Satoshi Ishii vs. Oleg Popov Set for ACBJJ21 Grappling Event in Moscow

Satoshi Ishii and Oleg Popov are set to meet under combat grappling rules on July 5 at ACBJJ21, a grappling tournament scheduled to take place in Moscow.

Ishii, the 39-year-old Japanese competitor, brings a professional MMA record of 15-8-1 into this grappling context. A decorated judoka by background, he operates out of an orthodox stance and stands five-foot-eleven, or 180 centimeters. His MMA career has shown a consistent wrestling and submission threat, averaging 3.47 takedowns and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes. His striking output sits at 1.41 significant strikes landed per minute at 36 percent accuracy, reflecting a style that leans heavily on the clinch and ground game rather than pure standup exchanges.

Popov, a 33-year-old Russian fighter, holds an impressive 22-2 professional record and presents a strikingly different statistical profile. At six-foot-two and 188 centimeters with a 75-inch reach, he carries a significant size advantage into the matchup. His most eye-catching number is a takedown rate of 17.31 per 15 minutes in MMA competition, underscoring a relentless wrestling-based approach. His striking accuracy of 66.07 percent is exceptionally high, though his submission attempt rate registers at zero, suggesting he favors positional dominance over finishing on the mat with submissions.

Why it matters

• Combat grappling rules remove striking, placing the entire emphasis on wrestling, takedowns, and submission skill — a format that could neutralize the size and explosive wrestling advantages Popov typically carries in MMA.
• Ishii's judo-influenced ground game and 1.6 submission attempts per 15 minutes in MMA indicate he has the technical tools to threaten from his back or in scrambles.
• The event in Moscow gives Popov a home-crowd setting while Ishii looks to remain relevant in combat sports at 39.
• The result could carry weight in both fighters' grappling and MMA profiles heading into the second half of 2026.