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[Sakara=Excitement]

Has Yoshihiro Akiyama Been a Major Disappointment in the UFC? - Bloody Elbow

One of the most intriguing topics coming out of last night's UFC 120 main event showdown between Michael Bisping and Yoshihiro Akiyama is the discussion as to whether Akiyama is a true disappointment or the perfect antidote against the poison of dull, tiresome performances. Many fans would probably take a cursory glance at his record and his performances and believe that the 2002 Asian Games 81kg Judo gold medalist has been a major failure in his ambitious effort to become relevant in the UFC middleweight division. But a case could be made that valuing his performances without considering the entertainment factor is unwise, especially when we talk about what really matters -- Zuffa's bottom line.

From a technical standpoint, Akiyama has had his ups and downs over the course of his three-fight stint with the UFC. Conditioning has been an ongoing struggle for Akiyama, and the size of his frame in comparison to most of his competition is tough to ignore. If you recall, the split decision victory over Alan Belcher at UFC 100 still drew a lot of criticism from fans that Akiyama would best be suited at welterweight, despite earning the victory along with a Fight of the Night bonus.

It's tough not to give Akiyama credit where credit is due however. When he first signed with the UFC back in February of 2009, there was considerable concern that DREAM had protected him in his two most recent match-ups with Katsuyori Shibata and Masanori Toonoka. While the mixed martial arts scene in Japan frequently produces squash matches, there was a lot of talk that Kazuo Misaki's illegal head kick had loosened the bolts in Akiyama's head and caused DREAM to go on the defensive in securing a future for their investment. Once Akiyama landed in North America, there was some speculation that FEG had let him go due to those concerns being confirmed. Fortunately for the fans, Akiyama has managed to silence any doubts that his chin has wilted from past encounters.

Being able to slug it out with some of the best in the division is great for your pocketbook, but it's apparent that Akiyama will never reach a level in which we consider him an upper-echelon talent. While he does possess one punch knockout power and excellent Judo skills, the idea that the only strategy Akiyama could come up against Michael Bisping was to sit in the pocket and load up his right hand proves that his fight intelligence is lacking. Sure, it worked for Dan Henderson, but I highly doubt it'll work a second time.

Does that really matter though? In the end, Akiyama has earned three consecutive Fight of the Night bonuses, entertained millions of fans worldwide, and gained the respect of many fans who didn't give him a chance when he traversed the Pacific to fight in North America.

Is Yoshihiro Akiyama a disappointment? For fans expecting him to dominate the UFC and Judo toss Anderson Silva into unconsciousness, those visions of grandeur have blinded them to the reality that Akiyama was never a world beater. If we look at his performances in the UFC from a more realistic point of view, we can enjoy what he's accomplished in the UFC. He's become one of the true entertainment acts in the UFC middleweight division, and we should be lucky to watch his gutsy performances, even if he can't find the winning formula.

I think Akiyama should drop weight but thats just me.

[Mac]

Just on the title alone I would have to say no. How can three FOTN be a "Major" dissapointment?

[UFC-chef/Hughes-fan]

He always reverts to headhunting in every fight. He was doing well in the first round mixing up his strikes and using his Judo then in the 2nd he just tried to KO bisping in one punch, no combos no grappling. A disappointment not yet but another loss to a middle of the pack opponnent and maybe so.

[IceCold48]

no hes old now and putting on awesome fight JMMA style. i never expected him to contend in the ufc when he signed just going to war which he has

[popsicle]

I dont know if he has been a disappointment, but he has been more one dimensional then I thought he would be. In Japan I saw him utilize more of his Judo and BJJ skills, and figured it would translate well to the UFC. Granted he was fighting a lower level of competition in Japan, but I am suprised that he does not mix it up a little more because he has the skill to do so. I guess that in itself is a little disappointing.

[Fedorlei Gomipierre]

He's not a disappointment per se, but I am disappointed in the matchmaking of his last two fights, becase both Leban and Bisping are such massive MWs that he's just really undersized and it makes alot of his attack quite futile, because opponents can keep distance and push off with relative ease. I don't know if at his age he can cut down to WW because he's impressively built, but he's getting pushed around alot that nullifies his style and approach and I think he'd be much improved against more even sized foes.

[Y2JUBAE]

His fights are always exciting. Not a disappointment at all.

[UFC-chef/Hughes-fan]

I think he could be a force at 170 IF he can drop the weight. He's pretty strong and if he used his Judo could throw Welterweights all over the place. But thats assuming he drops weight and starts fighting more intelligently,

[Xtremo]

Originally Posted by Mac

Just on the title alone I would have to say no. How can three FOTN be a "Major" dissapointment?

When you got an iron chin and get hit many considerable and memorable times...Bisping unloaded on him...Leben also caught him with many shots and Belcher even did a superman off the fence...

But your right, he is far from being a "Major Dissapointment"...because imo, at least he still keeps on coming forward and looking for the finish even after he visually gassed...I would say something like "Unlucky Akiyama"...because he rocks Leben, but couldn't follow it up to finish him and even Bisping got rocked once or twice in their fight, but luck wasn't on Sexy's side...

[NLRepublic]

It comes down to opinion and personal expectations I think

IMO he isn't at all. I never expected him to make a MW title run, and he has 3 FOTNs. His fights with Belcher/Leben were some of the best in the Octagon over the last 2 years.

Would like to see him cut down to 170 were his size is less of an obstacle all the same though. And mix in some of his throws, even if only to make his stand up less predictable so he could land one of his power shots.