Takanori “The Fireball Kid” Gomi to the UFC

**PizDoff** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 1:33pm

“The Fireball Kid” is Here – Gomi Signs with The UFC
By Thomas Gerbasi

January 2 – For years, Takanori Gomi’s name has been prominently mentioned when the subject of the best fighters in the world, pound for pound, was discussed. In 2010, “The Fireball Kid” will enter the UFC’s Octagon for the first time to make his long-awaited debut in the premier mixed martial arts organization.

“I didn’t want my career to end before fighting in the most prestigious competition in the world,” said Gomi, whose arrival was announced during Saturday’s UFC 108 pay-per-view broadcast. “I want to challenge anything in life that gets me fired up. Right now, my challenge is to become the champion in the UFC.”

A former PRIDE lightweight and SHOOTO welterweight champion, Kanagawa, Japan’s Gomi has competed with the top international competition for over 11 years, first making an impact in mixed martial arts circles when he defeated the legendary Rumina Sato for the SHOOTO title in 2001.

From there, it was practically one big fight after another for Gomi, whose stellar wrestling ability and two-fisted knockout power thrilled fight fans. In 2004, he made his debut in PRIDE with a first round TKO of Jadson Costa that kicked off one of the greatest runs in the organization’s history. From 2004 to 2007, Gomi went 13-1 with 1 NC, defeating Ralph Gracie (with a PRIDE record six second KO), Jens Pulver, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Luiz Azeredo, and David Baron, among others, while winning the 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix that earned him the first PRIDE lightweight championship.

With his stint in PRIDE done, Gomi (31-5, 1 NC) has gone on to win four of his last six bouts, including two in a row, and now he feels that the time is right to test himself in the UFC.

“After fighting in major promotions such as PRIDE and SENGOKU, I became a free agent and fought the SHOOTO champion (Takashi Nakakura),” said Gomi. “Then, I just finished fighting in Vale Tudo Japan, and was considering new challenges. I'm getting to the age where I'm peaking physically, and training at the AKA (American Kickboxing Academy) Gym recently was a great motivation to make bigger changes in my career.”

In the UFC, Gomi will be consistently pushed by the best lightweights in the game, something he is looking forward to, as he respects the entire 155-pound roster.

“Starting with BJ Penn, I feel that all the fighters are at a high level,” said Gomi, who obviously has his sights set on the man at the top. Penn is also someone Gomi has a little history with, having lost in the third round to “The Prodigy” back in 2003.

“There's a lot to be learned from BJ's fighting spirit,” said Gomi. “Obviously my only goal is to get to his level, and this will be a great challenge to me as a fighter, to see if I can remain as a top level fighter. And of course it would mean a lot of become the champion, but I'm not looking that far ahead. For me, right now, the goal is to become THE UFC fighter and to fight in front of the fans here.”

Staying at the top of his game shouldn’t be an issue, given his recent victories and his desire to keep pushing himself in the gym and in competition. And if Gomi has his way, he may just be getting started in his MMA career.

“At my age I need to train harder than ever,” he admits. “But all I need to do is to do just that and continue to climb towards my goals. If I could, I would love to continue this career until I'm 60, like the famous Japanese singer Eikichi Yazawa.”

But what will the reaction be to his UFC signing back home in Japan, where Gomi has become a superstar and a staple of fight cards there?

“I have fans that want to see me in the USA, and I have other fans that want to continue to see me in Japan,” admits Gomi. “The only downside is my mother will complain that she won't be able to see the fights (smiles). I believe Japan's MMA will continue to be supported by young up-and-coming stars, like the Judo Gold Medalist (Satoshi) Ishii. But right now, I want the fans in the WORLD to enjoy my fights.”

They will. And if you haven’t seen Gomi in action before, we’ll just let him describe his style.

“I'm trying to become like (boxing star) Manny Pacquiao,” he said. “Charging forward with a flurry of punches.”

Looks like it’s going to be a fun year in the lightweight division.

http://www.ufc.com/index.cfm?fa=news.detail&gid=37000

Is it too late to care?
I'm a huge fan of Gomi, but that was during his Pride FC days, has he gone too long without the high level of competition that the UFC will now offer him?
What are some possible match ups you guys see that would be good for the sport?

What do you guys think about this Rascal?

**G-Off** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 1:48pm

This is Chuck/Wanderlei 2. Such a shame. In 2006 this would've been electric, but I find it hard to believe Gomi will mount any real challenge to the belt given his recent performances. Gomi's style is a good fit against BJ and the lightweight division as a whole too...good wrestling, decent striking, substantial power. I just don't have any faith that he can still implement his game successfully at the top levels of MMA.

