UFC Fight Night 119: Dong Hyun Kim knocks out faded Gomi in first round

Takanori Gomi and Dong Hyun Kim went up against each other tonight (Fri., Sept. 22, 2017) at UFC Fight Night 117 inside Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan, which aired live on FXX (not FOX Sports 1). It should be noted that Kim is the lightweight Kim with the Fight of the Year contender against Polo Reyes, not the better-known welterweight judoka of the same name.

Both fighters had a history of slugging it out, but Kim was 29 years old, while Gomi was 39. That decade makes a difference, as the fight was to show.

Gomi came out standing wide, as he normally does. He switched stances as the fighters felt the range out cautiously. Gomi looked to press forward in a southpaw stance, searching for that overhand or hook. He went down from Kim’s first heavy punch, a rear straight, and covered up as Kim began to pour on the hammerfists. The referee didn’t want to see Gomi take any excessive damage, and called the bout. That was a very quick KO, and was perhaps the best possible outcome in that it involved Gomi taking minimal damage for his paycheck.

Kim’s entire interview was in Korean, and it was translated into English and then Japanese. He said his plan was to limit the time in boxing range, which he was successful at, darting in for the definitive punch at the right moment. Gomi was his hero, which is always a mixed emotion for a younger fighter.

Official result: Dong Hyun Kim def. Takanori Gomi via TKO at 1:30 of round 1

For complete Fight Night 117 results, including play-by-play, click here