Dana White: Yoshihiro Akiyama wants Wanderlei Silva
by Akimitsu Kuwabara on Feb 21, 2010 9:59 AM EST
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At the UFC 110 press conference, UFC president Dana White hinted at a sexy matchup that would pique massive interest among Japanese MMA fans.
We previously reported that the winner of Wanderlei Silva-Michael Bisping may face Yoshihiro Akiyama. Following Silva's victory on Saturday night at the Acer Arena in Sydney, Australia, White revealed that "Akiyama wants to fight Wanderlei very bad."
The rumor leading up to UFC 110 indicated that, should Silva triumph over Bisping, Zuffa planned on staging Silva-Akiyama bout in Japan. At the press conference, Silva obliged Akiyama for the showdown when asked whom he wants to fight next. White offered no word about hosting a UFC event in Japan in near future.
Japan has hitherto been off-limit for Zuffa due to the hostile and murky business climate. Nevertheless, given the level of recognition Silva and Akiyama enjoy in Japan, the bout between them could become a catalyst for UFC's expansion into Japanese market.
Silva edged Michael Bisping at UFC 110 and improved his UFC record to 2-3 since rejoining the organization in 2007 after the dissolution of Pride FC. During his career in Pride, he had achieved a superstar status in Japan as the long-reigning middleweight king.
Akiyama, on the other hand, cut his teeth in the now defunct K-1 Hero's. The former world-class judoka has established himself as an ultimate "heel" in Japan in the wake of greasing allegation in his fight against Kazushi Sakuraba in Hero's. In his UFC debut at UFC 100, he edged Alan Belcher via split decision and garnered the fight-of-the-night award.
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Wandy lokked very strange last night
his nose looked better but his eyebrows looked weird…he looked like a vicious gargoyle
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
i know i cant take himseriously with that new face
he looks like a sidekick for a cartoon superheroe! on another note if that wand from last nite turns up id pick sexyama over him all year
Wasn't this taken after the Belcher fight?
That would explain the dodgy eye.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
what about his other eye though?
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
Maybe the flash was bright, Dana's eyes are squinted a bit as well
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Wand by KO
Sexyama is too small to beat a monster like Wand and this is a bad match-up for him. If Wand fights aggressively then he should have no problem beating Sexyama.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
Youre an idiot
Wand looked like shit yesterday and got handed a decision.
Akiyama will win if they fight.
by Lester The Pimp on Feb 21, 2010 10:11 AM EST up reply actions
How in any way, shape or form was Wand handed that decision?
Stylistically I just think that it’s a bad fight for Sexyama, Wand’s TDD wasn’t great last night so Sexy’s best chance is to use his judo throws and take Wand down, if he tries to strike with him he’ll get KO’d.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
I agree
stuffed td’s should be awarded points just the same as td’s…the difference comes when there is damage done while on the ground…Wand was never hurt on the ground as he nulified Bsping’s GnP
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
by McArthur... on Feb 21, 2010 10:26 AM EST up reply actions
Agreed
Other than the first round Bisping’s takedowns weren’t effective anyway, Wand was doing just as good a job with his trips and comfortably won the striking exchanges in rounds 2 and 3. After a shakey start he looked good in my opinion and came damn close to finishing the fight.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
I agree that Akiyama is too small for MW
but if the Wand from yesterday shows up, he’ll get cleaned up.
by NNR (formerly NameNotRequired) on Feb 21, 2010 1:06 PM EST up reply actions
Yea
What do you guys think about rewarding really tight submission attempts just as much as say a knock down. I think they should if they dont already. Case in poin would be that tight guillotine though it didnt end the fight it basically left bisping in affective for the whole time it was sinked in. Takedowns i believe are the most overated point in MMA. The plain takedown should not be scored just as a stuffed takedown attempt should not be. WHAT should be scored is the position held time period and most important DAMAGE.
