Three of Japan’s best known MMA stars will feature on the UFC Fight Night 52 event in the Saitama Super Arena on September 20th.
Despite having four losses in a row and not having competed since a UFC event in Japan back in February of 2012, the promotion have called back Yoshihiro Akiyama to compete again in the Octagon.
Like Akiyama, Norifumi ‘Kid’ Yamamoto also hasn’t competed since that same show back in 2012 which marked his fifth defeat in six fights, but his popularity in Japan has no doubt helped his case to get another crack at the whip in the upcoming September show.
Finally, faring considerably better than his fellow Japanese cohorts with three wins in his last four fights, Takanori Gomi will also feature on the card, coming off a decision win over Isaac Vallie-Flagg in April.
One other Japanese star who the UFC will have to do without though is Tatsuya Kawajiri who had been earmarked for the event, but has suffered a detached retina in training.
Nonetheless, the event looks like being one of the strongest ‘UFC Fight Pass’ offerings to date with Roy Nelson Vs Mark Hunt headlining, while Miesha Tate will also feature on the card going up against the undefeated ‘Queen Of Pancrase’ Rin Nakai.
