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Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan “The Talent” Belcher

by Stan Leung
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UFC 100
July 11th 2009 7 PM
Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan Belcher
UFC Betting Pick: Yoshihiro Akiyama

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UFC Middleweight Fight: Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Alan “The Talent” Belcher

Alan “The Talent” Belcher (14-5) got lucky against Denis Kang at UFC 93: Franklin vs. Henderson. He was beaten in ever facet of the fight yet he was able to pull a miracle submission. Belcher will need another miracle if he expects to come up on top when he faces UFC newcomer and well regarded top ten middleweight, Yoshihiro Akiyama (12-1).

Pound for pound Akiyama is a better fighter than Belcher. Yoshihiro Akiyama has battled and defeated better fighters in his career such as the legendary Kazushi Sakuraba, top ten middleweight fighter Melvin Manhoef, Kazuo Misaki which ended in a no contest and Denis Kang at HERO's 2007 in Korea. His only defeat in mixed martial arts is against a much heavier fighter in Jerome LeBanner, who knocked him out with knees in his second fight at the K-1 HERO'S 1. If you don’t know who Yoshihiro Akiyama is you are clueless about MMA. He is one of the numerous fighters in the middleweight division that have never fought in the UFC.

On an ability level Yoshihiro Akiyama is heads above Belcher. Akiyama is a top level world judo fighter and some of his accomplishments include:

• All-Japan Collegiate Separate Weight Divisions 2nd Place 1996
• All-Japan Industry Judo Singles 81 kg Champion 2001
• Kodokan Cup Japan Judo Championship 81 kg Champion 2001
• Japan International Judo Tournament 81 kg Champion 2002
• Paris International Judo Tournament 81 kg Champion 2002
• Asian Games Judo 81 kg Champion 2002 (in Busan)
• All-Japan Invitational Judo Championship Separate Weight Divisions 81 kg Champion 2003
• World Judo Championship 81 kg Japan Representative 2003

Akiyama not only has a great takedown game but his grappling game is also very solid. While fighting against some very good technical fighters, 12 of his 7 wins have come by submission. In both the stand up and ground game Akiyama is very strong. The only top level fighter Belcher has ever fought was Denis Kang where he was dominated in every aspect of the fight--Akiyama was able to KO Kang at HERO’s 2007.

Akiyama is known for his judo and grappling yet he is a very dangerous striker. Though Belcher is known for his Muay Thai skills, Akiyama has very fast hands and will not be threatened by any aspect of Belcher’s stand up game.

Controversy has always followed Akiyama, as he has been accused of wearing slippery gear by former world and Olympic champion Kenzo Nakamura when they fought at the world championship trials in 2002 while in MMA he has been known as a dirty fighter. When he went against Kazushi Sakuraba he was found to be using some sort of body oil or lubricant and the fight was declared a no contest.

When Akiyama steps in the UFC he will be booed and considered an underdog—this is no surprise as Akiyama has always been seen as the bad guy in MMA. In Japan he is unpopular and considered to be non honourable and a cheat. Because of his antics and the fact that Akiyama is fouth-generation Korean-Japanese, he is considered an outcast not only in Japan but in Korea as well. Akiyama tends to fight with a chip on his shoulder--he is very aggressive and does not fight like many judokas. In 2006 he won the K-1 HERO'S Light Heavyweight tournament and now has his sights set on the UFC though in a very weak division.

In all honesty, this MMA matchup report is all about Akiyama and for good reason--he is one of the best middleweights in the world. Both Akiyama and Gegard Mousasi are fighters that can take on Anderson Silva—are Belcher and Anderson Silva regarded in the same class? The answer is ‘no’. Alan Belcher was lucky in his last fight and it is unlikely he will be so fortunate against Akiyama this time round. In the past Japanese fighters have had bad luck in the UFC and the octagon but Akiyama will be the exception. He is not the typical Japanese fighter and because of his background is already accustomed to the hostile environment that typically surrounds his fights.

Bottom Line: Belcher does not stand a chance in this fight. As of yet, the online sports betting odds have not been released for this event but the MMA betting lines should be close as online sportsbook oddsmakers are clueless when it comes to the MMA. Sportsbook oddsmakers might get it right and have Akiyama down as the favorite, but personally I would put open up with Akiyama as a -300 favorite.

Whatever the odds are for this fight I would bet heavily on this fight. Akiyama is definitely a top ten fighter and may even be regarded as a top 5 fighter by some, while at best, Belcher is among the top 25. He was lucky against Kang in his last fight as he was consistently dominated in the stand up, takedowns and in the grappling but Kang gassed due to this being his first time in the UFC. This will not be the case for Akiyama.

For all UFC sports bettors out there, take heed, Yoshihiro Akiyama is one of the best fighters currently out there and I would lay a huge chunk on an Akiyama submission. Akiyama will expose the many weaknesses of Belcher and take control for the fight in the stand up or on the ground.

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