a shot at Anderson Silva, there is an equal amount that would prefer to see him get a big UFC win at middleweight first.

Since returning to the UFC last year, Belfort's lone win was an impressive first-round knockout over former champ Rich Franklin at a catch-weight of 195 lbs—10 pounds over the middleweight limit. The criticisms revolving around a fighter getting a title shot in a division he has never won in is certainly understandable.

With Anderson Silva out of action until early 2011 due to injuries, and the UFC considering giving Chael Sonnen an immediate rematch at Silva, Belfort could be waiting for quite some time before fighting for the title.

An interim fight with Yushin Okami would make plenty of sense. If Belfort could earn a win over a top contender like Okami, he would shed any question of whether or not he deserves a shot. If Okami could best Belfort, it would be the biggest win of his career and likely propel him into a main event against Silva.

The only reason I doubt this matchup would take place is that Belfort is a big attraction in the UFC, and even if Okami were to beat him, he would still not be a star the level of Belfort. The UFC wants Belfort to eventually fight Silva in a highly featured bout, Okami could very possibly end those plans.

More likely, the UFC will put Belfort against Chael Sonnen with the winner getting their shot. If Sonnen could get a win over Belfort, a rematch with Silva would be huge, and vise versa. However, this is not an article about Belfort.

This matchup is still a very possible option.

4. Winner Of Bisping / Akiyama

Next month, Michael Bisping meets Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama in the main event of UFC 120. While the winner certainly won't be the No. 1 contender at middleweight, he will put himself in the mix.

Whoever wins this fight, and it is a very tough match to choose, would be a very good opponent for Okami to face in a title eliminator.

If Akiyama were to come out on top at UFC 120, the UFC could have a major showdown between two of the bigger Japanese stars on their roster. Earlier this year, there had been rumors of the UFC planning to hold an event in Japan. If this fight could be made, it would be a perfect fit for the show.

If Bisping can best Akiyama, his skill set would make for a very interesting battle against Okami. Both fighters like to box, and both have very underrated wrestling. They are not far apart in terms of their tools, and a fight between the two would prove who is best among them.

If Okami could get a win over either, his star power would get a whopping boost and he would likely be in line for a shot at the belt.

3. Demian Maia

Nothing says you are ready for a championship fight better than fighting a former title challenger and handling him better than the champ did.

In this case, it would be hard for anyone to beat Maia in less impressive fashion than Anderson Silva did earlier this year. As long as Okami didn't dance and retreat for the second half of the fight, ignite anger and discontent in the audience and pay-per-view customers, and basically create one of the worst fights in MMA history, he would have surpassed Silva's performance against Maia.

Maia has a fight to get through later this month against Mario Miranda, and surely there is no guaranteed outcome there, but if Miranda were to pull off the upset, his name would do little for Okami's rise. Maia is an attraction in the UFC; for Okami to face a newcomer that managed to beat Maia would be a step backwards from his recent bouts.

But if Maia can come out of his bout with a victory, a match between him and Okami would be a big opportunity for Okami. A win could possibly be enough to get him to his desired goal.

Also, what else is there to really do with Maia? Nobody in their right mind would ever pay to see him fight Silva again. Neither Okami or Maia have been producing fireworks, at least in Maia's recent fights, so why not pit them against each other and see which one deserves to be in the big fights?

2. Chris Leben

Nobody could have ever imagined that Chris Leben would be held in such a high regard so soon after being written off by most observers following a shutout decision loss to Michael Bisping—in a bout Leben tested positive for steroids—and subsequent submission loss to Jake Rosholt.

However, Leben has managed to string three wins together, including bouts with Aaron Simpson and Yoshihiro Akiyama that took place only two weeks apart in which Leben was favored to lose in both. That Leben was a last minute replacement against Akiyama makes the win that much more impressive.

Leben now sits high in the UFC middleweight division, and he undoubtedly has the UFC brass on his side after saving the co-main event at UFC 116.

There is not much desire to see Leben against Anderson Silva again, since Leben received one of the more brutal first round beatings in Silva's UFC debut. But if Leben could gain a win over Yushin Okami, it would be hard to deny him another big fight.

Okami facing Leben would offer the subplot of Okami avenging his countryman's recent loss, while establishing one of them as a top contender.

Leben has a lot of options at the moment, including fights with any of the top contenders at 185 lbs. Basically, people would like to see him against anyone besides the champ, at the moment anyway. Okami would be one of those attractive options.

1. Winner Of Marquardt / Palhares

Next month, in the main event of Ultimate Fight Night 22, former title challenger Nate Marquardt begins his climb back to the top against jiu-jitsu ace Rousimar Palhares.

The winner will undoubtedly be setting themselves up for something big, and a title eliminator with Okami would be a perfect fit. With a win over either Marquardt or Palhares, Okami would separate himself from the rest of the contenders at middleweight.

Palhares has won three in a row since a shutout decision loss to Dan Henderson, and is one of the most dangerous fighters in the division. Despite this, Marquardt will be a large favorite and is expected to come out on top.

Marquardt is undoubtedly one of the most talented and well-rounded middleweights in the world. Since his loss to Anderson Silva in 2007, he has looked like a different fighter. Before being upset by Chael Sonnen earlier this year, he was the clear No. 1 contender and was thought to just be staying busy with the Sonnen fight.

Now he begins another run for the title, and if he could put together wins over Palhares and Okami, he would certainly be in line for another shot.

Okami is the kind of well-rounded fighter that would have no problem stacking up against any style in the game. Whether it be Palhares' perilous jiu-jitsu game, or Marquardt's superior stand-up skills, Okami is always live.

This is the matchup that makes the most sense, and it would be an entertaining clash of styles.

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