Takanori Gomi says he could "easily" take the belt away from Frankie Edgar, as BJ Penn wants to fight as soon as possible
Posted on September 1, 2010, 09:17 AM by Daniel CassidyDespite a disappointing first UFC bout against Kenny Florian, ever since Takanori Gomi made light work of Tyson Griffin, many are calling this his "second coming". A brutal knockout, not seen since the early days of the "Fireball Kid", has prompted this, and now fans and clambering to see if he can follow it up in his next bout. Even UFC President enjoyed the performance enough to award Gomi The Knockout of the Night award, as well as a sweet little bonus.
But since it would appear Gomi himself believes he is on a comeback trail, he has some strong idea's about his next opponent. Speaking at the UFC Undisputed 2010 Japan press conference, Gomi told his native crowd:
"BJ (Penn) and (Kenny) Florian have a jiu-jitsu base so I had a hard time dealing with them but the champion has a wrestling base so I can fight him calmly. I’m aiming for the belt? Yes, I am. I think I can take the belt. Hmmm…I wonder if I’m stronger than the champ?" (Gomi smiles)
Gomi, one time top of every Lightweight rankings board the world over, is currently 32-6-0-2 overall. His vicious striking and speed earned him his nickname during his PRIDE days. In his last 6 fights, Gomi has went 3-3.
Meanwhile, BJ Penn released another video addressing his fans, where he talks about his intentions to return as soon as possible. The former Champ was seen in a disappointing (at least from Penn's perspective) at this weekends UFC 118, where he dropped a unanimous 50-45 decision to Frankie Edgar, in a rematch of their UFC 112 bout. With both fighters looking for opponents, could we see BJ Penn vs Takanori Gomi? Much has changed since Penn defeated Gomi via rear naked choke in 2003, and a rematch would guarantee a huge crowd.
Comments
Yeah, BJ against Gomi would be a great match up! Im pleased to see that BJ wants to get back to the ring. I still think he has a lot to give. specially if he changes camp (the instructions on his corner were pathetic to say the least) and comes with a different mental atitutude.
BJ worst enemy seems to be himself really. If he had the mental focus most fighters have, he would be undefeated at lightweight!
no way, gomi looked horrible against kenny
I say Nate Diaz should fight BJ Penn. Would make for a great fight
I agree, but don't see Diaz dropping weight again anytime soon or BJ going up in weight.
would be good....
Diaz said himself at the post fight conference that he wants to fight a solid contender at 155 pounds. Nate Diaz only fought at 170 because he said he hated cutting weight but will continue to fight at lightweight. So i hope dana gives him Gomi. I have evil intentions behind this too though because i want Nate Diaz's head on a stick >=] hahaha
oops not Gomi, i mean BJ lol.....i got the name Gomi stuck in my head. But actually i will go along with my error.... Penn vs Diaz or Gomi vs Diaz. Both would be good fights.
Gomi vs Diaz is a really marketable fight because of Gomi vs Nick Diaz, it would b great to see how his brother does against Gomi
yeah i think it would make for a great fight since Gomi finished someone who never gets finished and Nate finished 2 bottom teir WW....i dont know why i got 2 weaks for my previous comment but obviously some slow people like Gray Maynard type fights instead of stand up wars.
Only reason i don't wnt to see Gomi vs Penn is cause both of them are two of my fav fighters, if Penn loses hes basically done and if Gomi loses its going to be hard for him to get a title shot having lost to Kenflo before
Your right about that no doubt, but check this out it technically took BJ 8 rounds to shoot for 1 takedown on Edgar when he did he got mount in like 3 secs sure Edgar did well to escape but guys like GSP would have done that in the first round that the difference. I'm glad to hear him mention the ''CAMP'' issue hopefully he realizes that his corner might as well have not been there.
Gomi vs Guida??
