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13/10/09 - Akiyama says he and Wanderlei are set to fight
Yoshihiro Akiyama has told a UFC press conference in Japan that he will face Wanderlei Silva in early 2010. The fight may take place as the main event of UFC 111, which is pegged for Sydney, Australia.
Akiyama says that the fight will take place at 185 pounds, according to a Sherdog report, but the Japanese middleweight would apparently rather fight in Las Vegas.
There is the potential for the fight to take place in Las Vegas, however an Australian venue for the fight is logical in light of the country’s proximity to Japan and Silva’s high-profile status.
He has already been used as a headliner in a foreign country to great success (UFC 99, Germany) and the UFC will not have missed the rapturous reception he got from European fans.
Akiyama has been rumoured as Silva’s next opponent for some time now, but neither has spoken publicly of the match before today. It will be Silva’s first match as a UFC middleweight, having previously campaigned at 205 lbs.
Holding a 13-1 record with two no contests, Akiyama was a controversial figure in his native Japan thanks to several allegations of greasing and foul play. He made his UFC debut at UFC 100, beating Alan Belcher by way of split-decision.
Silva is 32-10-1 and is a legend in the MMA world. Despite this, he has gone 1-3 in his four fights since joining the UFC and desperately needs a win.
John Joe O’Regan
John.fightersonly@gmail.com
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