Middleweight stand-out Yoshihiro Akiyama signs with UFC

Discussion in 'MMA - Mixed Martial Arts' started by Celtic Fan, Feb 24, 2009.

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  1. Celtic Fan

    Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

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    UFC adding more Japanese talent, further adding fuel to the speculation they're gearing up to hold a UFC in Japan. This could be someone to challenge Anderson Silva for the MW title as well....

    Silva vs Akiyama in Japan??? Ridiculous
     
    Celtic Fan, Feb 24, 2009
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  2. Mamba

    Mamba The King is Back Staff Member Global Moderator

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    Awesome. Nice to see them trying to bring in more talent to contest with Silva.
     
    Mamba, Feb 24, 2009
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  3. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    Solid addition to a deep talent pool at middleweight.
     
    speeds, Feb 25, 2009
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  4. Celtic Fan

    Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

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    Middleweight has a lot of promising talent coming in, the UFC is doing a very good job.
    Cote better be working his takedown and sub defence if he wants to earn his way to another title shot :D

    Now they gotta address the HW division.
     
    Celtic Fan, Feb 25, 2009
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  5. Celtic Fan

    Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

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    Some MMA writers are speculating that the UFC's push to sign Japanese/Asia fighters is to hold an event in South Korea not Japan

    this does make some sense at both WVR Sengoku and DREAM are struggling to find the large audiences and TV ratings that Pride once had.
     
    Celtic Fan, Feb 25, 2009
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  6. speeds

    speeds $2.50 highball, $1.50 beer Staff Member Administrator GFX Team

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    An article on Bloody Elbow suggests Akiyama can make up to and over a million per fight depending on the success he has. Wow, they must really believe his is a draw for the Asian audience. Frankly, Akiyama became one of the most hated fighters in Japan after oiling up before fighting Saku. I don't know if everyone is over that yet. Then again, he is Sexiyama.

    [​IMG]
     
    speeds, Feb 26, 2009
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  7. Celtic Fan

    Celtic Fan Well-Known Member

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    yeah but even the ppl who hate him show up to his fights to see him lose.
    Dude is one of the top 3 MMA draws in Japan from everything I've read.
     
    Celtic Fan, Feb 26, 2009
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