Japanese star Yoshihiro Akiyama is going to get another bout in the UFC despite having lost four fights in a row. According to a report by MMA Fighting's Mike Chiappetta, Akiyama will face Thiago Alves at a UFC event in July, possibly UFC 149.

Akiyama recently lost his first fight at Welterweight to Jake Shields at UFC 144 by unanimous decision. Prior to that he had lost three straight at Middleweight to Vitor Belfort, Michael Bisping and Chris Leben. His overall UFC record is 1-4 and his MMA record is 13-5 with 2 No Contests.

Alves has gone 2-3 since dropping a decision to Georges St. Pierre in a title fight at UFC 100 in 2009. He most recently lost by submission ot Martin Kampmann in a fight many felt he was winning until falling into a guillotine choke late in the third round.

Alves' brutal Muay Thai striking will be a challenge for the Judo-based Akiyama who seemed to have no answer for Jake Shields on the feet.