Clip of the Day: The Beauty of Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Kazuo Misaki
by Luke Thomas on Oct 30, 2008 8:10 PM EDT
in MMA News
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One of my favorite rivalries. A huge part of me hopes a rematch in America can be arranged. In any case, this video is fantastic and must be watched by all those invested in this "beef".
And I know Akiyama is deplored by the Japanese, but how do you hate a fighter who enters the ring to "Con Te Partiro"?
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Akiyama vs. Misaki
Great vid, Luke. Any idea why Akiyama is so disliked by the Japanese? Don’t know the history here.
When Akiyama fought Sakuraba, he was accused of applying too much lotion before the fight to make himself slippery. Throw in the Japanese/Korean situation and you have yourself a man Japanese love to hate.
Right. Akiyama has a Korean parent and was a Korean national until he changed his nationality and name to Yoshihiro Akiyama. And even before the Sakuraba incident he’d been accused of greasing in major judo tournaments. In short, he’s known as a Korean cheater now trying to be Japanese. Not good, but we love him here.
by Luke Thomas on Oct 30, 2008 10:21 PM EDT up reply actions
Having Misaki vs. Akiyama II in America would be a total waste. Akiyama is one of the biggest draws in Japanese MMA but both he and Misaki are virtually unknown in the states. No one who could afford Akiyama’s purse has any interest in him.
On top of that, their entire rivalry is based on Japanese Nationalism (or just anti-Korean sentiment) that would be totally lost on American audiences.
Seriously, man, think about yourself. I know I am. I want to actually be there for their rematch which makes having it in the U.S. significantly more feasible. Is having their rematch a waste in the U.S.? Not as far as it affects me.
My wife will grow a third tit from her asshole before you get to watch Akiyama fight Misaki in the United States.
by George Lucas on Oct 30, 2008 11:37 PM EDT up reply actions
Bas vs. Con Te Partiro
I loved how Bas sang along at Akiyama’s Dream 5 entrance. Personally, I love watching Akiyama fight and would love to see him fight in North America. The guy always delivers. Plus, my Canadian-Korean background kind of lends me to be biased. A guy like Akiyama, while not well known in North America, could be money in the bank for UFC international expansion hopes.
sweet video
becoming a big akiyama fan. dude has got some swagger and even more skill…that would draw some attention in america. could be the first japanese fighter to make a real splash in the UFC. but yes this rematch still has waayyy more meaning in japan.
And I know Akiyama is deplored by the Japanese, but how do you hate a fighter who enters the ring to "Con Te Partiro"?
And wears such a nice cut of suit? Dude is a fuckin playa.
I’m a big Akiyama fan, although I didn’t know until now about the controversies he has had with allegedly applying oil to himself or his gi’s before fights.
Anyway, that video was pretty cool. Something about the pagentry and massive scale of some of these asian promotions tugs at the ole heart strings.
"I'm a man who discovered the wheel and built the Eiffel Tower out of metal and brawn. That's what kind of man I am." - Ron Burgundy
by monkeyfightclub! on Oct 31, 2008 8:46 AM EDT reply actions
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