Top Ranked Lightweight Takanori Gomi has reportedly signed with another organization (other than the UFC), despite being seen at many UFC live events and being slated for a match up with rising star Frankie Edgar.
The Japanese fighter who many have ranked #1 in the world has chosen to stay away from the likes of BJ Penn and Sean Sherk, at least for the time being. Gomi's motives are unknown as this time, but with his last loss to Nick Diaz, it's unlikely that Gomi would choose to put his legacy on the line against an ever-motivated BJ Penn.
Penn fans point to an early career victory by the Prodigy over the Fireball Kid as reason enough to suggest that it is BJ, not Takanori, who should be regarded as the #1 155 pounder in the world. IWF believes these fans to be correct, listing BJ as #1 and Gomi and #2.
Whatever the reason behind the decision, fans won't be enjoying a match up between the technical wizards any time soon.
Friday, February 1, 2008
Gomi Deal Falls Through, Signs With World Victory Road
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Nick Diaz Returns Sept.15 in EliteXC
Nick Diaz will finally fight after a six month suspension due to a positive marijuana test which ruled his impressive gogoplata submission win over Takanori Gomi at PRIDE 33 a No Contest. Nick Diaz is ready to make a triumphant return on September 15th, this time at Elite XC's show in Hawaii.
EliteXC's event will take place in the beautiful Honolulu, Hawaii and its main event will feature EliteXC middleweight champion Murilo "Ninja" Rua versus ICON middleweight champion "Ruthless" Robbie Lawler.
Nick Diaz recently challenged StrikeForce middleweight champion Frank Shamrock, who most recently defeated Phil Baroni in stunning fashion, to a middleweight show down. However, EliteXC president Gary Shaw has confirmed that Diaz will be fighting at September's show at 160lbs.
Nick Diaz's opponent for September 15th has not yet been determined.
Nick Diaz's last fight before his suspension was at PRIDE 33 against PRIDE's current lightweight champion Takanori Gomi in a non-title fight, which took place on February 24 in Las Vegas. Diaz had originally won the fight by a gogoplata submission, which was the second successful attempt in PRIDE's history. After the fight, the NSAC declared that Diaz had tested positive for marijuana and ruled his win a "No Contest" along with a six month suspension and a fine of $3,000.
Nick Diaz's younger brother, Nate Diaz, recently won The Ultimate Fighter 5 television series.
Updates on Nick Diaz's opponent for September 15th should be announced soon.
The Lianger
Tuesday, July 17, 2007
Top 10 Fighters the UFC Need to Sign...NOW!
With the recent influx of PRIDE fighters into the UFC, there have definitely been some exciting fights and even more set to come in the future. However, there are still some fighters out there that White have yet to bring over to solidify the UFC as the top MMA organization, as far as talent goes. Here is my list of ten fighters not in the UFC, that includes WEC, I think White should definitely be going after for UFC's roster.
Fedor Emelianenko
Come on, the UFC need to grab Fedor already while he's still young. I have no interest in getting Fedor to the UFC five years down the line and watch young talent beat on him. The Fedor UFC deal has been so back and forth, I don't care what UFC president Dana White has to pay him, just pay the man what he wants and get him over here! I want it, the fans want it, the big man upstairs even wants it for his sake.
PRIDE's run out of competition to throw at Fedor, I mean, he's taken out everyone with the exception of Barnett. I'm sorry but I don't want to see another Fedor vs. Zulu again, that's just me. White's managed to snatch the majority of PRIDE's talent with Cro Cop, Noguiera, Herring, Filho (WEC), and "Shogun" Rua. Think of all the great possible matchups in the UFC, Emelianenko-Nog 4, Emelianenko-CC 2, Emelianenko-Couture, or how about, Emelianenko-ANY UFC HEAVYWEIGHT THEY THROW AT HIM.
Denis Kang
Now I know Denis Kang isn't the most popular fighter amongst the casual UFC fan but he has every right to be. Denis Kang is a damn exciting fighter. There's just something about him that catches my attention. Kang holds 27 wins in his fight record, composed of 15 submissions and 8 (T)KOs, pretty serious business if you ask me. I don't really know Kang's status as far as joining
the UFC, he was spotted in UFC lightweight Din Thomas' corner at UFC 71 - Liddell vs. Jackson, but who knows if that means anything. Kang is known mostly for his incredible explosiveness and well-rounded style of fighting, almost like Georges St. Pierre. Kind of reminds me of him too. Kang would be a solid addition to the UFC's middleweight division and would definitely pose a threat to any in that class. Kang is just in your face at all times and keeps the pressure on his
opponents. I think a fight against Anderson Silva and/or Rich Franklin could easily be dubbed as a "fight of the year."
Takanori Gomi
"The Fireball Kid" would definitely be a historical addition to the UFC's lightweight roster. BJ Penn's decision to remain a lightweight and Sean Sherk's growing popularity, the UFC's lightweight division can only further grow from here. With Gomi in the mix, it could make fights a lot more interesting. Penn actually scored a victory over Gomi back in 2003, but that would definitely be a rematch I'd like to see again. Gomi also knocked out Jens Pulver in 2004 at PRIDE's Shockwave 2004, a rematch between them would've been nice, though Pulver has recently moved to the WEC. I digress, my point is, Gomi has some solid talent, holds a current record of 27-3 and is still a pretty young guy with a bright future ahead of him.
Fantasy UFC matchups I'd stick around to see would be a rematch with Penn, Gomi-Sherk, and/or Gomi-Huerta. Haven't really heard any rumors or commotion about White making attempts to grab Gomi, but you never know. Let's just hope rumors arise sometime soon!
