UFC signs Yoshihiro Akiyama !!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

http://www.mmaweekly.com/absolutenm/...8248&zoneid=13
http://www.sherdog.com/fighter/Yoshihiro-Akiyama-11895

“I’m excited to bring Akiyama into the UFC and I can see him making an immediate impact in the middleweight division,” said UFC President Dana White. “Besides his great judo and submission game, he’s a finisher, and UFC fans are going to love watching him because he always shows up to fight.”

Born of Korean descent in Osaka, Japan, Akiyama first made his name in the international sports world as a decorated black belt in judo who collected numerous titles, including a Gold medal in the 2002 Asian Games.

By 2004, Akiyama sought a new challenge in the world of mixed martial arts, and he made an immediate impact on Dec. 31, 2004, when he debuted with a first-round submission win in his bout against former world heavyweight boxing champion Francois Botha.

Over the next three years, the 5-foot, 10-inch tall Akiyama built a stellar reputation as one of the best fighters in the world, submitting highly-touted knockout artist Melvin Manhoef, knocking out UFC middleweight Denis Kang, and engaging in battles with the likes of Kazushi Sakuraba and Kazuo Misaki. In 2008, the 33-year-old continued his run of excellence, submitting Katsuyori Shibata and Masanori Tonooka to up his stellar MMA record to 12-1 and two no-contests, with none of his bouts going the distance.

I am soo pumped about this, this guy is SICK
His Judo is wayyy on another level from any UFC fighter.
I am exited to see him mix it up in the MW division, good stuff.

video of him and Kang if you haven't seen him fight.
http://www.cagepotato.com/ufc-signs-yoshihiro-akiyama

why'd they sign him now? he can't use Vaseline anymore?

[rockdawg21]

Originally Posted by atomdanger

His Judo is wayyy on another level from any UFC fighter.

Uh oh! Better hope Joe Rogan doesn't read this or else he's going to throw the Karo argument at you!

Originally Posted by rockdawg21

Uh oh! Better hope Joe Rogan doesn't read this or else he's going to throw the Karo argument at you!

Akiyama is much more decorated.

Karo has 6 Junior National Wins, Akiyama has pro wins in big tourney's.
and in Asia, where Judo is much more popular and the competition is a LOT more stiff

Originally Posted by Hughes_GOAT

why'd they sign him now? he can't use Vaseline anymore?

lol

That was on his Gi, he never greases his skin

Originally Posted by atomdanger

lol

That was on his Gi, he never greases his skin

well, he can't use a Gi in the UFC unfortunately.

[bj44]

akiyama is a punk, a good fighter though lol. Hope he gets someone good his first find and catches a beatdown. Give him Marquardt!!!

[Spiritwalker]

Originally Posted by rockdawg21

Uh oh! Better hope Joe Rogan doesn't read this or else he's going to throw the Karo argument at you!

Yoshihiro is completely on another level.. even Rogan has to admit that.

Originally Posted by bj44

akiyama is a punk, a good fighter though lol. Hope he gets someone good his first find and catches a beatdown. Give him Marquardt!!!

Why would you say he is a punk?

Originally Posted by Hughes_GOAT

well, he can't use a Gi in the UFC unfortunately.

lol well of course not, it isn't a judo match,
the BJJ champions can't wear theirs either.