Yoshihiro Akiyama Goes Down

more images

LAS VEGAS (GaeaTimes.com)- Yoshihiro Akiyama had to bow down to the brute force of the unpredictable Chris Leben on the July 3 clash between the two in the UFC 116. The International star and Japanese-Korean Judo saw himself becoming helpless against the tireless and relentless Chris Leben who has truly proved himself the ultimate brawler in the recent years. Coming into the game after the win against Aaron Simpson, Chris Leben used a technique similar to that game to submit Yoshihiro Akiyama in the third round with a triangle choke.

The first round started well for the Japanese star as he showed his Judo skills to thrown Chris Leben to the mat. The latter fought most of the round on his back and showed very little signs of tiring. By the second round the fighters started exchanging blows. Chris Leben again proved himself to be one of the toughest guys around in this round as he took blow upon blow on his chin without going on the ground. Yoshihiro Akiyama showed his discomfort in handling the pace of the fight with Chris Leben. By the third round Chris Leben looked much more in control and Yoshihiro Akiyama quite tired. After an exchange of blows, Chris Leben tried an arm-bar that Yoshihiro Akiyama escaped from. However the subsequent triangle choke caught Yoshihiro Akiyama and he finally had to tap with half a minute left on the clock.

The fight between Yoshihiro Akiyama and Chris Leben was the other fight that won the ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus. Each fighter was therefore awarded an $75000 extra apart from their basic salaries.