Yoshihiro Akiyama

Yoshihiro Akiyama is one of the most famous mixed martial artists worldwide. Akiyama has fought in the UFC since 2009, but achieved most of his fame internationally. He won two Judo gold medals at the 2001 Asian Championships and 2002 Asian Games. In 2006, Akiyama captured the light heavyweight Grand Prix title at K-1 Hero’s 7 in Japan. At UFC 100, he won his first match in the Octagon and earned Fight of the Night honors for his decision victory over Alan Belcher. Akiyama won the fight despite suffering a broken orbital bone. His following two fights, both defeats, also earned Fight of the Night. Prior to entering the UFC, Aikyama had just one professional loss. In Japan, he had wins over fighters like Melvin Manhoef and Dennis Kang and no contest battles with Kazushi Sakuraba and Kazuo Misaki. He has his own gym back in Japan that trains fighters in Judo and MMA. Akiyama has been practicing Judo since three years old.