Satoshi Ishii

Satoshi Ishii is an Olympic Judo gold medalist from Japan.

After winning the gold medal in judo at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, Ishii was regarded as a national hero in Japan. He then expressed interest in becoming a Mixed Martial Arts (MMA) fighter. Ishii soon signed a contract with a Japanese mixed martial arts promotion, despite the objections of the Japanese Judo Federation. Ishii is expected to make his debut with the promotion in early 2009 at the fight series known as DREAM.MMAMANIA: Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii signs with FEG

It has been reported that Ishii will have his first MMA fight on December 31, 2008, at the K-1 Dynamite event. Ishii is also expected to go from judo to MMA full-time after his graduation from college in 2009.MMAMANIA: Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii signs with FEG

After winning the gold medal at the Olympics, Ishii issued a challenge to MMA heavyweight champion Fedor Emelianenko. Emelianenko seemingly ignored the challenge as Ishii has yet to prove himself in an MMA ring. More details about Ishii's future in MMA will likely be revealed on November 3, 2008, during a fan club celebration.MMAMANIA: Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii signs with FEG

• Gold: 2008 Beijing Olympics
• Gold: 2007 Bangkok Summer Universiade
• Silver: 2006 Asian Games

1. Wikipedia: Satoshi Ishii
2. Yahoo! Sports: Satoshi Ishii
3. ESPN.com: Beijing judo gold medalist Ishii leaving sport for MMA (October 31, 2008)
4. MMA MANIA: Olympic Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii signs with FEG (October 29, 2008)
5. FanHouse: Olympic Judo Gold Medalist Satoshi Ishii to Make MMA Debut (October 28, 2008)
6. NBC Olympics: Satoshi Ishii
7. Dailymotion: Tamerlan Tmenov vs Satoshi Ishii

Tamerlan Tmenov vs Satoshi Ishii