In a nicely translated interview featured on NightmareOfBattle.com, newly signed 185 lber. Yoshihiro Akiyama states that Alan Belcher, who was edged out on the score cards by Akiyama at UFC 100, was the most difficult opponent he's faced yet.

"Alan is the toughest fighter I have faced and I’m proud to have been able to fight him."

This lends a lot of credit to the UFC's talented roster, as Akiyama has faced the likes of feared striker Melvin Manhoef and star-grappler Denis Kang, the latter suffering his first UFC loss to Belcher.  Although Akiyama was the spotlighted fighter as a high-visibility signing for the UFC and the most beloved MMA fighter in Korea, Alan Belcher increased his fanbase by putting on an impressive display of tenacious and exciting striking, dropping Akiyama in the first with the same left hook that Kazuo Misaki tagged him with, and responding to Akiyama waving him in with a never-before-seen Superman punch after vaulting off the cage in the 3rd. It is also of worth to note that Akiyama was confused as the referee communicated the "5-minute respite" rule after an unintentional groin shot from Belcher, which left the Korean fighter believing that he had only 5 seconds to gather his wits.

"I wanted to take a large break but there was confusion during the fight. I misunderstood the referee saying 5 minutes in English as 5 seconds, I continued the fight urgently but this took a big toll on the exhaustion of my physical strength."

Many fans felt that Alan Belcher had done enough to warrant the decision, but at the very least, he proved that his star is still on the rise and that he will not be an easy fight for anyone.  Akiyama will certainly have many more exciting match-ups in the UFC, and the thought of facing off with fighters like Dan Henderson (who KO'd Bisping on the same evening), BJJ-based Thales Leites (who was formerly the #1 contender until losing to MW champ Anderson Silva), or the towering Yushin Okami (who has been slowly working his way through the fabric of the 185 lb. class) would generate a nice buzz for UFC fans everywhere.

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