**Phrost** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 3:04pm

Anyone else notice how at 108 he was getting irritated at the cameraman being in his face for an uncomfortably long period? I was watching that part with the sound off, so it might have been easier to notice.

**Scott Larson** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 3:22pm

I seemed like they like putting the camera in all the fighters faces for too long. Rashad looked like he was gonna get a cramp from smiling for so long. At least Uriah ignored it.

I also think Gomi's got nothing left. The only hope I have is if he can pull a Shogun and have some shitty fights, then get his act together. I think no matter what it will help the division at least.

**Gypsy Jazz** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 4:53pm

Maybe not as his first fight, but I think Gomi vs Stevenson would be a good match.

**datdamnmachine** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 5:23pm

Originally Posted by G-Off

This is Chuck/Wanderlei 2. Such a shame. In 2006 this would've been electric, but I find it hard to believe Gomi will mount any real challenge to the belt given his recent performances. Gomi's style is a good fit against BJ and the lightweight division as a whole too...good wrestling, decent striking, substantial power. I just don't have any faith that he can still implement his game successfully at the top levels of MMA.

Honestly, he couldn't do much against BJ when BJ was relying on pure talent alone. He's royally fucked now that BJ is training like a man possessed and essentially hanging scalps of the entire lightweight division on his fireplace.

Originally Posted by Scott Larson

I seemed like they like putting the camera in all the fighters faces for too long. Rashad looked like he was gonna get a cramp from smiling for so long. At least Uriah ignored it.

I also think Gomi's got nothing left. The only hope I have is if he can pull a Shogun and have some shitty fights, then get his act together. I think no matter what it will help the division at least.

I've always been of the mindset that Shogun's issues was with him being injured. Shugun healthy and fighting regularly is a very dangerous man for anyone in the lightweight division. Look at his fight after his injury against Mark Coleman in their first fight. After that, he was good to go.

**G-Off** · Posted On: 1/04/2010 8:43pm

Originally Posted by Gypsy Jazz

Maybe not as his first fight, but I think Gomi vs Stevenson would be a good match.

Can we officially call Stevenson "gatekeeper" yet?

Originally Posted by datdamnmachine

Honestly, he couldn't do much against BJ when BJ was relying on pure talent alone. He's royally fucked now that BJ is training like a man possessed and essentially hanging scalps of the entire lightweight division on his fireplace.

Shhhh, half the UFC fanbase hasn't seen that fight, therefore it didn't happen. I know Gomi doesn't really present a huge challenge, but at his peak he kept it competitive, which is more than you can say for any of BJ's most recent challengers. Yes, I know BJ is a different fighter now (in a better sense) and yes, Gomi is a different fighter now (in a worse sense), but it's better in the marketing sense to have a fresh face, and I think Gomi's style is the lesser of two evils compared to a wrestling or submission specialist. The LW division has lots of good wrestlers, but very few with Gomi's power.

**datdamnmachine** · Posted On: 1/05/2010 12:23am

Originally Posted by G-Off

Can we officially call Stevenson "gatekeeper" yet?

Shhhh, half the UFC fanbase hasn't seen that fight, therefore it didn't happen. I know Gomi doesn't really present a huge challenge, but at his peak he kept it competitive, which is more than you can say for any of BJ's most recent challengers. Yes, I know BJ is a different fighter now (in a better sense) and yes, Gomi is a different fighter now (in a worse sense), but it's better in the marketing sense to have a fresh face, and I think Gomi's style is the lesser of two evils compared to a wrestling or submission specialist. The LW division has lots of good wrestlers, but very few with Gomi's power.

...sorry, forgot about the marketing aspect. What was I thinking...

Seriously though, yeah, I see your point. They probably won't show highlights of him getting completely owned by Penn but maybe the few competitive moments he was able to muster up. They will show highlights of him brutally destroying some of the other guys he's been up against, considering they have the Pride catalog and all. But, as White said, Gomi will have to earn his title shot with at least two standout performances.

And unfortunately, yes, Stevenson is probably officially a gatekeeper. With BJ Penn as the champ and Florian (in my opinion) the true number 2 in that division I don't see how he takes them out unless he suddenly unleashes his inner Fedor.

**chaosexmachina** · Posted On: 1/05/2010 1:04am

Originally Posted by Phrost

Anyone else notice how at 108 he was getting irritated at the cameraman being in his face for an uncomfortably long period? I was watching that part with the sound off, so it might have been easier to notice.

YES. This even made me pissed off. How long do I have to look at his ugly mug!?

**Kambei Shimada** · Posted On: 1/05/2010 3:47am

Sigh... Gomi is one of my all time favourite fighters but he has'nt really looked World Class for a few years now. I cant help but think his best days are behind him. Saying that im sure he'll still be pretty entertaining to watch.

Aoki would have been a better acquisition.