Post by PdW2kX on Sept 3, 2011 23:04:38 GMT -5
Still pluggin' away at the new site, so I figured I'd take the chance to plug the new site!
>_>
Bad puns are bad, but interesting news is interesting. What do you guys think of Akiyama's chances at 170? Here's my say.
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Yoshihiro Akiyama Makes The Smart Move And Plans To Drop To Welterweight
At one time one of Japan’s biggest MMA stars, Yoshihiro Akiyama has struggled to find himself in the UFC. To date, Akiyama has only won once in the Octagon, which was a very close Split Decision win over Alan Belcher. Currently, Akiyama has lost three straight fights, and even worse, two of those losses were stoppages. But the fact that three of Akiyama’s four fights in the UFC have all netted him a “Fight of the Night” bonus means that the UFC will be willing to give him one last chance… at Welterweight. Here are all the details.
The original source detailing Akiyama’s drop down comes from the Japanese website Sponichi. Here’s a quick recap: following his recent first-round KO loss to Vitor Belfort, Akiyama considered retiring before accepting the UFC’s offer to drop down to Welterweight. Akiyama says that he would like to train under Georges St. Pierre and be the UFC Welterweight Champion’s apprentice.
I think this is a very smart move for Akiyama, because the reality of the situation is that Akiyama is just too small for the Middleweight division as it stands right now. In today’s day and age, people don’t compete at their natural weight class, and the giant weight cut is the norm. We can debate whether or not that’s smart of fair or etc., but that’s the reality of the situation.
Consider this: two of Akiyama’s recent losses have come against men who’ve competed at higher weight classes earlier in their careers. Michael Bisping is a former Light Heavyweight, while Vitor Belfort has previously competed at both Light Heavyweight and even Heavyweight.
Of course, a drop down in weight always has its challenges. Akiyama is a small Middleweight, but fifteen pounds is fifteen pounds. However, I’m pretty optimistic and I think this is the right choice, and also the one Akiyama needs to make in order to remain a UFC employee.
At Welterweight, I think Akiyama will finally be given the chance to implement his will and start using his judo base. Judo throws take a lot of power, and it’s hard to throw somebody that’s bigger than you. There are some monster Welterweights for sure, but I think a combination of increased speed, power, and agility will finally allow Akiyama to capture another UFC win.
If he wants to train under Georges St. Pierre, that’s a pretty smart move as well. Georges St. Pierre lives and breathes MMA, and he currently trains at one of the best MMA camps on the planet.
And who would be a good first opponent for Akiyama at 170? Perhaps the loser of the upcoming BJ Penn vs. Carlos Condit fight? Both Penn and Condit would make very interesting, very tough challenges for Akiyama. Or maybe a returning Jon Fitch? Fitch doesn’t have any opponents lined up for him and he seems to be very hungry to get back into the mix, so I think that would be a good fight for both men. Josh Koscheck is also returning, although he plans to move up to Middleweight. Perhaps Akiyama could face Koscheck in a catchweight fight at a weight between 175-180. That way, both men will be able to gauge how their bodies handle putting on or cutting weight.
In the end, I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for Akiyama. And since he’s entertained me in the past, I look forward to seeing his Welterweight debut.
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If you enjoyed this article, check out my site at fightgamesblog.net
>_>
Bad puns are bad, but interesting news is interesting. What do you guys think of Akiyama's chances at 170? Here's my say.
-----
Yoshihiro Akiyama Makes The Smart Move And Plans To Drop To Welterweight
At one time one of Japan’s biggest MMA stars, Yoshihiro Akiyama has struggled to find himself in the UFC. To date, Akiyama has only won once in the Octagon, which was a very close Split Decision win over Alan Belcher. Currently, Akiyama has lost three straight fights, and even worse, two of those losses were stoppages. But the fact that three of Akiyama’s four fights in the UFC have all netted him a “Fight of the Night” bonus means that the UFC will be willing to give him one last chance… at Welterweight. Here are all the details.
The original source detailing Akiyama’s drop down comes from the Japanese website Sponichi. Here’s a quick recap: following his recent first-round KO loss to Vitor Belfort, Akiyama considered retiring before accepting the UFC’s offer to drop down to Welterweight. Akiyama says that he would like to train under Georges St. Pierre and be the UFC Welterweight Champion’s apprentice.
I think this is a very smart move for Akiyama, because the reality of the situation is that Akiyama is just too small for the Middleweight division as it stands right now. In today’s day and age, people don’t compete at their natural weight class, and the giant weight cut is the norm. We can debate whether or not that’s smart of fair or etc., but that’s the reality of the situation.
Consider this: two of Akiyama’s recent losses have come against men who’ve competed at higher weight classes earlier in their careers. Michael Bisping is a former Light Heavyweight, while Vitor Belfort has previously competed at both Light Heavyweight and even Heavyweight.
Of course, a drop down in weight always has its challenges. Akiyama is a small Middleweight, but fifteen pounds is fifteen pounds. However, I’m pretty optimistic and I think this is the right choice, and also the one Akiyama needs to make in order to remain a UFC employee.
At Welterweight, I think Akiyama will finally be given the chance to implement his will and start using his judo base. Judo throws take a lot of power, and it’s hard to throw somebody that’s bigger than you. There are some monster Welterweights for sure, but I think a combination of increased speed, power, and agility will finally allow Akiyama to capture another UFC win.
If he wants to train under Georges St. Pierre, that’s a pretty smart move as well. Georges St. Pierre lives and breathes MMA, and he currently trains at one of the best MMA camps on the planet.
And who would be a good first opponent for Akiyama at 170? Perhaps the loser of the upcoming BJ Penn vs. Carlos Condit fight? Both Penn and Condit would make very interesting, very tough challenges for Akiyama. Or maybe a returning Jon Fitch? Fitch doesn’t have any opponents lined up for him and he seems to be very hungry to get back into the mix, so I think that would be a good fight for both men. Josh Koscheck is also returning, although he plans to move up to Middleweight. Perhaps Akiyama could face Koscheck in a catchweight fight at a weight between 175-180. That way, both men will be able to gauge how their bodies handle putting on or cutting weight.
In the end, I think this is definitely a step in the right direction for Akiyama. And since he’s entertained me in the past, I look forward to seeing his Welterweight debut.
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If you enjoyed this article, check out my site at fightgamesblog.net
+nod+of+approval.gif)
