UFC Quick Quote: Takanori Gomi eager 'to test the waters overseas'
by MMAmania.com on May 11, 2009 8:54 PM EDT
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" ... it's the return, my mental mindset in coming back. Day by day, my chances become fewer and fewer, and the window to challenge myself overseas gets smaller and smaller. The opportunities are less and less now.... My time is running out ... I'd like to relax for a little bit, and if I continue fighting, I'd like to test the waters overseas.... Yeah, one fight at time. I want to help out my teammates and just take things one fight at a time... I'm coming soon! The Fireball Kid will be there!" [Laughs] I'd like to thank all of you [international fans], and continue to thank you for supporting me and MMA. You guys are important, and I'll continue to do my best. Oh, and tell Dana White I said, 'hi!'"
-- Former Pride FC lightweight deity Takanori Gomi talks to Sherdog.com about his fighting future after his recent knockout win over the promotion's 154-pound champion, Takashi Nakakura, in the second round of their non-title fight at Shooto: "The Final Tradition" this past weekend. "The Fireball Kid" flirted with the move a few years ago when Zuffa -- the UFC parent company -- purchased the Japan-based mixed martial arts promotion; however, he decided to stay loyal and close to home, competing in front of the fans who watched him ascend to stardom in the "Land of the Rising Sun." But now that he is getting older, 30, and the sport is struggling to survive in his homeland, Gomi -- who just snapped a back-to-back losing skid -- is considering jumping ship and giving the competition in the United States his best shot before closing out his sparkling career. Who's interested?
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he really looked on point in the shooto fight, absolutely crushing body shots all fight long.
id like to see how he does in the UFC or vs eddie alvarez somewhere.
by danburoojy on May 11, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
I agree that he did look good in his most recent bout, reminded of his destruction days in the Bushido events. I think most MMA fans would like to see him in the UFC….Spencer Fisher might be a good first test for him.
by HKM on May 11, 2009 10:25 PM EDT up reply actions
Winner of Uno Spencer it is then. Also keep an eye on Nakakura. He guarantee that he will find his way into the US, possibly at 145.
by NameNotRequired on May 11, 2009 11:04 PM EDT up reply actions
I’d start him off with Joe Lauzon, then if he wins, maybe Diaz before a title shot.
by ---Caesar--- on May 12, 2009 7:21 AM EDT up reply actions
MUSIC TO MY FOCKING EARS!!! Its no secret that Gomi is my favorite lightweight on earth. Yes, even more so then my hometown boy Alvarez n the great BJ Penn.
Gomi is easily the most exciting lightweight ever to put on a pair of mma gloves!
Feed him winner of Spencer/Uno…. Im down for that!
by john on May 12, 2009 8:58 AM EDT up reply actions
Been waiting for this a while now. Id love to see him test the waters in the LW division he has the nack’ to out hustle wrestler and would have KO that most LW in the UFC dont have. Gomi should be matched up with Diego sanchez, huerta or, Nate diaz.
by santiag69us on May 11, 2009 10:15 PM EDT reply actions
I literally JUST read this on Sherdog. I’d LOVE to see Gomi in the UFC. I said this on the most recent Gomi thread, but I hope if he comes, to get like 2 or 3 solid wins, then destroyed by BJ, Kenny, Sherk, Diego, and then let Nate have a shot at him. Make Gomi lose to both Diaz bros
by Synyster on May 11, 2009 10:27 PM EDT reply actions
Synys,if Gomi,can come train in the US…his game,will improve drastically.2-3 fights means around 1 year of full training in the States.By then Gomi,will be more than ready to face any of these guys…He’ll be especially ready to take his revenge on BJ!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 11, 2009 11:06 PM EDT up reply actions
Exactly. Which means there will be no excuses. I honestly think BJ and Sherk would definitely beat him, and Kenny and Deigo have a good chance against him. I’d save Nate as his exit fight out of the UFC. Kinda like Nick was his last fight in PRIDE. Except UFC wont die.
by Synyster on May 11, 2009 11:36 PM EDT up reply actions
LOL!Also hope that the Diaz fight wont be changed in a NC!
