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**dudeabides** · 11-18-2009, 12:14 AM

Quote:

"I disembarked to Las Vegas on Friday 13 with two goals in mind. The priority is to solve my professional situation in America before my marriage. I hope the negotiations go on and I can have a starting point next year. My friend Tito Ortiz has been supporting me as he knows the scenes from this side of Pacific. I will talk to UFC officials and I hope a good agreement this time to show off my potential and get the belt that belongs to me. If I haven't good conversations with Zuffa, Strikeforce is an option and I hope I'm not here only to tourism." - Takanori Gomi

Former Pride lightweight champion and pound-for-pound great Takanori Gomi expresses his desire to revitalize his once stallar MMA career by taking his considerable skills stateside.

Once considered the best lightweight in the world, Gomi (30-5) has gone a pedestrian 2-2 in his last 4 contests, dropping back-to-back losses to Sergey Golyaev and Satoru Kitaoka respectively. He has since won two straight and is looking to get back to prominance in the lightweight division by finding success in the U.S., either with the UFC or Strikeforce.

Gomi was set to make his U.S. debut against Rafaello Oliveira at Affiction 3, but the event was cancelled at the last minute, sending Gomi and dozen's of other fighters scrambling for other fights. Many were picked up by Strikeforce, some like Oliveira signed on with the UFC.

Gomi appears to be considering both options, but would appears to be leaning toward the UFC at this time with the support of good friend Tito Ortiz and to get the belt that "belongs to him."

http://www.fiveknuckles.com/mma-news...nns-title.html

**swpthleg** · 11-18-2009, 12:48 AM

I'd be thrilled if he signed with Strikeforce, because then I have a greater chance of not having to pay to see him fight.

joshua7789 · 11-18-2009, 12:55 AM

I would really like to see how he would stack up in the UFC these days, but maybe Strikeforce is a better choice for him. His fight with Bj Penn was pretty one sided and Bj has only gotten better while Gomi has seemed to lose a step or two. He would have a much better chance of getting a title in Strikeforces lightweight division.

CaliKid925 · 11-18-2009, 01:15 AM

I dont know if he can hang with the top fighters in the UFC, he has lost 2 of his last 4 and he got beat up pretty bad by Nick Diaz in the no contest, it would be interesting though to see how he would compete, the UFC should give him a shot.

**WouldLuv2FightU** · 11-18-2009, 08:16 AM

Gomi might end up fighting at 170 these days, he was always kind of a big lightweight usually weighing in around 165 or so if I remember right. I know Pride's LW division was heavier than the UFC's.

Whether he's at 155 or 170 I think he should try Strikeforce first. He's not as great as he once was. Plus he needs to rematch Nick Diaz for sure.

luminary · 11-18-2009, 06:51 PM

Gomi best performances are behind him imo, tho it would be nice to see him in the UFC.

**vandalian** · 11-20-2009, 12:20 AM

I don't know if he'd have much success in the UFCF lightweight division, but I'm interested to see him try.

jcc78 · 11-20-2009, 12:27 AM

I think hes washed up and cant hang with the top 10 ufc lightweights, but he can still put on some good shows.

RUmbleBOnes · 11-20-2009, 11:58 AM

Hmm thats suprising. I guess Ill always love Gomi from his old PrideFC days; great hands and foot work, a big head that can take a punch, good subs and GnP and good cardio. If (like Shogun) can bring all that back; give em a crack at a top 10 LW in the UFC, see how he does....

fujita · 11-21-2009, 08:37 AM

I think fighting in the US is exactly what Gomi needs. His recent performances have been down to him not being hungry. I think once he starts fighting in the US where he isn't a massive star he'll get that hunger and fire back.

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