UFC 144 Japan: Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama

Next Saturday, the UFC returns to the “Land of the Rising Sun” to put on a stacked card at UFC 144. Japan was the Mecca of MMA at one point in time, hosting Pride FC, which was the premiere organization in the world. Now, the UFC is going back to the Saitama Super Arena to put on one of the biggest shows of the year so far.

Headlined by the Lightweight Championship on the line, the rest of the main card is filled with exciting fights. But the one that may carries just as much importance as the title fight is the bout between Jake Shields and Yoshihiro Akiyama.

In the blue corner you have Jake Shields. An American jiu-jitsu fighter looking to bounce back from two losses, Shields now is at a point where he desperately needs a win. With his fame and popularity, it is not likely he will be cut if he loses against Akiyama, but having three losses in a row puts you very far away from attaining a title shot.

In the red corner you have Yoshihiro Akiyama. The Asian superstar will be making his welterweight debut after losing three in a row at middleweight. An excellent striker and Judo practitioner, Akiyama will be looking for success at the new weight, and will avoid a dangerous situation in his career as well.

It’s rare for a fighter not to be cut after three losses, so taking a fourth loss might send Akiyama on his way out of the UFC. On the other hand, he has a big draw in the Asian public, and keeping him around might be another Dan Hardy situation where his ethnicity helps keep him afloat.

This fight will be determined on whether they fight mostly standing or mostly on the ground. If it stays standing, Akiyama holds a distinct advantage in the striking game. His judo should help him in close quarters, especially if Shields decides to try to take him down from a clinch or cage position.

via UFC “Quick Break”: Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama | Bleacher Report.