Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Thiago Alves Set for UFC 149 in Calgary
By Ryan Busuttil:
UFC 149 just got a whole lot sexier! In the midst of a 4 fight losing streak, Yoshihiro Akiyama will continue to fight in the Welterweight division as he takes on Thiago Alves at the summer event.
MMAFighting.com initially reported the fight earlier today, stating that both fighters have agreed to the bout.
UFC 149, the first UFC event in Calgary, Alberta, Canada, takes place on July 21st at the Scotiabank Saddledome. The event will be headlined by UFC Featherweight Champion, Jose Aldo, whose opponent has yet to be announced, and is expected to air on Pay-Per View. It is unknown if the Akiyama-Alves fight will be part of the main card or preliminary card.
Akiyama returns to action after losing a unanimous decision to Jake Shields in his Welterweight debut at UFC 143 in Japan back in February. He has not won a fight since a split-decision win over Alan Belcher at UFC 100 in July 2009, suffering losses to Chris Leben, Michael Bisping and Vitor Belfort prior to dropping to Welterweight to face Shields.
Alves will be looking to rebound from his loss to Martin Kampmann at UFC on FX 2 this past March. Alves was in control most of that fight before being submitted late in the third round. He is also in the midst of a tough stretch of fights, only winning 2 of his past 5 fights since losing to UFC Welterweight Champion George St. Pierre at UFC 100 in July 2009.
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Akiyama will get knocked out in his final fight with the UFC…..so sad
Why can’t he just can’t one opponent where we actually think he has a chance against!
Nice match up, this should be fireworks.
Akiyama looked good his last fight. He’ll be coming in guns blazing.
good maybe he will get cut after he loses, tired of hearing “sexyama” faggiest nickname of all time
good things hes sexy even in defeat.
God he jet never gets an easy fight.
God he just never gets an easy fight.
Akiyama lost to Shields in UFC 144, not 143.
He was robbed against Shields I believe he won
Glad I’m not the only person who thinks so..
Pitbull has this one easily!
Sexyama by looks.
This will be Akiyama’s last fight! Alves isnt losing after what happened against Kampman.. What i think they should do is bring Akiyama down to strikeforce, he has some what of following and maybe could bring some competition to that division over there..
this is sad news…
2 of my favorite fighters to watch. This should be an awesome fight. Unfortunately one of them will probably get their walking papers post fight
I like Akiyama and as an Asian fan i try to cheer Asian fighter s anyway but in my honest opinion. Akiyama always seems to come up short. for example..his last fight agaisnt shield. he tried too hard on that judo trip or throw. Come on man…this is MMA, ****ing get the fella down and submit him already. if not knock him out. I love both fighters and may the best man wins.