What Do You Do With Akiyama?

Added on Oct 18, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

Akiyama is coming off of a loss against British standout Michael Bisping this past Saturday night at UFC 120. The always exciting Japanese fighter, by way of Korea, has shown time and time again why he is a fan favorite. UFC President Dana White even said the week of the fight “Akiyama is never in boring fights, you have to love that as a fan of the sport.” However, he is coming off of two straight losses.

This is not a slam piece against Akiyama. People who don’t follow MMA do not realize the accomplishments Akiyama has put together throughout his career. The 13-3 fighter is highly regarded not only in Mixed martial Arts, but as a gold metal Judokah as well. Here are just a few of his accomplishments in Judo:

Kodokan Cup Japan Judo Championship 81 kg Champion 2001

All-Japan Industry Judo Singles 81 kg Champion 2001

Gold Medal at the2001 Asian Championships

Gold Medal at the 2002 Asian Games

If you were a normal fighter, a new comer to the UFC, you would be fearing the call from matchmaker Joe Silva about getting your pink slip. I have even been hearing negative things about Akiyama from sometimes fickle MMA/UFC fans. These are ridiculous thoughts. To even suggest that the UFC would toss out a fan favorites fighter like Akiyama is border line insane. The man has been in three UFC fights in his career, and every time so far he has walked out with the highly coveted Fight Of The Night Bonus.

He came into the UFC at one of the biggest UFC pay per view events in history: UFC 100. He put on a great fight and defeated Alan Belcher via Split Decision. This was Akiyama’s first fight where the judges decided who won. That right there should tell you something about Akiyama. He has 18 MMA fights, and only two have gone to the judges.

Akiyama was then scheduled to fight Wanderlei Silva, but due to a training injury, Chris Leben stepped up to face him. Leben is one of the most durable fighters the UFC has on its roster, but Akiyama’s gas tank got the better of him. Had he lasted 20 seconds more, he would have arguably won the decision against Leben, but he was submitted via triangle choke in an excellent win for Chris.

Michael Bisping handed Akiyama his 3^rd career loss this past Saturday, and even if you had him winning a round, there was no doubt who won the fight. Bisping used his hand speed, after getting his bell rung early in the first round, and really let Akiyama have it for the rest of the fight. Bisping doesn’t have the one punch knock out power, but he has shown that he can put them together and put some people away. Akiyama really showed off his chin, and took punch after punch while trying to land that one big shot that he thought would put Bisping away. The shot that didn’t come.

So what do you do with Akiyama? Nothing! He is important to the UFC on many levels. First and foremost, when Dana rails against fights like UFC 119 main event Crocop vs. Mir as being boring, he has to take into account when he has a fighter who has never not received a Fight Of The Night check. Secondly, Akiyama is an asset with regards to the UFC taking the promotion around the globe. Having an Asian fighter who is as exciting as he is, around the world, can only make their job easier.

As a journalist covering this sport for 3 years now, and an avid fan watching MMA for almost a decade, I cringe when I hear people say things like they should cut Akiyama. In an ideal world, I would really like to see him finally face Wanderlei Silva when he gets healthy. Demian Maia, or Kendal Grove could also be good fights for him. It would be throwing out the baby with the the bathwater if Akiyama was cut from the UFC, and he won’t be. He is the exact type of fighter the UFC needs in their roster.