Gold medalist Satoshi Ishii quits judo federation to become pro MMA fighter
At a recent reception held at the imperial palace, Judo gold medalist Satoshi Ishii surprised Emperor Akihito and the press by directly stating that he had no plans to participate in the 2012 Olympic games. The press followed him around every day, repeatedly asking him if he planned on becoming a professional fighter and always getting vague responses from Ishii.
Yesterday, Ishii officially quit judo and started on the path to becoming an MMA fighter:
The 21-year-old Ishii visited the All Japan Judo Federation on Friday to notify it of his decision and is expected to formally announce his switch to mixed martial arts (MMA) at a news conference in Osaka on Monday, the sources said.
Ishii had been pondering the move and told Kazuo Yoshimura, chief technical director of the federation, earlier this month that he intends to quit judo.
He will become the third Olympic gold-medal winning judoka to switch to pro mixed martial arts after Hidehiko Yoshida, the 1992 Barcelona Games 78-kg champion, and Makoto Takimoto, who won the 81-kg title at the 2000 Sydney Olympics.
Fighting news site MMA Universe has reported that Ishii has signed with Japan’s Fighting & Entertainment Group (FEG) and will have his first fight some time in Spring 2009.
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