Akiyama unsure if he'll fight again after loss to Mina

"Sexyama" isn't sure if he's ready to ride off into the sunset.

Competing for the first time in more than a year, and only the second time since 2012, Yoshihiro Akiyama dropped a contentious split decision to Alberto Mina at UFC Fight Night 79 in South Korea on Saturday.

When asked if he planned on hanging up his four-ounce gloves following the bout, the 40-year-old was noncommittal.

"I haven't thought about that issue," Akiyama told MMAjunkie.com through an interpreter. "I'll just take a good sleep first and think about that later on."

After nearly being finished by a violent flurry in the waning moments of the second stanza, Akiyama - buoyed by the rabid South Korean crowd - roared back to life in the third frame, battering the gassed Mina with heavy combinations and debilitating leg kicks.

"I got knocked down down during the second round, and I felt that it might not work the way I wanted it to be," Akiyama admitted. "There were so many Korean fans that were cheering for me that it helped me to stand up again for the second round. That actually gave me the courage and the power to fight for the third round.

"During the third round, all the cheers from the Korean fans also encouraged me a lot, and I'd like to thank the Korean fans for giving me such a wonderful time and happy moment."

A Japanese fighter of Korean descent, Akiyama was once part of the South Korean national judo team, and as such, had the overwhelming support of the mass of humanity packed into the Olympic Gymnastics Arena.

"Of course, the result is the result, but I really had a very happy time," Akiyama said. "As for the UFC contract, I don't know how it will turn out."