UFC 116 – Rafael Cordeiro warns his friend, Wanderlei Silva not to overlook Yoshihiro Akiyama
Rafael Cordeiro, the long-time trainer and friend of UFC middleweight Wanderlei Silva, has warned people not to overlook Silva’s opponent, Yoshihiro Akiyama, ahead of their battle at UFC 116 on July 3rd in Las Vegas, Nevada.
Speaking via Tatame Magazine, Cordeiro said:
“He is doing the job right, he has to make one fight at a time. A champion can not think three fights ahead, the champion has to think of killing one lion a day. But if [any] two top athletes are in the same promotion and getting the right results the chances are good for a fight to happen.”
“I think every fighter thinks of the title shot and he is no different, I think in the future for sure he will be heading this way, victories are the natural way to get a title shot and that is something that every fighter aspires to. Wanderlei, well-trained and on a good night, can make it tough for anyone.”
Cordeiro believes Wanderlei will use his superior Muay Thai skills to keep the fight standing against the Judo expert Akiyama. Wanderlei has already twice defeated another strong judo practitioner in the shape of Hidehiko Yoshida and Cordeiro is expecting a stand up battle:
“I believe that Yoshida is even better than [Akiyama], because he was heavier, and yet Wanderlei gave him a really tough battle. But fighting is fighting. We are training a lot of Muay Thai and certainly Wanderlei is happy with that. We are doing other work on top of Muay Thai and intend that the fight is done standing.”
Akiyama made his promotional debut last July at the landmark UFC 100, defeating Alan Belcher via split decision. His only professional career loss came back in 2005 when he was knocked out by Jerome LeBanner. UFC 116: Lesnar vs. Carwin will take place at the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada on July 3rd. The event will feature a heavyweight title showdown between Brock Lesnar and Shane Carwin. For more news on this event, stay tuned to MMABay.
By Philip Simkins
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