Snapshot of the Day 2: Satoshi Ishii at UFC 92

by Chris Nelson on Dec 28, 2008 2:31 PM EST

Spotted during the untelevised Yushin Okami vs. Dean Lister bout.

In a conversation transcribed by Kamipro ([Dana White's] quotes here are translated from Japanese print), Ishii expressed his desire to train in the US and asked White for recommendations, to which the UFC head suggested Quinton "Rampage" Jackson, Georges St. Pierre, the American Kick Boxing Academy in San Jose or Xtreme Couture in Las Vegas.

One place White didn't recommend was when the judoka brought up Russia.

"If you are serious about MMA, Russia is not the place you should go," [Dana] White said. "Stay in the US. The best fighters and trainers are in the US now.

"I want to invite you to Las Vegas for a month and let you train at Randy's gym. What do you think?"

"Awesome," Ishii replied.

"You will learn about real MMA fighters through training with best fighters," White said. "I will evaluate you based on what Randy's trainer think about you."

UPDATE: The UFC issued a press release today announcing that Ishii has "started exclusive negotiations to enter into a contract with" the organization.

"Satoshi Ishii has the potential to be very successful in mixed martial arts," said Dana White, UFC President. "We can't wait to start working with Mr. Ishii, we look forward to helping him with his training, his career, and his eventual debut in a professional fight."

Tweet Comment 19 comments | 0 recs |

Do you like this story?

Comments

If he's going to stay in Vegas.

Training at Randy’s gym is a good start.

by tylerdurden1 on Dec 28, 2008 2:34 PM EST reply actions

In Randy

We trust

by banter on Dec 28, 2008 2:36 PM EST reply actions

question for everyone....

Does Randy have good Judo trainers there? Not that this guy needs one but it would be very helpful for the transition…

I’m sure they do…just can’t think of a name.

by banter on Dec 28, 2008 2:38 PM EST up reply actions

good point but I’m not sure. Obviously he doesn’t need “judo training”, but we have seen many of these guys have trouble applying their judo to mma and that would definitely help.

Eliot Marshall: Bader won. Like I said in the episode, I'm not going to make any excuses. It's my job to be able to deal with when somebody's doing that. It's not his job to change up his tactics.

http://eliotmarshall.com/

by BJJDenver on Dec 28, 2008 2:41 PM EST up reply actions

exactly

Thats my concern.

Notice Dana didn’t recommend Team Quest….hahahahahaha

by banter on Dec 28, 2008 2:43 PM EST up reply actions

Um... Why would he need Judo training

From somebody in Randy’s camp. He is undoubtedly better at Judo than anybody they could hope to have as an instructor.

BJJ instructor there is Robert Drysdale

by skwirrl on Dec 28, 2008 7:54 PM EST up reply actions

the part where you were saying it would help the transition… At the same time I don’t think anybody would be able to help his transition. Akiyama or Yoshida would be the only people in MMA I would think that is at a comparable level where they could help him adjust his skill set.

by skwirrl on Dec 28, 2008 7:57 PM EST up reply actions