Last Thursday, FEG held a press conference in a luxurious Imperial Hotel in the Ginza district of Tokyo, and announced the official judging in regards to the Kazushi Sakuraba - Yoshihiro Akiyama fight on New Year's Eve. At a press conference, Gen Isono rules director read the report that was posted on the K-1 web site, then with FEG head Sadaharu Tanikawa and Akiyama, took Q & A from the reporters.

According to this report read by Isono, a video shot by TBS (Tokyo Broadcasting crew) revealed, before the bout, to inhibit his dry skin, Akiyama was coating his body with an oil-based creme. Tanikawa and all the officials confirmed this fact and immediately declared the disqualification of Akiyama, seized all of his purse, and the bout was officially ruled as a No Contest.
Akiyama was using Olay Quench Body Lotion Extra Dry Skin that contains vaseline and glycerine. FEG did an experiment and found out that this particular lotion doesn't make the body slippery immediately after applied to the skin, but when water (sweat) was added, it becomes extremely slimy.

Yoshihiro Akiyama (right) apologizing at the press conference.

Akiyama explained, "Especially, hands and feet, I have this thing called hyperhidrosis. Even if its dry outside, I would sweat and that makes my skin dry." Akiyama also added that he uses this Olay lotion on a regular basis. On the New Year's Eve, after warming up, officials checked on his gloves, then right before he stood on the entrance gate for a walk-in, Akiyama took his gi off and his two corner men applied lotion all over his body. According to Akiyama, his seconds are relatively inexperience in the MMA bouts so no one thought about the illegality of such action.

FEG ruled that this was not intentional because Akiyama allowed the TV crew to tape him using a lotion right before the fight, and also answered, "I never thought it's against the rules to use lotion" at the questioning. However, this proves that on the night of New Year's Eve, against Sakuraba, Akiyama's body was not in the condition that would allow him to compete so he was declared "disqualified." In the HERO'S rules, that is way heavier than the "foul." As a result of this, 100% of Akiyama's purse has been forfeited, 50% deduction from the fee of three officials who were in charge of body checking, and the chief referee Ryokaku Wada, who had an opportunity to check on Akiyama during the fight when the action was intervened due to Sakuraba's unintentional kick to the groin. There was nothing wrong with the fists and gloves themselves but official Kishina who was in charge of the gloves, and also, a sub-referee Serizawa, who was at the ringside, were also penalized with 50% deduction for failing to recognize the "Edwin" logo on the right glove of Akiyama was missing. Serizawa was also in charge of body checking so in addition to 50% deduction, he is suspended for six months.

Tanikawa, in a stern face, explained, "If the suspicions were truth, I thought about stripping the title, life time ban from the sport. That is why I wanted a full investigation on this matter."
Akiyama just apologized, "I had no bad intention. But I have no excuse. I am self-questioning of my own action now." And when one reporter asked about the possibility of a rematch, Tanikawa quickly replied, "I am not thinking about that at all. We have to solve this problem as this problem. I am not going to take on such a proposal. Everything must go naturally." FEG is now considering placing "inspectors" in dressing rooms to oversees the fighters. All officials also apologized to Sakuraba for all of this combustion.

Sakuraba was not at the press conference but sent a comment to Akiyama via FEG office, "This is not something you can settle with an apology but this time, I want him to apologize to the event staff, Mr. Kiyohara, the children who made the entrance, and to the fans. When I step into the ring, I just want to fight openly and squarely."

This is devastating news for K-1. Their champion, a bright hope, got caught cheating. And on top of this, K-1 founder Master Ishii is set to begin his imprisonment in a few weeks so the general public will see these two issues when it comes to K-1. The new champion carefully nurtured by K-1 engaged in a deception, and the founder is going to jail for tax evasion. Obviously K-1 now really has to think about taking care of Sakuraba. With Norifumi KID Yamamoto concentrating on freestyle wrestling and Genki Sudo out of the picture, the only Japanese star who can sell tickets is Sakuraba. But so far in the K-1 ring, Sakuraba was never treated with respect, but most importantly, without sincere concern for safety. FEG ordered the judges and officials to apologize to Sakuraba. Its apparent but this action, in the Japanese world, is also called, "making love calls." FEG will not be able to utilize Akiyama for a long while, so whose name is going to be marquis? It has to be Sakuraba. (01/16/2007)

Article RE: Akiyama's Suspension >>