Takanori Gomi Announces Last Fight in Japan; Plans to Fight Stateside and Become a Surfer
Takanori Gomi, a top lightweight fighter that has had a tough go of things recently, announced Tuesday that his upcoming bout at Vale Tudo Japan ‘09 would be his final fight in Japan. “The Fireball Kid” made the announcement during a press conference to promote the October 30th event, and his official involvement in it.
Gomi also made the strange announcement that in addition to attempting to move his MMA career to the US he would also be pursuing a second professional career as a surfer.
Gomi was once seen as one of the top Japanese fighters in the lightweight division, after putting together a 32-3 record before 2007. In February of 2007, however, Gomi suffered defeat at the hands of Nick Diaz at Pride 33, a result that the NSAC later overturned due to a positive drug test by Diaz. Since that bout he has gone 3-2 with surprising losses to Sergey Golyaev and Satoru Kitaoka, and a most recent victory over Takashi Nakakura in his last outing.
Gomi had been scheduled to make his first return to the US since the Diaz bout at Affliction: Trilogy, before the event was canceled. Thus far there are no rumors as to what US based organization may look to pick up the Japanese fighter, if any.
Tags: Takanori Gomi
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1. This would have been really awesome news about 3 years ago.
2. I hope he doesn’t plan on signing with M~1 presents StrikeForce.
3. I never figured him for a pro-surfer.
A few years too late i guess……..
I heard he was Keanu Reeves’ stunt double in the movie Point Break….
GO GO Gomi!!!!!!!!!
Maybe this is a case of better late than never?
The WEC could probably find a roster spot for Gomi, but I’m thinking that org is going to be absorbed by year’s end.
The UFC doesn’t really need Gomi, but if Penn buzzsaws thru Sanchez and I guess maybe Maynard if they follow thru and give him a shot like he did Sherk and Florian, he might need a new opponent by mid-to-late 2010.
I suppose Dana could craft some sort of backstory about Gomi FINALLY coming to America to revenge his 2003 loss to Penn in Honolulu or something to that effect, although I imagine he’d need a few quality wins first.
Those wins would be problematic, because I dont see Gomi in 2009/10 beating people like Florian unless he’s completely retrofit his game and attitude.
Strikeforce sounds like a good fit for Gomi.
IMO their fans are a little less UFCentric, and a little more savvy regarding Japanese and maybe Brazilian fighters.
I wish him well regardless of where he turns up stateside…
Gomi fighting in either Strikeforce or the UFC would be a good fit, I also know that he demands a heck of payday that I doubt either org would be willing to pay at this time… He is 30~5 which is awesome and at one point was considered the #1 LW in the world then some cat by the name of BJ Penn came and just stole that shhhh away from him..
I personally am more interested in seeing a rematch with Diaz if they could every agree on a weight, I do wish Gomi well I’ve always enjoyed his fights and when (if) he trains seriously he is a handful for anyone…
I’m A MMA fan
This is great news I was really hoping that Gomi still wanted to fight in the US after what happened with Affliction. Gomi is hands down my favorite japanese fighters, maybe behind or tied with Sakuraba. He still has a iron chin and Great power in his hands. Now I’m justing waiting to hear what the hell is going on with Kid Yamamoto, is he going to the WEC or what?