Picking & Grinning: UFC Fight Night ‘St. Preux vs. Okami’

More than four years have passed since Yushin Okami last set foot inside the Ultimate Fighting Championship, and he undoubtedly has designs on a grand return. The well-traveled 36-year-old will step in for the injured Mauricio Rua to face Ovince St. Preux in the UFC Fight Night 117 main event on Friday at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan.

Okami carries a four-fight winning streak with him, marking his longest run of success since he rattled off six consecutive victories between May 13, 2006 and April 7, 2007. He last competed under the Professional Fighters League banner in July, when he was awarded a three-round unanimous decision over Andre Lobato. Wins over Alan Belcher (twice),…