Norifumi "Kid" Yamamoto
"Kid" is an absolute ANIMAL in the ring. With 11 out of 15 wins ending in some way of knockout, he is DEFINITELY what drunk UFC want to see. "Kid" gained much popularity in Shooto for his aggressive, well-rounded and controversial persona. Yamamoto is considered to be a top lightweight fighter.
Yamamoto fights as a natural Featherweight @ 145 lbs. but has fought numerous lightweight fights @ 155 lbs., so I'm sure the transition wouldn't be too harsh on him.
I could most DEF. see "Kid" taking out Sean "The Muscle Shark," both possessing similar skills I see Kid taking the edge in the striking game and ultimately over Sherk. I think Yamamoto-Sherk would be an jaw-dropping fight through and through.
Wanderlei Silva
There is no need as to why the UFC should sign "The Axe Murderer." With a lethal combination of knees, punches, and kicks, there's so telling what Silva could bring to the UFC with elbows allowed. Wanderlei Silva would definitely be a nice addition to the light heavyweight division, although it would cause a bit of a conflict if Shogun ever was to hold the belt soon because Shogun stated in early interviews that he'd never fight Wanderlei Silva, though that may quickly change down the line.
With Silva in the picture, we could see a much needed rematch between him and Tito Ortiz, who LnP'd Silva for a decision in their first meeting. The fickleness of the Liddell-Silva fantasy matchup would have a stronger basis of happening and we could just see some bad ass action from Silva inside the Octagon.
Rameau Thierry Sokoudjou
Sokoudjou has certainly proved his skills and made a name for himself with his recent knockouts of Lil' Nog and Ricardo Arona. He definitely possess the skills to play with the big boys and now that he's actually looking for another organization to head to, I think White needs to step it up a notch and make sure he gets first dibs on Sokoudjou. There was actually news about Sokoudjou looking into the UFC, but he ended up not liking some things with the contract and he recently turned down EliteXC.
Nonetheless, White needs to work out the kinks in the contract that Sokoudjou doesn't like and bring him to the UFC. Sokoudjou is extremely talented and is well versed on his feet and was also the 2001 Open Judo competition.
Ricardo Arona
Yeah, Arona hasn't done much recently other than pounding Alistair Overeem's face in at PRIDE's Final Conflict Absolute back in '06, but the man still has some talent left in his tank. Arona holds a win over Wanderlei Silva, Kazushi Sakuraba, Jeremy Horn, PRIDE champion Dan Henderson and others. Arona is best recognized for his strength and considered by many to the best light heavyweights in MMA.
Though Arona has been shunned by many MMA fans for not trying to finish fight and rather settling for decision wins, I still think he'd be pretty exciting in the UFC.
Mark Hunt
Oh dear God, Mark Hunt is a must have in the UFC in my opinion. Hunt, the 2001 K-1 World Grand Prix champion, has most probably the most solid chin in MMA today. Hunt has also won K-1's 2001 Oceania GP and K-1's 2000 Oceania GP. Holding wins over Mirko "Cro Cop," Wanderlei Silva, and putting up a damn good fight against MMA God Fedor Emelianenko, I think Mark Hunt would definitely be a top contender in UFC's heavyweight division.
Hunt not only has a granite chin, that was able to take a CLEAN kick to the head from Cro Cop, he has world class striking abilities.
Hunt has showed the world what he's capable of Mark Hunt in his epic battle with K-1 top kickboxer Ray Sefo, where the two Samoans had one of the greatest fights in history to date. Also, in another battle Hunt faced Fedor in PRIDE Shockwave 2006, where he controlled Emelianenko most of the fight and was even able to counter what looked to be a threatening armbar. Hunt would be a major threat to every current UFC heavyweight I could think of. I would love to see Hunt crush Tim Sylvia. But then again, I'd love to see anyone crush Tim Sylvia, thanks Couture!
Great possible matchups with Hunt would include: Hunt-Sylvia, Hunt-CC rematch, Hunt-Monson, Hunt-Arlovski, and Hunt-Nogueira.
Josh Barnett
Josh Barnett needs to come BACK to the UFC. Barnett was the youngest UFC heavyweight champion after he defeated current UFC HW champion Randy couture, in early 2002. Barnett holds wins over Rodrigo Nogueira, Semmy Schilt, Randy Couture, and Dan Severn. Barnett was also a runner-up in PRIDE's 2006 World OWGP, but ultimately lost to Mirko "Cro Cop."
Now that PRIDE is on a rapid decline, I think it's time for Barnett to hop back on the UFC bandwagon and give his try at becoming the UFC heavyweight champion for the second time.
Cung Le
Cung Le brings a unique style to any organization he fights in. A San Shou kickboxing world competitor, Le brings to MMA a new style of striking. Le has the wildest Kung-Fu esque kicks you couldn't even imagine. Combining crisp punching, spinning back kicks, backward axe kicks, Le has won all his 4 MMA fights by way of knockout. Le also holds a 3-0 record in K-1 competitions.
Although many critics wonder if Cung Le has what it takes on the ground, he has shown impressive takedowns in his San Shou matches. Le has yet to have to take any fight to the ground, quickly dominating most of his opponents on the feet in the first round.
Cung Le currently fights for Strikeforce but, I'm sure Dana White could easily mold his future to the UFC with the help of some green paper.
I'm sure all MMA fans wouldn't mind seeing Cung Le and current UFC middleweight champion Anderson Silva square off in the Octagon!
