The UFC still has interest in Takanori Gomi

[BigBanda]

Originally Posted by NinjaShogunRua

You could possibly see Gomi fight for WVR. They are holding an event called Sengoku in March. It has a few former PRIDE fighters like Hidehiko Yoshida, Kazuo Misaki, Makoto Takimoto, Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos and Phil Baroni.

SENGOKU OFFICIAL WEBSITE


Also, there are major rumors out of Japan that K-1(FEG), and former PRIDE employees (DSE) will unite for a new MMA event called "DREAMS". They will use K-1's TV deal and DSE's production and will scrap the HERO'S format, as it's not very popular at the moment. This is only rumor for now, but if it does officially happen, it would be likely that Gomi would fight there if he doesn't sign with the UFC.

2008-01-11 - JPN MMA News-from SAMURAI NATION

Yeah one thing is for sure... Gomi has been very vocal about wanting to stay in Japan and fight so I think that is what has been pulling him away from inking a deal with Zuffa yet.

[dofking]

Jet-lag, the presence of BJ Penn, American UFC fans( the bros especially), and most importanly $$$$.

Some cons if Gomi joined UFC.

[smoogy]

Unless they bowl him over with a huge offer and also guarantee he will be given marquee fighter treatment, there is no way Gomi signs with the UFC.

[jlruthven84]

Originally Posted by BigBanda

Yeah one thing is for sure... Gomi has been very vocal about wanting to stay in Japan and fight so I think that is what has been pulling him away from inking a deal with Zuffa yet.

That's what I've gathered as well. I don't think he'd be ducking anyone or holding out for a bigger deal, I just get the impression that he'd rather stay over there. Be a shame, though...I'd love to see him go up against Penn, Sherk, Stevenson, Gamburyan, Griffin...all those guys and more.

[BigBanda]

Originally Posted by jlruthven84

That's what I've gathered as well. I don't think he'd be ducking anyone or holding out for a bigger deal, I just get the impression that he'd rather stay over there. Be a shame, though...I'd love to see him go up against Penn, Sherk, Stevenson, Gamburyan, Griffin...all those guys and more.

Yeah he has great matches waiting for him in the UFC but he also does elsewhere. Thing it may boil down to is what Smoogy said. It is a long shot because of his love to fight in Japan, but Gomi at UFC 79 and speaking with Dana does give some hope for the ones wanting to see him with the UFC.

[Kansas]

If I were a fighter, I would care deeply about how I was treated by the fan base. Gomi has it made in Japan. In America, he he is hardly known at this point. Even fighters that are known are not always treated that well.

Rampage has been adjusting to all of this and has talked about it quite a bit and he is American. If I am Gomi, I stay where I am loved.

Selfishly, of course I want to see the great fighters all in one place but I am going to see great fights no matter what and the UFC will end up with some organizations that fill Pride's shoes. The shuffle is on to see which organizations can acheive it but sooner or later it will happen.

[markzabin]

Guarantee Gomi a Japan show every year which Dana should be doing anyway, that should help snatch him.

[2mcgrath]

i really hope he comes over to the ufc.we could see alot of good fights at lw

[SumsNews]

What about a rematch with Jens Pulver? That first fight was a nice display of stand-up from both fighters. Plus, Jens seems to be back and better than before after watching his fight with Cub Swanson.

[twankydawg]

I'm kinda thinking that Gomi is still under contract with Pride. If that's the case, then he's either lobbying to try to get out of it, or Dana is trying to use it to strongarm him into signing a new deal. I'd love to see him in the UFC at 155 or 170lbs, he'd be a great addition to either already stacked division.