by The real ZACK on Feb 23, 2010 8:00 PM EST up reply actions
lester wand did do enough but
if bisping hadnt of fell into a guillotine and stayed in top position to the bell with a little gnp implemented then he wins that fight imo thats how close the 2nd round was imo
2nd round was close and that guillotine was crucial in sealing the win, if Bisping had have finished the round with ground and pound instead of almost being submitted then he may have took the round
I was impressed by the way that Wand was finishing each round, he’s one of the few guys that goes for the kill to steal rounds and it shows great intelligence. It’s a tactic that a lot of MMAsts are ignoring to their detriment.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
Yea
People are saying he didnt do much thorough out I think Wanderlei came into this fight wanting a win. I dont think he wanted to gas out too early. Your right about him stealing rounds i thnk he does show his verteran intelligence. Wanderlei has truly changed his style and i think that alone will let him stay around longer than other guys like a Chuck or Coleman.
by The real ZACK on Feb 23, 2010 8:02 PM EST up reply actions
Wandy has been out for sometime
Bisping is tough challenge for anybody being out that long. And he changed his tactics on top of it all. Wandy will be even better against Yoshi who I doubt could beat Bisping?
`Common sense is not so common - Voltaire
yea
Bisping is a good fighter even though I hate him. People hate on Bisping but he does have many great skills
by The real ZACK on Feb 23, 2010 8:03 PM EST up reply actions
well maybe ur taking the 1st fight at mw and cut into consideration
because if that wand turns up he loses imo he looked bad and if bisping had performed in rounds 2 and 3 like he did in 1 it was 30-27 across the board.in fact fuck knows what happened to bisping.plus taking into account the muscle wand has stripped it does have an adverse effect on ur chin,look at rjj.bisping rocked wand in the 1st round.
They can bill this one as "Beauty and the Beast"
by HappyLittleTreez on Feb 21, 2010 10:12 AM EST reply actions
This fight needs to happen in JAPAN
Wandy and Akiyama are both gods in Japan. If anything could get Dana’s foot back in that door, it’s this fight.
What's next for Sotiropoulos?
I’m thinkin’ Tyson Griffin or Sean Sherk.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
or loser
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
by McArthur... on Feb 21, 2010 10:21 AM EST up reply actions
nice but with georges age i think hes got to be deepended straight away
especially after that performance i thought he looked great
I would say he's two fights away
maybe Maynard or Sherk then winner of Gomi/kenny
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
by McArthur... on Feb 21, 2010 10:24 AM EST up reply actions
Maynard is stilll a big jump in rankings. Everyone is sayin Maynard is #1 contender. I think Maynard gets winner of Gomi/Florian. George gets loser or Sherk orGriffin
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
yeah, but Diego moved up to WW
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
I think winner of Gomi/Kenflo is too much of a jump.
How can you justify “Winner of Kenny/Gomi gets Sotiropoulos??”
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
because the jump in class from georges usual opponent
to joe daddy was massive.although he didnt stop him ala penn or florian,joes beat some solid guys and george handled him easily imo.plus george isnt no spring chicken,its now or never for him.
still has to work his way up the rankings.
Dana said at post-fight. if he continues fighting like this, he could get a title shot in about a year. That means in about 3 fights. If he beats Gomi or Florian, that puts him at #1, and ready for a title shot.
I know he handled Joe Stevenson, but that doesn’t put him up there with the likes of Florian, not yet. Florian destroyed Joe Daddy. What makes Florian have to earn a win over Gomi to have to fight George?? No way.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
you miss the point, Scott
it’s a great deal for George, but what Two Words is trying to say is how do you tell Kenny or Gomi, “Hey, if you win this big fight, you get to take a step back and fight an up-n-comer”
...
Maybe a fighter against the winner of Pearson/Siver or Winner/Cole.
Then a fight against a bigger name, like Guida. That fight would be sick IMO. Both guys are relentless. That would be a VERY fast paced fight.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
that would be a step down for Sot
to have to face Pearson/Siver or Winner/Cole after beating Stevenson. Guida is an excellent suggestion though. Not quite as high rated as Stevenson, but a very game opponent who’s been very competitive against top names. Sherk or Tyson Griffin would also be great choices.
It will be the Bully
Its in the works for 114.. Gray Maynard needs someone to fight and it will most probably be Soitrop
by Apocacryptic on Feb 21, 2010 5:38 PM EST up reply actions
What's next for Cain?
