Mitsuhiro Ishida vs Justin Wilcox Strikeforce fight set for Playboy Mansion
by James Iannotti on Sep 9, 2008 12:39 AM EDT
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Japanese mixed martial artist Mitsuhiro "Endless Fighter" Ishida (16-4-1) has been signed for a lightweight bout against American Kickboxing Academy (AKA) up-and-comer Justin "The Silverback" Wilcox (5-2) at "Strikeforce at the Mansion II" on September 20.
He competed five times under the Pride FC banner in 2006 mostly in the Bushido series. He managed a very impressive (4-0) record on the Bushido scene with wins over David Bielkheden and Marcus Auriello.
Ishida moved up to face the division kingpin Takanori Gomi at the 2006 Pride New Year's Eve show, but was handled pretty easily by the champ with an early stoppage.
A year later he scored a huge win over then Strikeforce Lightweight Champion Gilbert "El Nino" Melendez, which opened a lot of eyes and earned himself a spot in the DREAM Lightweight Grand Prix.
He lost in the quarter finals to Caol Uno by second round submission.
Ishida uses a strong wrestling attack to score takedowns and control his opponents. It's an interesting strategy heading into this fight because his opponent isn't too shabby in the wrestling department either.
Wilcox was a stand out wrestler at Edinboro University, the same school that Josh Koshcheck once called home. In fact, Wilcox credited Koshcheck with getting him interested in MMA and the two are now training partners at AKA.
Here's a snip from "The Silverback:"
"I love the way they train. They have that grind that I'm used to from wrestling in college so I feel at home here. My college coach always said if you want to be a champ, you have to surround yourself with champs so I went out to AKA and haven't lost since."
His most recent win was a decision over "The Ultimate Fighter" reject Gabe Ruediger at a small event in Santa Monica, Calif., less than two weeks ago.
It's clear he'll be stepping up his competition level when he faces Ishida, who will be making his debut on U.S. soil. This should be a solid addition to a decent card that will be streamed live at Sherdog.com beginning at 7:30 p.m ET on September 20.
For the rest of the 'Strikeforce at the Mansion II" fight card click here.
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lol Gabe Ruediger on the resume just doesnt quite impress me that much
by brendan on Sep 9, 2008 12:50 AM EDT reply actions
Yeah, but props to any guy who puts a beating on him! I can’t even put into words how much that guy sickens me.
by chefdaddy on Sep 9, 2008 9:40 AM EDT up reply actions
Ishida is overrated. He beat Melendez (who is overated, sorry Melendez acornhuggers), but he just doesn’t impress me. I don’t think he’d be top 10 at LW in the UFC.
by UFCAddict on Sep 9, 2008 9:45 AM EDT up reply actions
In the UFC, he would certainly be Top 10. Before the loss to Ishida not only was he Top 10 in the world at LW, but he was also on a lot of Top 10 lb for lb lists. He also lost to The Punk, but they have been training for years and knew each other too well.
If El Nino was to ever come to the UFC, he would be in the Top 10 for sure, as would Josh Thomson.
by ViolentMike on Sep 9, 2008 9:49 AM EDT up reply actions
Yes sir!
I wouldnt mind seeing Ishida vs. THe Punk for the strikeforce title!
El Nino is the ceaser gracie fighter I want to see in the UFC the most!
by john on Sep 9, 2008 9:58 AM EDT up reply actions
I actually seen the highlights to the Gabe Reudiger fight. When I began reading the post about “The Silverback” I started to wonder if it was the same Silverback that I seen beat Reudiger, well the highlights of, on Inside MMA. For those that do have HDnet, watching this show is a must. You find out about the young up and comers during the highlights portion.
by ViolentMike on Sep 9, 2008 9:47 AM EDT reply actions
Wilcox will beat this guy. His wrestling skills are top notch. He dominated in his college career. He is much bigger/stronger than Ishida. He easily beat the crap out of Ruediger. If you look at both fighters experience it is bad for Ishida. He is known for wrestling and usually GnP his opponents from the top, but Justin is a great wrestler, so he won’t be able to do that. Justin can hit harder and that is Ishida weakness. This is Ishida’s first fight in the US which will play a role in the mind game and justin is alot bigger than him which will also work on his mind. Watch the fight on sherdog for free.
And be ready for wilcox to knock this guy out.
by shawn on Sep 10, 2008 10:45 AM EDT reply actions
You all out there who doubt Justin, you’ll see. This little china man does not have what it takes to compete with Justin,“the silverback.” Justin’s work/training routine are un-godly. We are talking about a guy who went from division one collegiate wrestling, to becoming a pro-mind you-bodybuilder, in a matter of 6 months, to a pro mma fighter. This guys resume is worthy of a title shot alone. For all you non-believers, I say the “siverback” 2nd round ko by submission over the little china man.
by Damian on Sep 12, 2008 8:42 PM EDT reply actions
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