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Yoshihiro Akiyama vs. Vitor Belfort booked for UFC 133 in Philadelphia

3K views 47 replies 37 participants last post by  boxingmmagoon 
#1 ·
A tantalizing matchup between middleweight superstars Yoshihiro Akiyama (13-3 MMA, 1-2 UFC) and Vitor Belfort (19-9 MMA, 8-4 UFC) has been booked for UFC 133.

UFC president Dana White today revealed the booking to ESPN .

White also confirmed the long-rumored Aug. 6 event will take place in Philadelphia. The city's Wells Fargo Center is expected to host the pay-per-view event.

"Verbal agreements are in for a battle between two of the most exciting fighters in the middleweight division," White told ESPN. "Coming off three straight 'Fight of the Night' performances, Yoshihiro Akiyama will take on former UFC light-heavyweight champion Vitor Belfort in Philadelphia."

Despite his stature in the sport, Akiyama likely finds himself in a must-win situation. Despite a history of entertaining octagon contests, Akiyama has dropped consecutive outings to Michael Bisping and Chris Leben, and his lone UFC win came via controversial split decision in a UFC 100 bout with Alan Belcher.

Belfort fights for the first time since a UFC 126 knockout loss to current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva. Belfort had been linked to a "UFC: Rio" bout with Wanderlei Silva, but "The Axe Murderer" instead successfully lobbied for a summer matchup with Leben.

Bad match-up for The Sexy one ..Belfor going to dominate him .
 
#5 ·
yeah agreed, they've been giving Akiyama fighters that are better and better lol.When he continues to lose...
 
#8 ·
I think it sounds like a good idea to me and I'm excited about it. I like both guys but Vitor might be gun shy after getting waxed in his last fight and Akiyama needs to prove he can hang with the big boys. Could be a great fight and if not it'll be an awesome knockout, lol. Either way, it'll be a fun fight for me!
 
#10 ·
I mentioned Akiyama as a likely opponent for Vitor yesterday. It was always gonna be that or Bisping imo.

This is a good fight for Belfort and i honetly think he will KO Akiyama in the 1st.
Especially if Akiyama comes into this fight like he did in his last two.

I'm a bit sorry for Vitor, he didn't get to fight in Rio, but i believe the UFC will hold other events in Brazil from now on. Maybe it will be a motivation for Vitor to move forward.
 
#11 ·
Lol Akiyama lost to Leben then he gets Bisping he loses to Bisping he gets Vitor, if he loses to Vitor he will get Anderson Silva :D This makes sense but not logically.
 
#12 ·
For his sake, i hope Greg Jackson has Aki fighting the way he should, with his strengths. If he shows up and dosen't go full retard headhunter, and actually, i don't know, uses his Judo, he could make it a good fight. if not its gonna be another fun to watch 3 round boxing show.
 
#25 ·
Are you in love with Bisping ? literally you cannot stop mentioning his name in threads that arent anything to do with him.

For the record Bisping has and would beat both of these guys:thumb02:
 
#19 ·
Vitor may not have won a MW fight in the UFC but regardless, he is coming off a title fight and Akiyama shouldn't really be fighting him, he's lost his last two fights but a win over Vitor would propel him strongly.

Not saying I think he'd beat Vitor, but Akiyama has more to gain from this than Vitor does, undeservedly.
 
#20 ·
Judging by Akiyama's showing in the UFC so far, he is not going to be able to handle the striking of Belfort. He hits too hard and too fast...

On the other hand, we really haven't seen much of Belfort for a while. He was waiting for the Silva fight for a long time, and then we didn't see very much from him in that fight either due to the death kick.

If the Belfort that fought Franklin shows up, Akiyama is getting KO'd.
 
#24 ·
Akiyama should attack immediately with a front high kick, like within the first 10 seconds. It would scare the shit out of Vitor, I don't think he'd be able to recover mentally throughout the rest of the fight. Theres a game plan for you Jackson.
 
#33 ·
...I'm a legend fan for Vitor but no way am I counting out Akiyama. He has a proven iron chin with legit KO power. His fight with Leben (even though he lost) proved a lot. He ate multiple Leben left hooks that have flatlined many fighters. I want Vitor to win badly but Akiyama will be a huge test. Vitor would need one of his classic flurries to hurt or finish Yoshihiro. This fight has explosive written all over it. Great match-up...:thumbsup:

<<<<<<hehe Whoever mentioned throwing a frontkick at Vitor...lol!
 
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