by Alpha Male 360 on May 11, 2009 11:53 PM EDT up reply actions
No shit john. lol. I was saying match Nate with him after Gomi gets at least 5 fights in the UFC. I think Nate would me MORE than ready then. Thats like 2 years.
by Synyster on May 12, 2009 1:14 PM EDT up reply actions
thats more reasonable. I only said that because Nate Diaz is one of the most over rated fighters in the UFC…if im keeping it real! He is a great fighter, and a FOCKING PROBLEM in the future, but RIGHT nOW, I think he is still has much improving to do because I think he will struggle with all the wrestlers in the LHW division. wrestlers like TYson, Guida, Sherk, Edgar, Lauzon, Diego, and Maynard even…those guys will throw Nate around Physically and they all have really good submission defense! too many great wrestlers in the UFC, so I cant really see Nate going on a serious winning streak right now.
now if Nate goes in there and STOPS JOe daddy, a major wrestler at 155, with serious sub skills….then I will take this entire post back.
Right now, I think Nate’s more suited for Kenny Florian type opponents, instead of the sean sherks of the LHW division.
in 2 years, I would really like to see nate Diaz v. Ken Flow!
by john on May 12, 2009 4:29 PM EDT up reply actions
Dont get it twisted…I am a die hard Diaz fan, just trying to keep it real. People are so enamored with his skills and potential that I think they tend to over rate him a little bit.
For example: Question: How many of you guys would pick him as the favorite over Joe Daddy?
by john on May 12, 2009 4:30 PM EDT up reply actions
I don’t think that it,would be realistic to choose Diaz over Joe Daddy,though…i wasn’t expecting him to win against Batman and the Dentist,and look what happened!BTW john it’s LW
by Alpha Male 360 on May 12, 2009 4:46 PM EDT up reply actions
I think Joe Daddy may have the advantage on the ground, albeit a slight one. Hes real compact, so that would be a problem. HOWEVER, if Nate uses his reach and boxing skills more in a more disciplined way (as opposed to the way he used it in the Guida fight) I think he can win the fight.
Also. Nate needs to get rid of his little standing kimura. the one where he gives up his back in the clinch. I watched him vs Assuncao the other day and he did the same thing. End result is always the same: opponent takes/slams him down and takes his back, and the Kimura never works. That move lost him the fight vs Guida I think.
John- I think Nate has a good shot at beating all those guys minues Tyson and Sherk. Remember he subbed Gray Maynard on the show, and I think he’s better everywhere vs Joe Lauzon. Edgar’s wrestling would be neutralized by his jits and submission attempts. Nate vs Diego would be a GREAT fight. Diego seems like a kickboxer more than a submission wrestler nowadays, so it’ll be interesting to see if how he comes to fight. But yeah, Nate MAY be slightly overrated, but I don’t think its as bad a Ben Saunders or Anthony Johnson. At least Nate’s beat some good guys (Batman, Neer). Who have those 2 beat? Dan Barrera, Wolff, Luigi, Kevin Burns? Yeah Nate isn’t as overrated at all compared to them.
by Synyster on May 12, 2009 5:12 PM EDT up reply actions
tyson griffin visited japan a while ago and said gomi was partying and out of shape. hopefully he’s actually training these days and making it out to other camps to work on his weak points
by quidnunc on May 11, 2009 10:32 PM EDT reply actions
he looked alot better at final tradition
heard he stopped training with his students and trained with better guys
he needs it, lots of potential still. just hitting his prime.
by danburoojy on May 11, 2009 10:57 PM EDT up reply actions
other way around. Gomi went to Vegas on vacation and was partying and vacationing but helped Tyson train for the Aurelio fight.
by R/p on May 11, 2009 11:51 PM EDT up reply actions
i would love to see him fight diego sanchez……..or bj after he loses the belt.
by child on May 11, 2009 10:40 PM EDT reply actions
I am for sure on board, exciting fighter when his mind is in the right spot. I also agree with HKM, Fisher would be a good first fight. Makes sense too, Fisher is welcoming back Caol Uno, seems like the UFC likes Fisher as the measuring stick. If Kenflo loses to BJ, I would also like to see Gomi v Kenflo.
