Akiyama vs. Shields at UFC 144 in Japan, 2/26, @170

by Thomas Gerbasi | source: ufc.com

Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama will have plenty of support from his home country fans on February 26th, when he makes his welterweight debut in UFC 144 action against 170-pound contender Jake Shields at Saitama Super Arena in Japan.

“Verbal agreements are in for a welterweight matchup in Tokyo, Japan between former Strikeforce champion Jake Shields and Asian superstar ‘Sexyama’ Yoshihiro Akiyama February 26th,” said UFC President Dana White.

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tags-: Yoshihiro Akiyama (detail) Jake Shields (detail) UFC 144

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11/15/11 1:32 PM by DamnSevern

this sort of reminds me of rockhold vs jacare: everyone though jacare was going to walk right through rockhold, sub him rather easily.

11/15/11 1:27 PM by DamnSevern

you're right, Jake subs everyone...Kampmann, Miller, Ellenberger. had hendo mounted for 4 rounds, why couldn't he sub him? Kampmann mounted for atleast a round Last 2 people he subbed were Lawler and Daley, 2 dudes not exactly known for sub defense. I really don't understand why people think Jake will easily grapplefuck a decorated judo blackbelt who is quite dangerous on the feet. Don't let the fact than an exhausted akiyama was subbed by Leben after taking a shit ton of damage fool you

11/15/11 9:53 AM by Cyril Jeff

I would bet it's only a matter of time, especially if Nick is Champ.

11/15/11 1:37 AM by Jaybrone

I think if Akiyama gets away from this flashy stand and trade mentality and goes back to his roots (Judo) he will be much better off. However I don't know if he can stop that Shields takedown. If he can't stop it early and often its over early. I say Jake gets a W.

11/15/11 1:27 AM by Jaybrone

Man Sexyama hasn't had an easy road in the UFC for damn sure. I think win or lose Jake needs to go back up to MW he just doesn't seem to be the same at 170 anymore. Neither one of these guys have had an easy road in the UFC for damn sure.

11/14/11 10:21 PM by yakumomutsu

All right! Should be good fight. I always thought Akiyama was to small for MW and gave him a really good chance against GSP if he made the cut. He should be a beast at 170

11/14/11 9:52 PM by ajsr

I want to see Shields back at 185

11/14/11 9:50 PM by Koga

I liuke this match up, hopefully Shields will force Sexyama to grapple so we can see his judo for once (other than for just takedown defence).Hardy was a bad match up for Sexyama, who would have lost by stand and wang against a guy he could easily takedown and beat.

11/14/11 9:31 PM by explodin

You're right. His opponents have not been as invincible as I made it seem. I have just been surprised with his last 3 opponent selections. He losses to leben around top 15 in the world, then his next fight is against bisping top 5 in the world, then vitor top 3 in the world. It just seemed so odd that with each loss his next fight was against some even better.

11/14/11 8:50 PM by Wasa-B

Established, hadnt really fought that many good guys though. His 2 best opponents were Kang (KTFO Kang) and Misaki (back and forth fight where he nearly lost to a kick but still was on 3 points so it was a NC). Its just that Zuffa keeps referring to him as a "superstar." He got the swag but wasnt exactly the poster boy for JMMA, was never in Saku or Kid's league.But Belcher, Leben, Bisping are all guys he should have been able to hang with and did with the exception of Bisping, whom he still rocked out the gate but that's all he had.

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