Yoshihiro Akiyama said at a UFC press conference Tuesday in Japan that he will fight Wanderlei Silva inside the Octagon some time in early 2010, possibly in the main event of UFC 111 in Sydney, Australia.
Tony Loiseleur of Sherdog reported that Akiyama confirmed he'll fight Silva at 185 pounds, and although Akiyama said he would personally prefer to do the fight at UFC 110 in Las Vegas, my own opinion is that UFC 111 would make a lot more sense. Akiyama-Silva is tailor made to be the main event of an overseas show, and considering that Akiyama and Silva are two of the most popular fighters among MMA fans in Japan -- and that there's just a one-hour time difference between Sydney and Tokyo -- the UFC must be thinking that the Australian show will be a good one to draw in Japanese TV viewers.
UFC 111 hasn't been officially announced, but it's expected to take place in Sydney in late February. Predictably, the UFC's impending arrival has led to inaccurate, over-the-top news coverage from those who are sure MMA signals the decline of civilization. But there are plenty of people in Australia who understand MMA and are excited about seeing the UFC, and Silva vs. Akiyama would be a great fight for them to see.
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Comments (Page 1 of 1)
Why schedule this great match up on a first time Australian card instead of having it on a high profile card here in the States?
It's asinine, and once again goes to show that Zuffa knows that the average American MMA fan is only interested in the Brock Lesnar's, Tito Ortiz's, Kimbo Slice's and the TUF cast of MMA while the rest of their foreign fight fans actually get to see true fighters without all the excess baggage.
Just compare the foreign cards with the average U.S ones and you'll get the point.
Do you really feel this is a "great match up"? I don't believe this warrants being a main event on a PPV card.
I realize that the level of competition has been VERY high, but Wanderlei has lost 5 of his last 6 and been knocked 100% completely unconscious in 3 of them.
I think Akiyama is much sharper than Wanderlei at this point in their careers, and I think he will win this fight. The only loss in Akiyama's 13-1 career was 4 years ago against Jerome LeBanner who outweighed him by more than 70 lbs.
Well "Eric" yes I feel like this is a great match up that's why I said that in my first post.
Apparently you don't, but guess what I have a different opinion and yet instead of just accepting that and moving on or stating your own opinion on this fight you try and give reasons as to why I shouldn't have the opinion I do.
Thus I have to waste my time defending my excitement over the fact two very entertaining fighters with a long history in combat sports are going to be matched up with one another.
Next time you're going to reply to a story try and have a legitimate take instead of just replying to question why someone else doesn't think exactly as you do.
alittle touchy there, milty.
i mean it's cool that your excited and all, but, eric is stating his opinion by rebuking yours.
and he is not being rude or crude in any way.
he is just stating facts and his opinion that this bout doesn't warrant main event status and why it doesn't.
and he makes a great arguement.
sorry if your taking this personal, but i also happen to agree with eric.
vandy is not very relevant at the moment.
i certainly don't see myself paying for this one either. although i am jacked for ufc 104.
not so much for 105, although this one is free.
and yeah i'm looking forward to ufc 106.
lol...if you're not excited about this fight you don't like action packed fights.
This should be a stand up war, and along with the Kimbo/Houston Alexander fight these 2 rumored fights are at the top of my list of must see UFC fights coming up now that Rampage/Rashad has been canceled.
As far As Wand not being relevant his last he was in the main event of a UFC PPV not sure how much more relevant a fighter can be.
geez milt, for a guy that bashes the fans of the ufc hw champion, and the fans of a guy who helped build the ufc, you're a little touchy dontcha think. i get the kimbo thing.
it is really a pity that akiyama - great MMA warrior with judo background was not fighting at that fight...
here are all his fights: http://www.mmajudo.net/yoshihiro-akiyama.php
http://www.mmajudo.net
was not fighting at that fight...
here are all his fights: http://www.mmajudo.net/yoshihiro-akiyama.php
http://www.mmajudo.net