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"They've made a cage here in Japan, and that's where I'm practicing to transition from the ring to the cage. The ring, with the ropes, will stretch, but in the cage, the mesh doesn't, so my defense and such are different...Alan is known to be good at striking, is young and is known to have a black belt. Alan Belcher also has more experience than I do, so really, I can't find a weakness in my opponent."
-Yoshihiro Akiyama speaks via translator to Sergio Non at USA Today on his upcoming bout with Alan Belcher at UFC 100.
Penick's Analysis: Akiyama is set to make his debut in the U.S. on July 11th and will be looking to avoid the the set backs many of his Japanese counterparts have experienced coming over to the cage. Having one built for training is a great start, but it'll be a whole different thing once he actually steps in there with Belcher. He clearly knows he's got a tough opponent on his hands and doesn't seem to be overlooking him at all either. This should be a good fight at the outset of the pay-per-view.
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