Beyond the Octagon: Finals set for Road to UFC: Japan

A look at what big-show veterans are up to on the regional circuits.Last weekend proved relatively quiet as far as big-show alumni are concerned. Nevertheless, a key match was in the offing, as the TUF-like Road to UFC: Japan aired its final episode, which featured a bout between Akiyo Nishiura and Teruto Ishihara to determine who would be joining Mizuto Hirota in the finals at UFC Fight Night 75.

Road to UFC: Japan began with a field of eight: Mizuto Hirota, Daiki Hata, Akiyo Nishiura, Teruto Ishihara, Hiroyuki Oshiro, Nobumitsu Osawa, Tatsuya Ando, and Tatsunao Nagakura. The tournament's quarterfinal round unfolded predictably enough, with veterans-of-note Hirota, Hata, and Nishiura all…