UFC 120 Preview: Yoshihiro Akiyama Interview at Greg Jackson's MMA

by Nick Thomas on Sep 21, 2010 9:50 AM EDT in UFC News

At the 2:45 min mark:

"I am doing various training with Jackson's and it's going well. I do not practice Judo anymore. I am only training in general martial arts. (Michael) Bisping is a very tough and great fighter. I honestly respect him."

Main card:
Michael Bisping (19-3) -250 vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-2) +200
Dan Hardy (23-7) -170 vs. Carlos Condit (25-5) +140
John Hathaway (14-0) -525 vs. Mike Pyle (19-7-1) +375
Cheick Kongo (15-6-1) vs. Travis Browne (10-0)
James Wilks (7-3) vs. Claude Patrick (12-1)

Preliminary card:
Cyrille Diabate (16-6-1) vs. Alexander Gustafsson (9-1)
Rob Broughton (14-5-1) vs. Vinicius Kappke de Quieroz (5-1)
Steve Cantwell (7-3) vs. Stanislav Nedkov (11-0)
Paul Sass (10-0) vs. Mark Holst (8-2)
Spencer Fisher (23-6) vs. Kurt Warburton (6-1)
James McSweeney (4-5) vs. Tom Blackledge (10-6)

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I don’t really like that he’s not using Judo anymore. It seems a lot of fighters move to wrestling over judo and although he should definitely be working his wrestling, i think judo would help just as much in the clinch which is somewhere he’ll probably be with bisping and his knees.

by Chad Raynard on Sep 21, 2010 9:50 AM EDT reply actions

He didn’t say he’s not using it. He isn’t training formal Judo. The reason for this (if I had to guess based on personal experience) is that in judo, you come out injured pretty regularly, with broken toes being the most common injury. Personally as a fight comes near, I avoid judo. I still use it actively as I train, I just don’t throw on a gi and train in pure judo.

"I’m anti-stalling, not anti-wrestling." - lowellthehammer

by JaeeJaee on Sep 21, 2010 10:57 AM EDT up reply actions

Judo has always messed up my knees, personally. I think Akiyama’s Judo will stay at a high level for a long time without him actively training in it. It’s a mental timing thing, a perception thing. Right now, he needs to work on head movement and closing the distance, because Bisping throws jabs and runs.

I also really hope he’s using his time to improve that cardio, because his tank is atrocious.

by judonerd on Sep 21, 2010 11:12 AM EDT up reply actions

I like Akiyama in this fight. I am surprised by the odds.

by truck on Sep 21, 2010 10:15 AM EDT reply actions

I think it’s cause Bisping relies more on strategy. I gotta feeling he’ll box for 2 rounds then move in for the kill once Akiyama’s tired. Maybe even the 2nd round.

I can’t see the vid right now cause my job has a icy cold grip on my internet usage but if he’s training w/ Greg Jackson then I think his number one focus is to get Akiyama an improved cardio.

by Krimson on Sep 21, 2010 10:22 AM EDT up reply actions

Akiyama with a KO win would be so pretty though…

by truck on Sep 21, 2010 11:00 AM EDT up reply actions

I love Akiyama, but this is a bad matchup for him. He’ll have to win by KO because Bisping has a great sprawl, keeps his distance, and is impossible to hold down.

by judonerd on Sep 21, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

Truth, but I don't see Bisping getting out of these exchanges without eating some shots.

Akiyama can take a punch better than Mike and he hits harder, I don’t think Bisping will make it three rounds with out getting put on his ass a la Wandy.

Drink to remember, drink to forget.

by doonerthesooner on Sep 21, 2010 11:19 AM EDT up reply actions

Cue badass Silva/Bisping gif

by Krimson on Sep 21, 2010 11:35 AM EDT up reply actions

Maybe by Osoto Gari. I say this cause I learned that yesterday.

I can’t tell you how long it took me to find the name of that throw. But basically I was told to use it in BJJ but not in a bar cause you can KO someone and..you know…get arrested.

by Krimson on Sep 21, 2010 11:25 AM EDT up reply actions

It’s a good throw because you can stay standing, but you really gotta get your unbalancing perfect and get them onto that leg if you want to slam them with it.

by judonerd on Sep 21, 2010 12:08 PM EDT up reply actions

I hope Jackson isn't the one who planted the seed to not practice Judo

Even if Judo isn’t that effective in MMA its effective enough to practice and use against wrestlers

I’m not resting until I’m officially Anderson Silva status.- Jon "Bones" Jones

by AfroSamurai on Sep 21, 2010 10:27 AM EDT reply actions

Akiyama will be fine. He just has to work on his weaker skills. That judo will be there for him for a long time.

by judonerd on Sep 21, 2010 11:13 AM EDT up reply actions

I think he'll still use his Judo he just doesn't devote a bunch of time to it.

If his gas tank is up to par he should be Bisping. Akiyama gets hit alot but he will connect in exchanges and he’s got real power something Bisping doesn’t so I like him in this fight

Drink to remember, drink to forget.

by doonerthesooner on Sep 21, 2010 10:37 AM EDT reply actions