UFC: Satoshi Ishii Starts "Exclusive" Negotiations With Us
by Luke Thomas on Dec 29, 2008 6:59 AM EST
in MMA News
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PrintNelson already mentioned this, but I wanted to make sure it didn't get passed over. A UFC press release says Ishii has started "exclusive negotiations" with the Zuffa-backed organization:
Ishii, who won the gold medal in the men's over 100-kilogram event at the Beijing Olympics, arrived in Las Vegas on Christmas day to experience UFC 92. Over the next two days, Mr. Ishii toured Las Vegas and visited various MMA gyms, including the UFC Training Center and Xtreme Couture, where he trained and sparred with Randy "The Natural" Couture.
Earlier this month, Mr. Ishii decided that he wished to start his MMA career in the United States, and that his dream was to fight in the UFC. He made his choice to negotiate with UFC last night after watching UFC 92.
"I was impressed with the training programs here in Las Vegas and the UFC event," said Mr. Ishii. "I am looking forward to working with the UFC and to developing my mixed martial arts skills."
"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."
One has to admire the heavy handedness of reminding the Japanese precisely who is entering business with Ishii, yet the reserved pullback of committing to nothing more than talks. With respect to how and when the UFC will attempt to use Ishii as something of a Trojan Horse is still not known, but watching the Japanese response - likely to be both revulsion and sincere interest - once the UFC shows its hand and launches formal plans will be highly entertaining.
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Exclusive negotiations?
Not sure I understand this. He is nobody in the USA and a celebrity in japan. I suppose he could be trying to get the Japanese promotions to up their offers. The ufc just isn’t in a position to provide a stage for his fans.
That's just a big son of a bitch -- that's all there is to it.
One has to admire the heavy handedness of reminding the Japanese precisely who is entering business with Ishii, yet the reserved pullback of committing to nothing more than talks
Definitely. I think there’s more to this than what’s on the surface. I suspect this is all a very political move by both sides. How sincere each side is remains to be seen. I’ll reserve judgement until Ishii actually signs. Or doesn’t sign.
This could be the prelude to a UFC invasion of Japan...
Kind of like WWII. First we liberate the Phillipines then we threaten Japanese soil. Awesome!
That's just a big son of a bitch -- that's all there is to it.
Establishing a UFC Japan franchise was always part of the blueprint for a return. What station are they negotiating with? Because if its just more programming on WOWOW it won’t amount to much.
I would expect, if they can get Ishii and use him as part of the pitch, they’ll be able to get a major station. Ishii as a contestant, or god forbid a coach, on a Japanese TUF would get insane ratings. If they could somehow get Hidehiko Yoshida as a rival coach, setting up a match at the end of the season? Game over.
Obviously thats the dream scenario for the UFC, but it becomes a lot more likely if Ishii truly wants to be in the UFC. And there are actually very good reasons for Ishii to go to the UFC rather than Dream, as shocking as that may be to Zach Arnold.
by Michaelthebox on Dec 29, 2008 5:08 PM EST up reply actions
If the UFC signs any deal of significance with TBS I might just shit my pants. And if they also sign Yoshihiro Akiyama, I might shit my pants for an entire day.
None of us know exactly where Dream and WVR are financially. Rumors have been flying for some time that both are in trouble. Dream has reportedly been late in paying many North American fighters.
It could be that Ishii does not think they will be around much longer.
I don’t think it’s just Ishii that’s calling the shots at the moment. It’s likely the people around him influencing him, of which there are many who know the business side well. Seeing as he trains out of Wajutsu Keishukai unofficially, he’s working with perhaps the biggest gym (network) in Japan that deals consistently with Zuffa. It makes a little more sense if he’s got people at WK whispering in his ear, since they were the ones so keen on sending him to the states to train in the first place.
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