Written By:  Michael Hatamoto

Japanese Olympian Satoshi Ishii's third professional fight will take place during X-1 "Worlds Collide" from Honolulu, Hi., on June 4, X-1 said in a press release.  The name of a possible opponent for the still relatively green MMA fighter -- who currently has a 1 - 1 pro record -- hasn't been released.

The Japanese judoka, who earned a gold medal during the 2008 Summer Olympics, won his first MMA fight just days ago after submitting Tafa Misipati via armbar in the first round.

Ishii's MMA career started on New Year's Eve when he lost a unanimous decision to Hidehiko Yoshida.  Both are very well skilled judo practitioners, but decided to spend most of the fight trying to stand and trade in a rather sloppy striking match.

Ishii's MMA career is starting off slowly, but his professional judo background has been well documented by MMA journalists.  The fighter hopes to eventually find his way to the UFC -- he and Dana White have met and negotiated in the past -- but needs to develop his striking and full MMA game.

If Ishii is serious about making his way to the UFC, he needs to work hard to round out his skills as fast as possible.  Furthermore, he needs to perhaps consider a move down to light heavyweight, because he's too small (and would be absolutely manhandled) by most of the fighters in the UFC heavyweight division.

It should be an interesting ride...