If Gomi comes over…Uno and Gomi…Cmon Shinya, make it a threesome!
by efisher on May 11, 2009 10:56 PM EDT reply actions
There are a bunch of good fight possiblities in the UFC for Gomi. Hope it happens!
by blackBEERd on May 11, 2009 11:27 PM EDT reply actions
i’m calling Gomi to crash and burn in the UFC. Gomi loses to BJ, Sherk, Kenny, Diego, Nate, Guida etc etc. just watch. perhaps the most overrated lw in the world.
by JB on May 12, 2009 12:15 AM EDT reply actions
I know Gomi has all the skills to be successful in the UFC. Back in 2004 he was my favorite fighter. If he is anything like his old self he will give a lot of guys problems. Watch.
by scissorfight on May 12, 2009 12:59 AM EDT up reply actions
He looked terrible against Nick Diaz; even gave up, if I remember right.
by charlyw on May 12, 2009 12:58 AM EDT reply actions
He gassed a little but Nick has crazy cardio and is waaay bigger than he is.
by scissorfight on May 12, 2009 1:00 AM EDT up reply actions
if he gasses against diaz, how will he do against the sherks, edgars, ken-flos, huertas, maynards you know, guys that we know can go a strong 3-5 rounds?
by JB on May 12, 2009 12:31 PM EDT up reply actions
This is a HUGE opportunity for the UFC and Gomi.
Gomi vs:
BJ
Sherk
Kenny
Guida
Tyson
Uno
Diego
ALL very interesting match-uos that i’d pay to see any day!
(granted hed lose to Bj & Sherk)
by SoCalStunNa on May 12, 2009 1:20 AM EDT reply actions
ahh huerta is a actor now apparently he can make more money acting in movies we will never see.
by desperus on May 12, 2009 1:42 AM EDT reply actions
This is awesome news, I’d love to see Gomi in the UFC. He’s struggled recently but it sounds like he’s back to his best. A focused Gomi would give any UFC LW a lot of trouble. I’d also like to see him face the Fisher-Uno winner. If he’s genuinely interested then Dana should sign him up, as he’d be a great addition and would further legitimise the LW division as well as help with any plans to put on shows in Japan.
by David W-S on May 12, 2009 6:08 AM EDT reply actions
I think the winner of Fisher-Uno, as a few people have said, is a great idea. Would love to see Gomi and Fisher just bang it out.
by WB on May 12, 2009 8:37 AM EDT up reply actions
gomi was a monster in his prime,look at his record,he would smash most the lw’s aside from penn for now,also yushin gona smash silva
by gomii on May 12, 2009 7:05 AM EDT reply actions
Ok this is how it works
Gomi will lose to Sherk, BJ or Diego.
He would destroy everyone else.
But the sad thing is Shinya Aoki is alot better and would probably not lose to anyone in UFC in LW division.
Did you ever see that guy go’er.
youtube him
by SHAMWOW on May 12, 2009 7:49 AM EDT reply actions
Gomis gotta have his Mad Capsule Market Pride music and slot machine entrance video. Its a HUUUGE dissapointment Nog dosnt use his Pride music
by Chuck on May 12, 2009 8:46 AM EDT reply actions
Too little, too late. Gomi would be out-sized and out-worked by most LW’s on the UFC roster. Japanese fighters have traditionally underwhelmed in the UFC, and they are very poor at weight cutting in comparison to American fighters.
A Gomi/Hughes figher in 2004 would have been awesome. But Gomi in 2009 is past his prime.
by Drake_Labatt on May 12, 2009 9:52 AM EDT reply actions
The guy I want to see in the UFC is Aoki but maybe Gomi is getting back to his old self. A Japanese UFC event must be happening this year. Maybe in the autumn. Okami, Akiyama, Uno back in the fold, now Gomi. I hope it happens.
by RobH86 on May 12, 2009 1:35 PM EDT reply actions
Gomi in shape is still a top 10 LW in the world. i know he dropped 2 of his last fights but he got caught by Satoru Kitaoka and anyone who saw the Sergey Golyaev fight knows Gomi won 2 of the 3 rounds for the decision. Gomi will just bolster an already deep UFC LW division.
by dw on May 12, 2009 2:49 PM EDT reply actions
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