Yoshihiro Akiyama will make his welterweight debut against former number one contender Jake Shields. UFC officials announced the new bout on Monday morning. This fight is the second to be announced for the UFC’s return to Japan in February for UF C 144.
For years Akiyama has been told to drop down to 170lbs from his former home of 185lbs. He finally decided to make the cut following three consecutive losses at the ’85lbs weight class.
Shields who was on a 15 fight win streak prior to losing his last two fights to Georges St-Pierre and Jake Ellenberger will look to get back on the winning path.
The bout between Shields and Akiyama is the latest addition to the card after the main event bout between Frankie Edgar and Benson Henderson was announced at the post-fight press conference for UFC on Fox this past weekend.
