White invites, Ishii accepts, invitation to UFC 92

Just two days after Satoshi Ishii made it clear his interest in fighting for the UFC, UFC president Dana White has extended his hand to the 2008 Olympic judo gold medalist.

According to a report on Nikkan Sports, White released a statement today through WOWOW, which televises UFC events in Japan, saying that Ishii has the potential to become a great mixed martial arts fighter. White applauded Ishii's decision to fight in the UFC and invited the judoka to Las Vegas to watch UFC 92 "The Ultimate 2008" on Dec. 27, to which Ishii has accepted.

Ishii said on Wednesday that he wants to fight for the UFC instead of DREAM and plans to go in March to train with the American Top Team in Coconut Creek, Florida for his mixed martial arts debut sometime late 2009.