A former UFC fighter and current member of the ONE Championship roster is among the mixed martial artists who feature on new Netflix reality show, Physical: 100.
The new Korean show is being branded a real-life version of Squid Game, a drama series that sees individuals struggling with their finances risk their lives to play a series of deadly childrenâs games for the chance to win millions.
While the stakes are obviously less fatal on Physical: 100, the series features a number grueling challenges, with 100 contestants battling for the rewards that come with being the last man or woman standing.
Given the physical nature of the show, itâs unsurprising that a number of athletes feature, including fighters. One such figure is Choo Sung-hoon, known as Yoshihiro Akiyama or âSexyamaâ in combat sports.
Akiyama (16-7, 2 NC) has competed 25 times as a professional since his debut in 2004. Throughout his career, the 47-year-old has competed under notable banners like K-1 and Dream. The Japanese standout even had a stint in the UFC.
He went 2-5 in the Octagon, with a debut win over Alan Belcher followed by four consecutive losses against Chris Leben, Michael Bisping, Vitor Belfort, and Jake Shields.
âSexyamaâ marks one of many fighters featuring in Physical: 100. The show also sees Road FC vet Park Geun-Hyung, former Dana Whiteâs Contender Series competitor Sang Hoon Yoo, and undefeated AFC flyweight Dong Jo Joo compete for the cash prize, which is equivalent to around $250,000.
The show quickly entered Netflixâs top five in the US following its release last week.
Former UFC Fighter âSexyamaâ Turns To Reality TV After Memorable MMA Win
Akiyamaâs appearance in the new Netflix reality series comes after his latest triumph inside the ONE Championship Circle.
After departing the UFC following a loss to Alberto Mina in 2015, âSexyamaâ didnât compete for almost four years. When he did, the Japanese veteran debuted in Asiaâs largest organization.
While he was defeated on the scorecards by Agilan Thani in his first promotional outing, Akiyama has followed that setback with consecutive victories.
Having entered the ONE win column for the first time by knocking out Sherif Mohamed at ONE: King of the Jungle in 2020, the 47-year-old returned as part of ONE X, the organizationâs 10th-anniversary event, last March.
There, Akiyama faced former champion Shinya Aoki. While he was dominated for the entire first round, âSexyamaâ mounted a memorable comeback in the second frame to knock his compatriot out.
Following that result, and in spite of targeting ONE Championship gold, Akiyama returned to the world of reality television, where heâd previously made multiple appearances.
As well as featuring on The Return of Superman, a show that sees celebrity fathers take care of their children by themselves, âSexyamaâ was part of 2 Days & 1 Night in 2015, a series where cast members took various trips throughout South Korea while performing missions to earn rewards and avoid punishments.
That was a fantastic fight
Saxy
This show is really good, we watched it (until ep3) over the weekend w the gf and I kept shouting Sexyama ! She kept correcting me with his name, I was so confused lol
Sexyama schooling the young bucks
I thought it was really cool that the younger MMA dude made it honorable and did modified MMA rules combat (open hand slaps) out of their 1v1 competition.
jajaja when Yoshihiro hit him on the ribs he felt the old man strength
when he took off his shirt and transformed into Sexyama it was all over
my son and gf dont know him, they were really impressed of what he did there. Im so happy for him.