I understand not wanting to see ur favorite fighters fight eachother. in 1 case it's a win win and in another its a lose lose. and in this case it def leans more toward lose lose for you, as ur point is very valid. BUT honestly I think this is the best matchup rite now. If Penn loses another he's not done he's just outta the title picture and he'll stick around and gatekeep for a while testing out some younger upcoming fighters. and Gomi if he loses which I'm pretty sure he will he'll probably plant himself outta the title picture for good which in my opinion is where he belongs... This isn't Pride and this isn't his Pride days. yes he K.O'd a very tough Tyson Griffin QUICK but to me it was to quick any1 can get caught he didn't show me enuff to overturn the TERRIBLE showing he had vs Ken-Flo. I want to see Gomi either fight a top tier fighter and Bj would really show if he's Back or just landed a strong shot in his last fight.
gomi is a top level fighter and would KO kenny florian in a rematch. he wasnt in good shape for their first fight. gomi has knocked to many people out for his win over griffin to be considerd a fluke
basicly done if he looses? lol...
Yeah he got choked out by kenny, what does he think would happen with bj? BJ is not tyson griffin and will not get right hand punched easily.
no chit Kenny phucked him up no way just because he is
a smaller light weight dude has skills and great movement
i would love to see this rematch, and it could be an epic one at that, Gomi is one of my favourites of all time and I cannot wait, I cannot wait for this fight lol
I think Gomi is the best LW in the history of MMA, just look at his record he is 32-6 while Penn is only 11-3-1, Gomi has acomplished more in this division to, becoming the first ever Pride LW champ and winning the Pride LW Grand Prix and also having a 13 fight win streak in Pride, if Gomi becomes the UFC champ I don't think anyone can deny hes the best ever
i agree gomi is best LW ever!!
i would love to see BJ try to stand with Gomi!
and see if Gomi can KO bj to retirement , because thats what he will need to do if he lose again for his own sake.
but more than that a rematch with Serra at 170 would be even better.
BJ has got to go to a different camp, and train with other top fighters. Im pretty sure hes ' the guy to train with' at his gym. He just needs to be pushed some more.
@ DB
I think he's bi-polar. It would explain a great deal.
BJ beat the shit out of Gomi a few years ago. If they fought again, Gomi will get beat down again. Look for the fight on you tube. It's worth the watch.
a few years ago??? it was 7 years ago bro, BJ actually had hair back then, alot changes in 7 years man, and based on penns recent form i wouldnt bet against a Gomi KO
yeah if penn stood and trade shots with gomi, he'd get sparked in my opinion, so would edgar. edgar will think nobody can trade with him now but gomi has more ko power than anybody in the div
Edgar is way too slick for Gomi. He totally outclassed the greatest ever LW for 5 rounds and you saying someone BJ destroyed will KO him.
Edgars resume is awesome. Take a look at it sometime and realise he been underrated for a while now because he isnt a great finisher, but believe me he is way above Gomi's level.
For a second, when the video started, I thought it was Bono and then I realized it was BJ, with his "bug" (looking) glasses. I love these on him; it's a great (4 days later) post fight, look.
"I ain't got no injuries" - then why the sunglasses?
"I didn't go out; I didn't party or anything." Then why make mention of it?
The only reason to do so - because he didn't look or fight, as if he was in "great shape" and coming off of a "great camp".
I love "The Bug".
It's the right time to do this match
I agree that Gomi/Penn 2 would be the way to go. Gomi is coming off an impressive K.O. over a fighter that has never been stopped, and BJ is on 2 fight losing streak, but still one of the world's best. I question what the hell is going on with Penn though, and if his heart is still in it. I was at 118, and he didn't seem right at the fight, and he still seems out of it. Lose the sunglasses, sit up straight, and talk into the camera, so we think you actually are sincere in what you are saying. He's lying back, rocking back and forth like he just smoked a fatty or something. Snap out of it dude.
I hope BJ stays at LW comes back ASAP and eventually reclaims his title.
I just cant wrap my head around some1 other than BJ being champ
I think it's possible that Gomi can beat Frankie but not likely.
Gomi in the ufc means kick ass fights, now hes been exposed to america fan base ppl will see what this wrecking machine can do. Very excited and looking forward to his next fight.
BJ vs. Diaz!!!!! word