Satoshi Ishii to Sign With Sengoku A press conference was held in Tokyo today, announcing that...

A press conference was held in Tokyo today, announcing that 2008 Olympic Gold Medalist in Judo, Satoshi Ishii, has signed with World Victory Road to fight in their SENGOKU event. No debut date was announced but he is expected to debut within the year. This is easily the biggest signing of the year and a HUGE signing for WVR.

Update #1: Ishii has signed for more than one fight. He has signed a provisional contract and on Thursday he will sign the real contract at an open to fans contract signing event in Japan.

almost 3 years ago MMASuPreMaCy 19 comments 0 recs |

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Oh god

He’s gonna get mauled. Training with Lyoto was probably really beneficial, but he’s going to get thrown to the wolves.

by Damon O. on Jun 1, 2009 7:47 AM EDT reply actions

... what?

by Chris Nelson on Jun 1, 2009 8:53 AM EDT up reply actions

Uh, why? If anything, this is the smarter road to take.

I think you have it backwards. Fighters in the UFC tend to get thrown to the wolves.

by a tommy point on Jun 1, 2009 9:08 AM EDT up reply actions

After really assessing things you’re right. He’d probably end up going the way of most Japanese fighters in the UFC. And yes 1st thing that popped into my head was him getting thrown in with guys that were at their peaks in the days of PRIDE, which no longer really exist. My bad.

by Damon O. on Jun 1, 2009 10:29 AM EDT up reply actions

Dana said he would let him go if he “won the lottery” so I guess this is it.

by banter on Jun 1, 2009 8:27 AM EDT reply actions

At least Ishii got alot of free swag.

by Nick Thomas on Jun 1, 2009 9:11 AM EDT reply actions

He got free swag and more money when he signed, Affliction and the UFC got advertising, everyone wins! Yay!

A man should never waste an opportunity to keep his mouth shut.

by iiowyn on Jun 1, 2009 10:55 AM EDT up reply actions

Deo Wade thinks that DSE/PRIDE and FEG = Japanese MMA

by oOkami on Jun 1, 2009 9:18 AM EDT reply actions

At least he’s not going to DREAM.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jun 1, 2009 10:36 AM EDT reply actions

Pics from the press conference:

by Nick Thomas on Jun 1, 2009 11:16 AM EDT reply actions

"This is easily the biggest signing of the year and a HUGE signing for WVR."

I don’t think it’s bigger than the UFC signing Akiyama, given that’s another clear sign they’re planning to enter the Japanese and Korean markets.

At the end of the day, this guy is still just another 0-fight Judoka who will probably be thrown into an over-his-head debut because of his gold medal.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Jun 1, 2009 11:29 AM EDT reply actions

the ufc signed akiyama and they arent running japan or korea this year. them talking about japan is like hearing about duke nukem forever or something. meanwhile sengoku might end up being the biggest promotion in japan. id say this is more meaningful right now.

by nigelzackit on Jun 1, 2009 11:41 AM EDT up reply actions

I disagree.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Jun 1, 2009 11:53 AM EDT up reply actions

you can disagree if you want, thats fine. the rest of the year is pretty much charted and theres no korea or japan on it. no change in japan in terms of a tv deal either. ishii is a national hero and worth his weight in gold to anyone out there. it seemed obvious that this would eventually happen.

by nigelzackit on Jun 1, 2009 11:58 AM EDT up reply actions

I don’t know who Duke Nukem is.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Jun 1, 2009 3:22 PM EDT up reply actions

“I don’t think it’s bigger than the UFC signing Akiyama”

You’re wrong.

by oOkami on Jun 1, 2009 12:00 PM EDT up reply actions

Not really.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Jun 1, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions

Lorenzo Fertitta said earlier this year that the UFC will probably never go back to Japan.

Also, Sengoku seems to really know what they’re doing when it comes to building up prospects (see: King Mo, Xande, Shigeki Osawa) so I wouldn’t worry about Ishii being thrown in over his head straight away.

by Chris Nelson on Jun 1, 2009 12:09 PM EDT up reply actions

"Lorenzo Fertitta said earlier this year that the UFC will probably never go back to Japan."

It’s weird they started that Web site, then.

Regardless, Akiyama has more appeal in Korea anyway. I’d be excited to see a UFC event in Seoul.

Although detractors decry (MMA) as a brutal, bloody form of human cockfighting, aficionados know it is a brutal, bloody, totally fucking awesome form of human cockfighting. -The Onion

by The Kittitas Kid on Jun 1, 2009 3:23 PM EDT up reply actions