JDS, after he disposes of Gonzaga next month. Winner gets title shot.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
I agree. But, assuming the other fight goes through.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
I say give Cain Brock
He’s done a lot more than the 2 big mouths and has a better shot at beating Brock than either of them. Unfortunately him and JDS are getting screwed and they will probabaly end up fighting each other but I’d be happy to see either of them get a title fight as at least they’ve earnt it through big wins and hard work, not by talking nonsense about the champion.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
before this fight
I’ve been screaming for months that Cain ought to be fighting JDS, because their records were almost the same. But if a win over Big Nog doesn’t earn you a title shot, what does!
Talking shit about Lesnar to the media and winning a fake title over a guy that you kiss up to for months
Shameful matchmaking in my opinion. JDS-Cain would be a sick fight but both of them deserve a title fight and it’s pathetic they’re being overlooked in favour of a couple of shit talkers.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
Did Carwin shit-talk?
Drama > Talent
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Carwin only got a title shot in the first place by talking shit, that's why he was set to face Brock instead of Cain
He was talking non-stop about Brock being a terrible role model and how he wanted to beat him for the fans, it wasn’t as obnoxious as Mir’s but it was still annoying that saying these things got him big fights instead of actually earning them like JDS and Cain. Shame that the UFC cares more about drama than talent.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
yeah, i remember
i wasn’t upset about Carwin’s comments. I agreed with him. I’m not a Brock fan either. At least Carwin showed Brock some respect in saying that he should keep his belt while he’s sick, as u have to beat the champ. he also wished Brock all the best in his recovery. I started to really notice Mir’s shittalkin before his fight with Kongo. Kongo is a quiet, respectful fighter – a man just doin his job. Mir started insulting his talents. Brock at least deserved some comments, but Kongo is quiet. It just pisses me off how Mir uses the media, and he’s so dramatic with his one-liners. The UFC loves it, creates drama. I really hope Cain or JDS smash Mir and Brock.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Carwin's comments came AFTER the UFC started hyping him
as Lesnar’s next opponent. It’s not like he held a press conference to air his greivances, interviewers were asking him about Lesnar because he was being slated to fight Lesnar. A lot has happened since then to bring other contenders to the forefront, but at the time, Carwin seemed the only choice and was promised the shot.
Carwin started whining about Lesnar to the press straight after 100
He spoke more about Brock than about Cain back when they were supposed to fight and it’s no coincidence that the guy talking shit got fastracked to a title fight without having to fight a top contender instead of it going to the respectful guy who never once talked about Brock or his antics.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
completely agree David
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Both JDS and Cain...
… have beaten more names than Carwin, but he’s still ahead in the pecking order.
JDS has beat Werdum, Cro Cop and Yvel.
Cain has beat Rothwell, Kongo and Nog.
Carwin has beat Gonzaga……
Doesn’t make sense to me, especially considering that between these 3 and Mir, I can think of a mixup which would make for better fights:
JDS vs Carwin – Both KO power and untested ground games.
Cain vs Mir – Both decent kickboxers, with proven dangerous ground games.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
What's next for Bader?
I’m thinkin…Thiago Silva, Matt Hamill, or loser of Jones/Vera.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Thiago would be a good opponent at this point
He’s a top fighter coming off a loss and both have KO wins over Jardine. I’d like to see him face Bones or Vera as well, though he deserves to fight a better opponent than Hamill at this point.
"If I could change my name what would it be? Jesus"
Tito Ortiz (seriously...)
I think Hamill's very underrated
I think Hamill/Bader would be a good match-up. I would give that to Hamill. He got handled by Jones, but i think Jones is destined for greatness. His only “real” loss is to Rich Franklin. IMO, he beat Bisping.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
He got cheated against Bisping but got outclassed by Ace and Bones
Bader’s got better striking and wrestler-wrestler matches usually devolve into clumsy boxing. Bader’s got better power and will KO Hamill if they do fight, it would be a good match but I think that Bader earnt a step-up in competition after KO’g Jardine. Maybe Rashad will want to avenge this defeat haha, I’m a Rashad fan but it’s funny how he fights everyone after Jardine.
"Personally, apart from the guillotine, and I got dropped in the third round, but apart from the guillotine attempt off the takedown in the second round, as far as round two, I really didn't have any offense come my way. I felt I clearly won those two rounds."
Michael Bisping talking nonsense as usual.
I like Rashad too
I’m just gettin tired of him stickin’ up for Keith “Worst Nickname Ever” Jardine. I wanna see Rashad smash Rampage.
