SAITAMA, Japan – Prior to Saturday night, Yoshihiro Akiyama hadn’t tasted in victory in five years, two months and nine days. Yet at 39 years old, “Sexyama” insists he never once considered walking away from the sport. “I did not think anything about retirement,” Akiyama told MMAjunkie through an interpreter. “I always knew I was going to participate in another match, so I have kept practicing all the time.” A bona fide Asian superstar, Akiyama’s MMA career dates back to 2004, when he wrapped up an award-winning judo run to turn his attention to a new sport. After a storied career fighting in Asia, Akiyama made his way to the UFC in 2009, debuting at the promotion’s historic UFC 100 event.
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Despite five years without a victory, Yoshihiro Akiyama never considered retirement – MMA Junkie