Vitor Belfort's Striking Will Prevail Against Yoshihiro Akiyama At UFC 133

My special series “A Closer Look” concludes its in-depth examination of the UFC 133 card today, highlighting both the co-main and main events of one of the most injury-plagued but still great-looking UFC cards in quite some time. Here’s a quick recap: Part 1 is available here, Part 2 can be seen here, Part 3 is right here, while Part 4 is up here, and Part 5 is here. Now it’s time to focus on a major Middleweight showdown where a win could end up having serious title implications for one of the fighters while almost certainly saving the career of the other. Let’s look at Vitor Belfort vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama.

The man known on the underground as “Sexyama” has been having a tough time getting on a win-streak in the UFC since making his high-profile debut on the star-studded UFC 100 card. Before ever stepping into the Octagon, Akiyama was already a major star and even a sex symbol in his native Japan, with a solid record of 10-1-0 with two No Contests backing him up. Unfortunately, his debut was filled with controversy as he beat Alan Belcher by Split Decision in a fight where Joe Rogan famously repeated “Alan Belcher got robbed” several times.

From there, Akiyama sat out almost a year in hopes of facing Wanderlei Silva. That fight never ended up happening, and Akiyama would end up losing to Chris Leben thanks to a third-round Hail Mary Triangle Choke. Following that performance, Akiyama fought Michael Bisping in his native England in the headlining attraction of UFC 120, once again losing the bout. Akiyama can probably take solace in the fact that although he’s 1-2 in the UFC, all three of those fights have earned “Fight of the Night” bonuses.

Akiyama faces arguably his toughest test in the UFC when he faces former champion Vitor Belfort. Belfort is far removed from the cocky young stud we saw win the UFC 12 Heavyweight Tournament, he’s even far removed from the battle-hardened veteran we saw win the UFC Light Heavyweight Championship in 2004. The new Vitor Belfort is a Middleweight, with fiery power in his hands and plenty of cardio that gives him the stamina to always remain a threat.

From 2007 to 2009, Belfort went on quite a rebirth and strung together five straight wins, with four (T)KO victories. He then sat on the sidelines in hopes of securing a fight with UFC Middleweight Champion Anderson Silva. Injuries from both men led to Belfort’s hiatus lasting well over a year, and when the bout finally happened, Anderson Silva KO’d Belfort with a spectacular Front Face Kick that many people considered one of the greatest “kick KO’s” of all time.

I hate to pick against Yoshihiro Akiyama, I really have nothing negative to say about him and I think he’s a very entertaining fighter. I also empathize with him fighting for his job against Belfort, since the UFC’s dreaded “three losses and you’re out” unwritten rule has been applied to everyone both up and down the card lately. But against Vitor Belfort, I’m going to have to pick against Akiyama.

Vitor Belfort is hungry, determined… he’s found that old fire again. Anyone can get caught, Belfort just happened to get caught with one of the greatest KO strikes I’ve ever seen. Belfort has the cardio and intelligence to not rush right out of the gate and spend all his energy trying for the quick KO. Belfort will tactically attack Akiyama, wearing him down and looking for that big bomb. Akiyama will be able to put up a defense and it’ll be a great fight, but in the end, Akiyama’s striking just isn’t as good as Belfort’s.

The only chance Akiyama has is to take this fight to the ground constantly, and while that’s possible, I just don’t see it happening. Unless Belfort catches lightning and nails that bomb, it’ll be a three-round war of attrition and Belfort’s striking will prevail.