Round 1
Okami pistons the jab from his southpaw stance, snapping Sonnen’s head back before the wrestler shoots in. Okami staves him off for a moment but Sonnen gets him to the mat from the clinch along the cage. Okami struggles back to his feet but Sonnen grabs a body clinch from the rear and slams him to the mat. Okami back up for a second but back he goes, courtesy of Sonnen. Sonnen takes his back and attempts a rear naked choke but Okami defends and gets back to his feet with Sonnen holding onto a rear body lock. Sonnen jumps onto Okami’s back and begins working the rear naked again but Okami escapes. In the center of the cage, Sonnen hits another takedown but can’t keep Okami down. The fighters exchange big lefts, Sonnen first and Okami with a counter as the round closes.
Round 2
Okami scores with punches as round two gets underway. Sonnen shoots as Okami is throwing a kick and he is stopped in his tracks. Okami tries to get away from Sonnen’s grasp but he clings to his shorts and legs from behind. Sonnen is taking control of the fight, surprisingly, on the feet. He is backing Okami up and landing a lead left hook over and over. Okami has no answer and seems preoccupied with defending the takedown.
Round 3
Sonnen is back at it in the third, stalking Okami on the feet to set up his shot. He drops for the takedown but Okami defends with underhooks. Sonnen is undeterred and press forward on the feet. The two southpaws circle in the center of the cage but Sonnen is much more active. Okami, possibly sensing a little urgency begins to push forward but Sonnen stuffs him up against the cage and plants him to the canvas. Okami turtles and Sonnen takes his back. Okami wriggles back to his feet with Sonnen in tow, holding his waist in a body lock. Sonnen pushes him to the mat and Okami, on his side, locks up a Kimura. Sonnen defends will and Okami lets the hold go. He gets back to his feet but can’t shake Sonnen. The round closes.
Sonnen takes a unanimous decision on the official cards with scores of 30-27 across the board.