In the fourth bout of the seven-fight UFC 144 main card, Jake Shields was unable to get Yoshihiro Akiyama to the ground for most of the fight but still managed to handily outstrike him on his way to picking up a unanimous decision victory. All three judges scored it 30-27. Akiyama showed off some flashy judo, getting a cool footsweep in the first and another solid takedown in the second, but couldn't capitalize on either and didn't throw enough strikes to win any round. Shields outlanded Akiyama almost 3-1 over the 15 minutes and that was enough for the judges.

Shields spent the first and second round alternating between landing kicks and jabs and attempting takedowns, all of which were repelled by Akiyama. Akiyama landed a couple of hard shots and the takedowns, but Shields was the busier fighter. The third was more of the same, until Shields finally got a hold of Akiyama's back against the cage. Akiyama grabbed the cage twice to avoid the takedown (which honestly deserved a point deduction), but Shields got him down anyway and finished in full control of Akiyama's back, looking for a choke. All of that added up to a Shields W.

What was the high spot of this fight?

Akiyama's footsweep in the first round was amazing. He tried it again in the second unsuccessfully, but pulled over another nice judo throw later in the round.

Where do these guys go from here?

Shields was able to break his two-fight losing streak and stay afloat in the top tier of the UFC welterweight division. He will likely get another top opponent next, but it could be any number of guys. Personally, I would like to see him face Jon Fitch.

Akiyama has now lost four bouts in a row and is in danger of being released. Dana White was non-committal in regards to the issue at the post-fight press conference, but I have a feeling that he'll get one more chance at welterweight. Who he could face is anyone's guess though.

Watch it now, later or never?

Later. The bout was interesting, but certainly not as action-packed as other bouts on the card.

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