Comments on: Satoshi Ishii: Fedor didn’t bite, will Nogueira?

By: Jacques H.

Jacques H. — Mon, 05 Jan 2009 03:26:16 +0000

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.

By: jonsey

jonsey — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 04:41:58 +0000

karo is perhaps the best striker of our generation.

By: Ufc

Ufc — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:43:51 +0000

[...] Satoshi Ishii: Fedor didn’t bite, will Nogueira?-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 . [...]

By: HOWaiianFapOut

HOWaiianFapOut — Sat, 27 Dec 2008 02:29:06 +0000

somebody just got schooled

By: mike22

mike22 — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:51:40 +0000

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!!

By: Space

Space — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:43:00 +0000

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.

By: Space

Space — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:41:40 +0000

I not only remember that, but almost nobody clapped or cheered when Mach was on the screen.

Ishii would have even less star power.

By: MoonUK

MoonUK — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:25:04 +0000

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.

By: MoonUK

MoonUK — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:21:38 +0000

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.

By: Michaelthebox

Michaelthebox — Fri, 26 Dec 2008 21:10:54 +0000

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.