UFC 144 will mark the return of the world’s largest mixed martial arts promotion to the land of the rising sun as the UFC holds its first event in Japan since UFC 29.
On this historic card will be a very intriguing welterweight bout featuring two former middleweights that will be fighting for their jobs as former Strikeforce Middleweight champion Jake Shields takes on Japanese superstar Yoshihiro Akiyama.
Both men are coming off tough, knockout losses and are riding losing streaks that force both men into a must-win situation.
Here is an early breakdown of this exciting welterweight bout.