UFC 144: Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama, a Head-to-Toe Breakdown

Jake Shields and Yoshihiro Akiyama started 2011 off on different paths, but now those paths cross at UFC 144 in Saitama this Saturday.

Shields is coming off of a two-fight losing streak with losses over UFC Welterweight Champion Georges St-Pierre and Jake Ellenberger, while Akiyama is on a three fight skid after losses to Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, and Vitor Belfort.

The drop to Welterweight was more or less the deal that the UFC brass struck with Akiyama, which would in turn allow Akiyama to see at least one more fight in the UFC.

Will UFC 144 be the last time we see Akiyama in the UFC, and if not, what will become of Shields with a loss in Japan?

Now ladies and gentlemen, for your personal consideration, here is your head to toe breakdown of UFC 144's Welterweight showdown of Jake Shields vs. Yoshihiro Akiyama.

Striking: No Question of Who Has the Edge

Striking, by default, is never Jake Shields' biggest strength, unless he's fighting a welterweight with notoriously non-existent striking skills.

That, plus Shields has admitted that Yoshihiro Akiyama's biggest strength in this fight is his boxing, but that we are going to see Shields strike some in this fight.

Jake, we like you buddy boy, but striking with Akiyama after publicly saying that he has one-punch power in his hands?

I don't know if that's a wise choice.

Maybe we're making much ado about a decent-at-best striking game from the Judoka, but we've seen Akiyama strike and we've seen him land some hard shots before.

Akiyama can throw, he can land and even though he's humble enough to not overlook Shields in any aspect of the fight. He's also not facing a K-1 level of striker.

Shields can always improve his game and prove us wrong, but until we see something, we can't give him too much credit over Akiyama.

The Ground Game: Shields' BJJ and Wrestling vs. Akiyama's Judo

Judo was the art form of combat that really spawned the art of Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, which is why some people tend to get enthralled whenever a clash of Judo vs. Jiu-Jitsu is signed for any fight card.

Of course, there's one intangible we haven't (and won't) mention outside of this part of the breakdown, and that's the size of both men.

Akiyama made a test cut to 170 pounds before he took the fight with Shields, and he seems able to make the weight okay, but he's facing a big welterweight and former Strikeforce middleweight champion in Shields.

I'd like to give it to Akiyama based on his Judo, and I do believe he can find a way to get Shields down if need be, but Shields' size and the takedown defense of the former amateur wrestler, Jiu-Jitsu ace and former Strikeforce middleweight champion might just be a bit much for Akiyama.

As far as the ground game goes, it all depends on who gets it to the ground first, but if Shields' wrestling prevails first, it'll be tough for even a 170-pound Akiyama to fight Shields off.

The Weight Cut: Will It Have Any Effect on Akiyama's Performance?

The weight cut you see before you was a test cut that Akiyama made before he committed to making a serious drop to welterweight.

Once this picture started circulating around the net, general consensus supported a move to welterweight, as the drop in weight meant a possibility of better cardio, more quickness and a more natural weight class in which to exercise his Judo.

We may not know about what effect the weight cut has on Akiyama's Judo game against an elite welterweight like Shields (albeit, one that's likely gone with a loss in Japan), but we should expect a much faster Akiyama, and one that could cut Shields off at a few good angles if he comes in with some footwork to throw Shields off.

The Verdict

If it were anywhere else in the world, all signs would probably point to a Shields win by either a submission or a decision, unless Shields could pin Akiyama up against the cage and deliver some knees to the body before finishing Akiyama.

Unlikely?

Maybe, but so is Shields beating Akiyama in Japan, unless he makes it a clear three-round destruction, or unless he submits Akiyama in the first round.

Otherwise, it's the hometown favorite and his new 170-pound frame who uses his strengths and perhaps even some newfound speed to throw Shields from his gameplan before going in for the kill.

Shields may survive early in the fight, but Akiyama will have the sense to keep his composure and not blow his adrenaline out early, using his boxing to dictate the action and finishing in the second round.

Winner: Akiyama by Second Round TKO (punches)