Hamill’s striking is alot better than Bader’s. Bader has these wide loopy punches, that take alot of energy and hardly hit the target, but they hit hard. Hamill is alot more technical.
I agree that Bader deserves a step-up in competition, but lets remember Jardine has lost 5 of his last 7 fights. There aren’t many guys in the LHW division who are available for a fight in about 4-5 months: Rashad’s tied up with Rampage. Thiago Silva is available, but i think that’s a big step up and i’d like to see Thiago face the winner of Vera/Jones.
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Same here, though Rampage is starting to grow on me again I'm hoping for a Rashad win
For some reason I can’t stay mad at Rampage or BJ, both of those guys have pissed me off greatly in the past but over time I’ve ended up forgiving them. I’m looking forward to Rashad-Rampage though, this long lay-off won’t have done Rampage any favours and he can’t continue to ignore his wrestling if he’s going to beat a top fighter like Rashad.
Jardine isn’t that bad and has faced top fighters but he is too easy to KO, his chin and striking defence are holding him back and he seems to be a lost cause now.
Bader’s striking is wild but I don’t rate Hamill’s either, he’s only looked good against other wrestlers with worse striking than him and got badly found out when he faced good strikers like Ace and Bones. Bader has more power and if he can become more disciplined with his strikes then I don’t see him having any problems beating Hamill.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Nah I want to see Lil Nog smash Forrest after his no-name comment
I’m also happy with Randy-Ace, they’re both legends who are trying to have one last run at the LHW title after having had success at other weights and they both match up well with each other. That fight is an easy sell because they’re both big names plus there’s some history between Couture and Franklin so there will be some bad blood involved.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Give him Hamill or the loser of Vera/Jones = Vera
Tito interviewing Babalu: "I want to tell me what you see, let's go ahead and see by the fight, what you saw, in the ring."
Tito interviewing Fedor: "Let me tell you how you feeling right now?"
Agreed.
Thiago vs Bader would be a good fight. I’d like to see that.
Bones vs Bader would be sweet too.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
After last nights display...
I’m sure a lot of fighters want Wanderlei Silva lol
"Why am I here? Why does my mind have wings? Why do blue midgets hit me with fish?!" - The Tick
How does Akiyama see to fight?
looks like he’d have to tape his eyelids open to even know who’s he’s fighting. Maybe he’s secretly blind and fights using echolocation like Daredevil. Wonder if he’s ever punched a ref.
what?
Fedor invented a language that incorporates Sambo and Kimuras.
So next time FEDOR is kicking your ass, don't be offended or hurt, he may be just trying to tell you he likes your hat.
No cardio? Eh?
How does almost finishing the fight at 14:50 mean that he has no cardio at 185? He gassed against Ace but his cardio was spot on last night, he was the one pushing the pace at the end of the rounds and you can’t do that if you’re tired. I have no idea what you’re talking about here.
"Not a lot of professional sports down here (in Australia)"
"We just had our best season (of TUF) last season and it was season 10"
"Nogueira is probabaly the best HW of all time"
Dana White, proving that he's clueless about Australian sports, has never heard of Fedor and is still trying to hype up TUF 10.
Dude...
His cardio in the Bisping fight was the best we’ve seen from him in a long time.
I think he looked good at 185. Sure he’s lost some power, but what he no longer has in one-punch KO power, he makes up for in power punches-in-bunches, and now that he has strong cardio, he can throw a lot of bunches.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
Akiyama is a good opponent for Wand but I don’t see easy time for the Axe Murderer at all. I’m happy for Silva but there’s too much to be done yet.
"Once Flamengo, Flamengo until die"
True.
There’s gonna be a lot of tough fights ahead for Wand.
I’d love to see him fight the winner of Cote vs Belcher, but Akiyama will do just nicely. That should be an epic fight, but each of those 3 guys possesses enough power to put Wandy away, be it in their hands or knees.
Unfortunately for Wand, all the top guys at 185 are huge, strong dudes with solid wrestling, i.e Marquardt, Sonnen and Okami. Each of those guys could lay on Wand all night.
It’s gonna be a tough road for the Axe Murderer.
Arlovski : Kang : GSP : Rampage : Lytle : Huerta : Quarry : Serra
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