Yoshihiro Akiyama meets Jake Shields at UFC 144 in Japan

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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Beat me to it. It's a good fight but that's not what I wanted to see from either fighter. Shields belongs at MW and Akiyama should fight Dan Hardy . At least IMO.

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

Yeah, can't say I'm excited but it could be a decent scrap.

This will be determined by the weight cut of both, i agree that this is a hard fight 4 Akiyama, Dan Hardy would be an easier opponent. Akiyama may have better ko power at 170, and has never been taken down. If he gets tired Jake will submit him quick i see jake handling the cut because he has done it now, but he would be good at mw too.

Meh.

Hope Akiyama wins.

Sexiyama back in Japan.

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Posted by Budgellism

Beat me to it. It's a good fight but that's not what I wanted to see from either fighter. Shields belongs at MW and Akiyama should fight Dan Hardy . At least IMO.

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yea dont know y shields doesnt go back up to MW. his body just cant handle the weight cut.

I think Shields takes this. Kinda strange match up

I can never tell if Joe Silva just seriously overvalues Akiyama, or hates him very much and loves to see him lose.

does the loser of this fight have to go back to MW?

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posted by @MMAjunkieDann on Twitter

So which UFC exec's wife slept with Sexyama? Dude can catch an easy UFC fight if his life depended on it.

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So true.

God damn, give Akiyama an easy fight for once.
Shields is gonna smash him on the ground.

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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Seriously!

Poor Akiyama has not gotten a "build-up fight" since he entered the octagon.
He's fought Belcher, Leben, Bisping, Belfort, and now he gets Shields.

Tough schedule.

Hopefully Akiyama will put a hurtin on Shields.

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Posted by State_Champ

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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Seriously!

Poor Akiyama has not gotten a "build-up fight" since he entered the octagon.
He's fought Belcher, Leben, Bisping, Belfort, and now he gets Shields.

Tough schedule.

Hopefully Akiyama will put a hurtin on Shields.

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They also matched him up against Marquardt.

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Posted by State_Champ

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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Seriously!

Poor Akiyama has not gotten a "build-up fight" since he entered the octagon.
He's fought Belcher, Leben, Bisping, Belfort, and now he gets Shields.

Tough schedule.

Hopefully Akiyama will put a hurtin on Shields.

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The brutal weight cut will be Sexy's greater opponent.

i see a Shields sub within 2 rounds

hate to say it but loser leaves town match.
I do see jake winning this fight.
Great card so far

Shields has pretty crappy takedowns, and Akiyama has very good takedown defense.

Hilariously enough, this might just be a fight Akiyama can win. On the feet it should be completely one-sided.

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Posted by prozacnation1978

hate to say it but loser leaves town match.
I do see jake winning this fight.
Great card so far

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No way they cut Jake Shields after two fights.

Why is Joe Silva so jealous of Sexyama's sexiness?

I dont wanna see him get fired

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Posted by Chael_Sonnen

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Posted by State_Champ

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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Seriously!

Poor Akiyama has not gotten a "build-up fight" since he entered the octagon.
He's fought Belcher, Leben, Bisping, Belfort, and now he gets Shields.

Tough schedule.

Hopefully Akiyama will put a hurtin on Shields.

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The brutal weight cut will be Sexy's greater opponent.

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or he'll be that much more sexy causing shields to forfeit due to erotic thoughts of an opponent...

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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I agree. This is a fight Akiyama is not suppose to win - at least on paper it says that...

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Posted by warglory

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Posted by prozacnation1978

hate to say it but loser leaves town match.
I do see jake winning this fight.
Great card so far

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No way they cut Jake Shields after two fights.

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Sexy would be Shields 4th fight in the UFC. He beat Kampmann by SD, Lost to GSP and Ellenberger. so if he did lose it would be his 3rd loss in a row. That being said i think Jake takes this.

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Posted by Manak

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Posted by Chael_Sonnen

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Posted by State_Champ

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Posted by DeadHead988

Lol why does Joe Silva hate Aakiyama so much?

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Seriously!

Poor Akiyama has not gotten a "build-up fight" since he entered the octagon.
He's fought Belcher, Leben, Bisping, Belfort, and now he gets Shields.

Tough schedule.

Hopefully Akiyama will put a hurtin on Shields.

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The brutal weight cut will be Sexy's greater opponent.

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or he'll be that much more sexy causing shields to forfeit due to erotic thoughts of an opponent...

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This is actually the logic I was using when putting the house on Akiyama

I see a decision win for Shields..bad matchup for a first fight at 170

Better fight for akiyama imo. Jake cant outstrike him and shields has looked terrible back at welterweight. If akyiama can box and use his judo to keep it up hell knock Jake out. Both will be tired in the third. So thats what i like too. I feel this is akiyamas too win as long as he trains hard.