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Flashback! ‘Sexyama’ books retirement fight against retired (and infamous) UFC knockout artist

Former UFC middleweight Yoshihiro Akiyama, known as “Sexyama,” is set to fight his last MMA bout against longtime rival Chris Leben at BLACK COMBAT 17: VANTABLACK on November 21, 2026. The event will take place inside Seoul’s Gocheok Sky Dome, bringing the two fighters back together after their memorable UFC 116 clash in July 2010, which earned Fight of the Night honors when Leben secured a triangle choke with 20 seconds left.

Akiyama, now 51, announced he will retire after the match; his recent record includes a 2‑1 run in ONE Championship and a knockout loss to Nieky Holzken in a 2024 custom‑rules fight. Leben, 46, returns after a 13‑year hiatus from MMA, having last competed in the Octagon in December 2013 and later posting a 3‑1 bare‑knuckle boxing record before retiring again in 2021.

He has stayed involved in the sport as a referee and judge, making this comeback a surprising twist for both veterans.

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