Yoshihiro Akiyama no longer under FEG.

On December 11th, controversial, yet immensely popular judoka Yoshihiro Akiyama, updated his blog regarding his shocking non-participation at the Dynamite!! 2008 event and where his future holds from here on:

“My contract with FEG expired on the end of November. Even though talking it over, we couldn't reach an agreement on the fight in Dynamite. Unfortunately, I cannot fight in Dynamite this year. I'm disappointed because I really wanted to participate in.

I will start negotiations with MMA events about my contract next year, and I don't know where I fight next year for now. Thank you for always supporting me."

This now leaves Akiyama without an MMA promotion to call home anymore. Many questions are raised in regards to the judoka netizens famously call "Sexyama", such as why agreements couldn't be made in regards to his participation at Dynamite!!. According to K-1 Event Producer Sadaharu Tanikawa, FEG officials had given a list of ten candidates for Akiyama to choose from as his opponent for Dynamite!!. Nobody knows who were in that list and nobody knows what else were discussed, which of course raised the question as to why Akiyama's contract was simply terminated without renewing it?

It is very questionable as Akiyama had been one of FEG's top drawing MMA fighters ever since he made his debut at K-1 Premium 2004 Dynamite!!, submitting Francois Botha with an armbar and also headlining the very first HERO'S event in 2005, losing to Jerome LeBanner. His career came to a halt during the now infamous match between Kazushi Sakuraba and himself at the main event of K-1 Premium 2006 Dynamite!!, where he was caught using skin cream to treat his dry skin. The incident led to his suspension throughout the year where he was able to finally make his return at the final HERO'S show ever in Korea, defeating highly touted fighter Denis Kang.

His drawing power was very evident in the last two DREAM events, DREAM.5 and DREAM.6, where his fights against Katsuyori Shibata and Masanori Tonooka were the highest rated segments as far as television ratings are concerned, so obviously so many questions are raised over this matter. Sadly, ever since the controversial incident involving Sakuraba, Akiyama was continuously heckled and booed by the fans everytime he makes his entrance to the ring, making him hated over in Japan, but well-loved in Korea and especially in western countries, where he is treated as a cult figure.

Problems arose when Akiyama suddenly sent out a challenge to judo Olympic Gold Medalist, Hidehiko Yoshida. Yoshida currently competes for the SENGOKU promotion and Akiyama has expressed his strongest desires to face him in a match. This angered several fighters, especially Shinya Aoki, who challenged Akiyama to a match at Dynamite!!. Akiyama however never showed any interest in facing Aoki despite Aoki calling him out numerous times on his blog and on MMA radio interviews. With Akiyama now gone from FEG, it seems that SENGOKU might probably be Akiyama's next stop. Not only will he be able to fight Yoshida, but he will also be able to exact revenge on Kazuo Misaki, who humiliated Akiyama during their match at Yarennoka! back in December 2007.

Last month, Akiyama made a trip to Las Vegas to attend UFC 91 where Brock Lesnar captured the UFC Heavyweight Title from Randy Couture. Having attended his first UFC event, Akiyama was impressed by the atmosphere and the fights that took place that night. Prior to his visit, rumors were circulating around regarding the possibility of Akiyama jumping over to the UFC as it was said that UFC President Dana White had interest to further expand the number one MMA organization to Japan and Korea. If he does, it would be a huge risk for Akiyama as it is not known how he would be treated if he does sign with the UFC.

It remains to be seen where Akiyama will end up by the time 2009 rolls in, but MMA fans will realize that whichever MMA organization that is able to acquire the 2006 HERO'S Light Heavyweight Champion will gain a lot from his services. As for whether or not Akiyama would ever return to DREAM, never say never.

Sources: Sherdog, MMAFighting.com and Judo-Saiko.com