Satoshi Ishii wants out of his contract with the UFC for more money from Japan

Published on: 11th February, 2009

Ishii (R) wants out of his deal

It appears that Satoshi Ishii is now attempting to get out of his deal with the UFC and is listening to offers from Japanese promotions. Rumors had it that Dream and Sengoku were offering the Olympic Judoka some where between $4 Million to $6 Million before he signed with the UFC. Dana White appears to understand saying that Ishii is “sitting on a Lottery ticket” and says Dream needs him to survive.

MMAWeekly.com spoke to Dana White about Satoshi Ishii’s deal and wanting to leave the promotion for big money in Japan.

“The thing is this: the kid’s sitting on a lottery ticket right now,” said White. “He’s being offered millions of dollars in Japan. They want him. He has to make a decision whether he wants to take the lottery ticket or come over here and work his way up and try to become the best.”

White than brought up a good point that in the UFC, Ishii has the chance of becoming the best MMA fighter possible, while in Dream he will be “Thrown to the Wolves” against their top competition.

Ishii with an Affliction shirt on, huh?

“I don’t believe in the Japanese philosophy, let’s throw him in there and get him (expletive) murdered like Sakuraba,” he spat. “You know, the whole guts and glory thing over in Japan. I believe in taking a kid, putting him in the right weight class, moving him up, and taking time.

“If he does it the right way with us, he’ll be a superstar in Japan. It’s a much better deal for him than going in and getting executed by guys who have been fighting for a long time…because they need to make a fight right now so they can survive. See, Dream—needs him. I don’t. I want him.”

While I have to agree with Dana White on Ishii’s career long term I can’t blame him for attempting to get paid either. His window of opportunity to make multi-millions may not be one that stays open for a long time. At the same time it appears that Ishii is confused on how to do business (as shown in the picture above) he was seen in an Affliction T-Shirt only days after “Day of Reckoning”.

No one knows what the future holds for Ishii’s MMA career, but URDirt.com will let you know as soon as we find out.

Narcisist is the Co-owner of UR Dirt and is the designer, editor and author. URDirt.com is a MMA blog that covers the UFC, WEC, StrikeForce, DREAM and several other Mixed Martial Art promotions. Read more from this author

Readers Comments

Hellboi says:

February 11, 2009 at 10:28 am (Quote)

Make up your mind Ishii go to Dream bang hot Japanese ass make millions of $$$$ probably go 1-2 and still get in the main event

Or come to the UFC where no one knows who the hell you are get paid $30 k to start get bashed by fans as boring because you don’t speak English and cut after 3 fights

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- Gogo-13 says:
  
  February 11, 2009 at 11:32 am (Quote)
  
  @Hellboi, when you put it that way makes it hard to argue the point of signing with the ufc
  
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Toby says:

February 11, 2009 at 6:34 pm (Quote)

Amen, Hellboi. Maybe it’s just me, but I think Asian fighters in general get the screwjob over here in the states.

Look at Kim, he beats Matt Brown and is booed by the ignorant fans who don’t realize or don’t care, that one round that Brown won doesn’t constitute a win. Either that or the fact Kim is Korean is probably why he was booed. Also having Joe Rogan who I usually like, side with Brown saying he thought he won! Way to be objective.
Then he beats Karo, well in fans eyes, while the judges gave it to the out of shape, lackluster, Karo. I guess just getting in the cage, was enough to get him the win?
That sack of crap has no balls and no guts. He gets his “panic attacks” and fake injuries. Dude was scared to fight Hughes, ever since then he’s been shit.

They give him the win, and meanwhile, before that “loss”, Stun Gun was undefeated!
Then days later Karo tests positive for 3 banned substances! Give me a f’ing break! That decision should be overturned to a win for Kim or at the VERY LEAST a no contest like they did Gomi and pothead DIaz.

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Teh Failz of the Week | URDirt.com says:

February 16, 2009 at

[...] Satoshi Ishii turned down a rumored $4 to $6 Million to fight in Japan for Dream or World Victory Road Sengoku to come and fight in the UFC. Ishii appeared at UFC 92 with a company T-shirt and visited Xtreme Couture then turned around a few weeks later and was caught wearing an Affliction T-shirt as well. Ishii the whole time has said he wants to fight in the UFC, but now wants out of his contract after attempting to whore himself around and get the highest offer possible for his services. Ishii also wore the UFC shirt to the World Victory Road – Sengoku no Ran 2009 event which Japanese fans did not like at all. It appears to me after training to actually fight MMA, Ishii realized the hard work that goes into the training and wants to cash out now. Go fight Fedor and make $4 Million for being a punching bag. Read the full story here… [...]

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