A career in the fight business is one that comes with a fair amount of give and take.
On one side of the scale, there is money and a notable amount of fame or public recognition that will hopefully yield other opportunities to make more of the prior, but on the opposite side, there are physical tolls where payments are required.
Fighting is a gritty trade by nature, but it’s hardly the bumps, bruises and abrasions suffered on fight night in the quest for glory that linger. Those wounds heal rather quickly in most cases, and what amplified adrenaline won’t take care of in the immediate aftermath, a few days of “R and R” certainly will.
That said, the road traveled just to make it to the bright lights on the contracted date is often times a rigorous journey and one Amir Sadollah knows all too well.
With a fighting style that favored the scrap and an offbeat but humorous personality, The Ultimate Fighter Season 7 winner immediately became a fan favorite when he emerged on the scene in 2008. Immediately following his stint on the reality-based fighting program, the New York native dropped down a weight class and jumped into the deep waters of the UFC’s welterweight division. The next four years would come with a mixture of victories and setbacks, but all the gym time in between those showings started to add up in a major way.
When the Xtreme Couture fighter steps in to face Yoshihiro Akiyama at Fight Night 52 this Saturday night in Saitama, Japan, it will be the first live action the 34-year-old has seen in over two years. That is a long time to be away from any professional realm as an athlete, but Sadollah isn’t one to focus on the negative.
Instead, the Las Vegas transplant found a few silver linings to latch onto along the way and feels his time on the sidelines allowed him to get things back to where they needed to be.
“I was just talking to my coach the other day about how the fight game is just as much mental as it is physical,” Sadollah told Bleacher Report.
“It was unfortunate to be on the shelf as long as I have been, but I’ve also been fortunate to still be in the game here and there. I was able to teach a little bit at a school in New York, and even though I was physically unable to fight, that helped me participate and stay connected to fighting.
“You do what you can, but some times you actually learn more from a break. When you step away from things then come back, things can look a little more clear than they once did.
“That time away also showed me just how banged up I really was. But hot yoga is the secret. For real, man. I believe in it as much as I can believe in anything and tell as many people as I can about it. For some reason it’s not the easiest thing for people to get into, but once you do, it is really great for you. It doesn’t help so much with the martial arts side of things but everything else I think it does.
“I’ve categorized this in my mind where it’s not a comeback or a fresh start, it’s just all cumulative,” he added. “Life is crazy, and I see everything that happens as all being a part of the journey if that makes sense.”
When Sadollah does finally make his return to the sport’s biggest stage this Saturday night, it will come against an opponent who has also been out of action for quite some time. The last event where Akiyama‘s name was on the billing came at UFC 144 back in February 2012, when he lost a unanimous decision to Jake Shields in his official welterweight debut.
Nevertheless, Sadollah is expecting the storied Japanese fighter to bring his signature brand of intensity to the fight, and he believes their respective styles are a solid formula for an entertaining tilt for the fans. Yet, in addition to the possibility of an interesting stylistic squabble, Sadollah is also prepared to face the legendary handsomeness “Sexiyama” brings to the table.
While preparing for such an attribute is an unorthodox practice, the former TUF winner believes he has his own firepower in that department.
“I’m excited about the fight and think it’s a really great matchup,” Sadollah said. “We both like to scrap, and that should make an exciting fight for the fans. I’m really amped up to fight. I’ve always wanted to fight in Japan, and Akiyama is a great opponent to do that with. I’m looking forward to getting out there and mixing it up with him.
“As soon as I heard about the fight I was excited. Anytime you can go out there and fight a guy that has a name or notoriety in this sport, and do it in a place like Japan, those things would be impossible for me not to get excited about. I think it’s going to be a good one.
“I don’t think his handsomeness is going to help,” he added. “I don’t know if it’s going to hurt, but I’m pretty damn handsome myself so we’ll see how that is going to affect him. When you have two handsome immovable objects collide…we are just going to have to see what happens. It could just be a freakin‘ spectacular display of handsomeness.”
Returning to the Octagon is a moment Sadollah has been looking forward to for the past two years, but competing in Japan is something he’s had on his wish list since his MMA career began. Both of those milestones will become reality on Sept. 20, and Sadollah isn’t one to let opportunity slip through his fingers.
He acknowledges the hectic nature of fight week will limit his time to take in the wonders Japan has to offer, but if he gets the chance to let all of his talents shine, he intends to leave the Japanese people with the show they have all been waiting for.
“I’m going there to fight, so I’m obviously excited about that, but I’ve always wanted to go to Japan and I’ve always appreciated the Japanese culture,” Sadollah said. “Granted, being in a place during fight week isn’t the same as going to visit, but I’m definitely looking forward to taking in as much as I can. I just may go to one of those karaoke bars people are always talking about and just belt out something amazing.
“That’s a damn fine question and one I can answer. I would start with ‘Come on Eileen,’ then I’d bring the house down with ‘Bohemian Rhapsody’ by Queen. I like to get everyone going then bring it to a dramatic close, and what better way to do than with that song? I would also like to say I’d throw in some Michael Jackson in between, but that’s hard to pull off for anyone that isn’t me.”
Duane Finley is a featured columnist for Bleacher Report. All quotes are obtained firsthand unless noted otherwise.
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