Yoshihiro Akiyama: MMA and Beyond
Yoshihiro “Sexyama” Akiyama built a long career across judo, mixed martial arts, and entertainment. A decorated judoka before turning professional, he later competed in K-1 HERO’S, the UFC, and ONE Championship. His record includes hard-fought UFC bouts, a late-career resurgence in ONE, and a planned final MMA appearance scheduled for November 2026.
From judo champion to MMA
Born in Osaka on July 29, 1975, Akiyama began judo as a child and became an international-level competitor. He won gold at the 2001 Asian Judo Championships while representing South Korea, then took gold for Japan at the 2002 Asian Games. He made his MMA debut in 2004 and rose to prominence in Japan’s K-1 and HERO’S events. In 2006, he won the HERO’S middleweight tournament, a milestone that established him as a top crossover fighter.
UFC and ONE Championship
Akiyama joined the UFC in 2009, making his debut against Alan Belcher at UFC 100. He won a split decision, then faced a run of notable opponents including Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Vitor Belfort, and Jake Shields. His bout with Leben at UFC 116 ended in a late submission loss and earned Fight of the Night honors. After leaving the UFC, Akiyama continued his career in ONE Championship. He stopped Sherif Mohamed in 2020 and scored a second-round TKO of Shinya Aoki at ONE X in 2022. ESPN lists his professional MMA record as 16–7; ONE’s athlete profile and ESPN’s stats page summarize his recent record.
Recent bouts and scheduled farewell
At ONE 165 in January 2024, Akiyama faced kickboxing champion Nieky Holzken under special rules: boxing in round one, Muay Thai in round two, and MMA in round three. Holzken stopped him during the opening boxing round, before the contest reached the later rulesets. The official preview explains the format, and Sherdog’s fight report records the finish.
Akiyama’s final MMA bout is scheduled against Chris Leben at BLACK COMBAT 17 in Seoul on November 21, 2026. It will revisit their UFC 116 matchup from 2010. The event has been announced as Akiyama’s retirement fight; the result is still pending. Sherdog’s announcement gives the date and venue.
Akiyama’s career stands out for its range: championship-level judo, high-profile MMA fights across three major promotions, and a willingness to take on new challenges well into his fifties. His final bout will add one more chapter to a career that has crossed generations and combat-sport rulesets.
Sources
ONE’s athlete profile; ESPN’s stats page; Career or result cross-check.
Article Tags
Yoshihiro Akiyama, Mixed Martial Arts, Sports History
