A week away from his encounter with Fedor Emelianenko at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, it seems like not many people are giving 2008 Olympic Games Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii a chance to get his hand raised at the Saitama Super Arena. After all, Ishii will be entering just his seventh professional MMA bout, as he currently holds a record of 4-1-1.
However, Ishii’s career decisions speak for themselves. The 25-year-old Judo phenom left his comfort zone in Japan to pursue a full-time Mixed Martial Arts career in the U.S. Ishii become a student of the game by training under Muay Thai extraordinaire Ed Buckley, and touring between some of the most famous gyms on the west coast.
Ishii could easily be labeled one of the most high-profile martial artists currently competing in the sport. The fight with Fedor could serve as a turning point for the decorated Judoka, who has set himself a clear goal of becoming one of the best MMA fighters on the planet. It’s an opportunity Satoshi Ishii will take full advantage of, especially when fighting on his home turf in Japan.
We had an opportunity to speak to Satoshi Ishii, who shared his thoughts about the December 31st date with “The Last Emperor,” and his preparations coming up to the fight…
A week away from his encounter with Fedor Emelianenko at Fight For Japan: Genki Desu Ka Omisoka 2011, it seems like not many people are giving 2008 Olympic Games Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii a chance to get his hand raised at the Saitama Super Arena. After all, Ishii will be entering just his seventh professional MMA bout, as he currently holds a record of 4-1-1.
However, Ishii’s career decisions speak for themselves. The 25-year-old Judo phenom left his comfort zone in Japan to pursue a full-time Mixed Martial Arts career in the U.S. Ishii become a student of the game by training under Muay Thai extraordinaire Ed Buckley, and touring between some of the most famous gyms on the west coast.
Ishii could easily be labeled one of the most high-profile martial artists currently competing in the sport. The fight with Fedor could serve as a turning point for the decorated Judoka, who has set himself a clear goal of becoming one of the best MMA fighters on the planet. It’s an opportunity Satoshi Ishii will take full advantage of, especially when fighting on his home turf in Japan.
We had an opportunity to speak to Satoshi Ishii, who shared his thoughts about the December 31st date with “The Last Emperor,” and his preparations coming up to the fight…
Last night, HDNet aired their footage from DREAM’s disaster benefit show, which took place last weekend. Most of you already know what to expect, as results were posted immediately after the event took place, but the fights are worth a quick look. During Aoki vs Clementi Frank Trigg generously guestimated that a half dozen fighters were mentioned as possible opponents for Shinya Aoki. To be fair, that’s about when we stopped paying attention to rumored opponents for Aoki as well. Unfortunately, we don’t have any videos from the bantamweight tournament semifinal matchups. If we find some we’ll get them up. Videos are after the jump.
Last night, HDNet aired their footage from DREAM’s disaster benefit show, which took place last weekend. Most of you already know what to expect, as results were posted immediately after the event took place, but the fights are worth a quick look. During Aoki vs Clementi Frank Trigg generously guesstimated that a half dozen fighters were mentioned as possible opponents for Shinya Aoki. To be fair, that’s about when we stopped paying attention to rumored opponents for Aoki as well. Unfortunately, we don’t have any videos from the bantamweight tournament semifinal match ups. If we find some we’ll get them up. Videos are after the jump.
Shinya Aoki vs. Rich Clementi. At 5:34, Clementi politely informs Aoki that he punches like a girl. Have to admire a guy who can taunt an opponent who is absolutely dominating him.
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and reigning Deep champions Masakazu Imanari, Katsunori Kikuno and Koichiro Matsumoto held open workouts over the past week ahead of their bouts at Sunday’s DREAM “Fight for Japan” charity event, and MMA Fighting was on hand to capture the action.
DREAM’s first event of 2011, to be held at the Saitama Super Arena, will feature Aoki facing Rich Clementi, Imanari vs. ZST bantamweight ace Keisuke Fujiwara, Kikuno against Daisuke Nakamura and Matsumoto vs. “Lion” Takeshi Inoue.
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and reigning Deep champions Masakazu Imanari, Katsunori Kikuno and Koichiro Matsumoto held open workouts over the past week ahead of their bouts at Sunday’s DREAM “Fight for Japan” charity event, and MMA Fighting was on hand to capture the action.
DREAM’s first event of 2011, to be held at the Saitama Super Arena, will feature Aoki facing Rich Clementi, Imanari vs. ZST bantamweight ace Keisuke Fujiwara, Kikuno against Daisuke Nakamura and Matsumoto vs. “Lion” Takeshi Inoue.
DREAM lightweight champion Shinya Aoki and reigning Deep champions Masakazu Imanari, Katsunori Kikuno and Koichiro Matsumoto held open workouts over the past week ahead of their bouts at Sunday’s DREAM “Fight for Japan” charity event, and MMA Fighting was on hand to capture the action.