Props: Sanspo.com
Quoteworthy:
“I don’t think I will sign a contract this time. That will probably be next time I go over. While I’m there this time, I want to invite (Dana White) to a training session to show my potential. Nogueira is a wall that I will need to get through. Next year will be a year of challenge.”
Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii — decked out in UFC regalia reportedly sent to him by UFC President Dana White — demonstrated his desire to sign with the UFC by cutting his Christmas day short to catch a flight to Las Vegas to attend UFC 92. Ishii has opted to pursue a career in the UFC rather than the Japanese promotion DREAM, much to the dismay of his Japanese fans and colleagues. After winning his gold medal in Beijing, Ishii issued an open challenge to heavyweight deity Fedor Emelianenko who basically laughed it off. Now Ishii is targeting UFC interim heavyweight champ Antonio Rodrigo Noguiera. Pretty ballsy for a guy with no MMA experience.
25 Comments »
meh this guy will get slaughtered hes a small heavy and judo isnt that dominating of a martial art
I hope that the UFC does sign IIshi because I want them to eventually hold events in Japan so that they can attract world class fighters like Takanori Gomi who want to continue to fight in front of there countrymen. Throw Iishi on a UFC card in Japan and he could help the UFC breakthrough into that market which if successful would be absolutely GiNOrmous for the UFC.
THis guy is doing the right thing, capitalizing on his olympic fame to try and get Big name fights in mma. Thats why he continues to call out the top guns. Do I expect him to beat any of them? NO! But like Lesnar is a draw to American fans, Iishi would be that kind of a draw in Japan. Still the UFC wont just roll out the red carpet and book a fight against Big Nog. He is going to have to work his way up.
In the end, this may just be a ploy to increase his dollars in Japan. Remember when Mach Sakurai sat ringside at UFC 73? He didnt end up signing with the UFC. Iishi’s career is being controlled by Nogowa (i tHink), so I still believe he wont end up signing with the UFC.
I not only remember that, but almost nobody clapped or cheered when Mach was on the screen.
Ishii would have even less star power.
lol world class like gomi??? Yea cause nobody in the ufc could beat him… wait just 80 percent of the lightweights!!
Gomi is the most overrated fighter in the world!!
I agree, but the judo guys in the UFC are nowhere near this guys level. If he can take a punch to the face and still throw someone about then he has a chance.
I just don’t see how Judo can transfer over to MMA all that well. Without a gi or any real clothing to take hold of, there are only so many Judo throws that are useful.
Your right it will be difficult, but this kid must be super tough and dedicated to have won a gold buy the age of 22.
Lets see, it should be fun watching anyway.
You see a lot of Japanese come over and get the big payday for baseball why not more of this in the fight game. There is a ton of MMA talent over there. I say sign em. Fighting is worldwide bring them on, you have seen some of this in the wec. I all for it.
It’s because they come over and don’t get the big payday.
If they do well, they’ll make more money in Japan, even if the cost of living is higher there.
You sure he didn’t pull a Sam Hoger and jack all that gear?
Good shout! Maybe he took it for his family!
I think the UFC will do some shows in Japan this year. Japan has a big MMA audience and the UFC has some big names that are known in Japan like Rampage, other Pride alums and some Japanese natives
He probably will be able to handle himself.
I would say he is an average prospect with huge potential.
He may be a small heavyweight but he can lose weight and go -205.
Just cause hes calling out the hw doesnt mean he expects to stay there.
I dont hear him calling out lesnar, hes picking guys his size…
I would think that Vera would be a good test if he went lhw and bonnar would be good for him to have a scrap with and up his $$$.
how big is this guy? does anyone know what his weight is ?
i envision 3 straight losses to start and end his career and a long life of saki binge drinking leading to those awkward mornings waking up next to transexual prostitutes.
mma is alot bigger in japan than in the usa. the ufc should sign this guy.
There’s another judo world champion that fights in the UFC. He’s been training in MMA for many years though, and is basically an above average fighter, that has a serious problem finishing fights, unless he’s getting KO’d. Goes by the name of Karo Parysian. This guy Ishii is a nobody, who’s just trying to get his name out there. Calling out Fedor and Nog? Get real.
You are seriously comparing Karo’s judo to Ishii’s? Karo never even made it to the Olympics, highest he got was the Olympic trials. This guy is a HW gold medalist. Big difference.
Karo has never been or will never be a world champ at judo.
Karo’s judo is on a par with KJ noon’s boxing and Ishii’s judo is on a par with Pacman’s.
Ishii is on another level judo wise, but who knows what he can do in a cage. If he can take a punch and has a great big haymaker of a punch then maybe he’s got a chance (imagine if Karo could throw a decent punch!!)
But if he’s hoping to walk in the cage with only his judo then he’s in for a beating.
karo is perhaps the best striker of our generation.
somebody just got schooled
The training for Olympic level Judo in Japan is absolutely brutal. Ishi is known to train relentlessly. He credits his success to simply out training everyone. Remember Ishi won a gold medal in the over 100 kilo division. The average weight of these guys is about 280. He was the smallest heavyweight at about 240 lbs. He beat them all, the Russians, the French, the Cubans etc. Also, in Japan they spend about half the time on newaza or ground work. His submission skills are already excellent. Remember, the Japanese invented this stuff not the Brazilians. I have seen many Japanese judoka end matches with submissions in Judo tournaments where they only have a few seconds to apply the techniques.
MMA has not yet seen a heavyweight judoka from this level. Other judo champions such as Hidehiko Yoshida, who won a gold medal in the 78 kilo class in Judo, still have fought as light heavyweights in MMA and have done well. There is a huge difference between fighting at middle weight or super heavyweight. If Ishi can get down to 205 those guys are going to feel like lightweights to him after body slamming 280 Russian champions. If he can apply his work ethic to learning striking, at only 22, I believe he can be a serious competitor in MMA.