Is Takanori Gomi's job on the line against Nate Diaz?

http://www.mmamania.com/2011/9/22/2442147/ufc-135-takanori-gomis-job-may-be-on-the-line-when-he-takes-on-nate



Tough crowd.

That's what Ultimate Fighting Championship's (UFC) lightweight division has become -- and in a big way. Possibly the organization's strongest division, the 155 pounders are a hungry pack of wolves, just waiting to pounce on any contender hoping to make the climb to a title shot.

At the UFC 135: "Jones vs. Rampage" pay-per-view event on Saturday night (Sept. 24) in Las Vegas, Japanese fighter Takanori Gomi will stare across the cage at Stockton native Nate Diaz, who will be making his return the lightweight division.

They both need a win. Diaz will be looking to avoid his third straight loss. Gomi has lost two of his last three fights and lost both of them badly.

Is "The Fireball Kid" at risk of facing the firing squad?

Gomi was signed to fight for the UFC in early 2010. He was widely heralded as one of the "next big things" to come out of Japan, from a mixed martial arts (MMA) perspective.

During that timeframe, he has been submitted by rear-naked choke, courtesy of Kenny Florian in the third round of their UFC Fight Night 25 bout on Mar. 31, 2010 in Charlotte. He was bullied and dominated. It was not a good showing.

Gomi was able to rebound with an impressive first round knockout of Tyson Griffin at UFC on Versus 2 on Aug. 1, 2010 in San Diego.

In his next fight, Gomi was, again, severely outmatched and unable to handle the takedowns of Clay Guida in their UFC 125 face-off on Jan. 1, 2011 in Las Vegas. Guida was able to submit Gomi by guillotine choke in the second round.

A loss always looks bad. But let's be real. When guys are out there putting on a show and bringing it, Dana White is much more likely to give them extra leeway. It's hard to make the argument that Gomi would fall in that category.

Sure, he knocked out Griffin, but that victory looks a little less impressive in light of Griffin's recent fight history.

Another loss, especially to an opponent who had previously lost two in a row, may be all Gomi needs to earn himself a pink slip.

Would it be merited? Is Gomi overrated or is he just a decent fighter stuck in a ridiculously talented division?

No. I could see him on the Japan card and his two losses were to KenFlo and Guida. If he loses to Nate, he should just have a drop down in competition

Hopefully he knocks him the fuck out though

Yeah I don't think he will get cut after he loses to Nate.

Depends if they are really going to Japan. If they aren't then his job is on the line imo.

I thought it was confirmed that they are in February.

Primetyme199 wrote:

Depends if they are really going to Japan. If they aren't then his job is on the line imo.

Probably, or they just ask him to take a nice pay cut. At that point he would probably be able to make much more money back in Japan.

freakzilla wrote:

I thought it was confirmed that they are in February.

They've confirmed shows before and they never happened. They were supposed to have a show in Sweden this past August that was confirmed but never materialized or was put off.

Primetyme199 wrote:

freakzilla wrote:

I thought it was confirmed that they are in February.

They've confirmed shows before and they never happened. They were supposed to have a show in Sweden this past August that was confirmed but never materialized or was put off.

Yeah you're right but I think after the success in Brazil they will go for sure.

No way Gomi gets cut if he loses to Nate imo. Like Bobbit said loses to Florian and Clay, then a loss to a guy that's last fight at 155 went to a close decision with Maynard? Yeah I think he's safe

MMAEYES wrote:

No way Gomi gets cut if he loses to Nate imo. Like Bobbit said loses to Florian and Clay, then a loss to a guy that's last fight at 155 went to a close decision with Maynard? Yeah I think he's safe

You mean that BS split dec where Nate beat on Maynard? Yeah, how easy people forget.

You know I'm hearing ya OU I sure as hell didn't forget

You mean one of the most boring LW fights I've seen in the last 2 years? Please God, let me forget

It was more entertaining then your average Sonnen fight.

OU wrote:

It was more entertaining then your average Sonnen fight.

False. It was honestly one of the worst fights I've seen in the last 5 years. Horrendous striking matches are the absolute worst

bobbitt15 wrote:

OU wrote:

It was more entertaining then your average Sonnen fight.

False. It was honestly one of the worst fights I've seen in the last 5 years. Horrendous striking matches are the absolute worst

It was a very one sided striking match, in favor of Diaz.

I think Clay vs Nate was WAY more boring thanks to mr hugs alot! Atleast Gray faught Nate

If they r planning a fight in Japan it would be smart to keep Gomi even if he loses to Nate.

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

If they r planning a fight in Japan it would be smart to keep Gomi even if he loses to Nate.

Why? Is he big there?

OU wrote:

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

If they r planning a fight in Japan it would be smart to keep Gomi even if he loses to Nate.

Why? Is he big there?

They love all their own fighters.

OU wrote:

Primetyme199 wrote:

OU wrote:

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

If they r planning a fight in Japan it would be smart to keep Gomi even if he loses to Nate.

Why? Is he big there?

They love all their own fighters.

Lol, Next time instead of Times New Roman you should use sarcastica

lol u ass hole... but for realz tho, he's not getting cut

freakzilla wrote:

OU wrote:

Primetyme199 wrote:

OU wrote:

bigbeastcardinal12 wrote:

If they r planning a fight in Japan it would be smart to keep Gomi even if he loses to Nate.

Why? Is he big there?

They love all their own fighters.

Lol, Next time instead of Times New Roman you should use sarcastica

haha, nice one

Unless of course your caught smoking pot, then your disowned.

Primetyme199 wrote:

Unless of course your caught smoking pot, then your disowned.

Well that is the magical drug that gave Nick Diaz the strength to beat Gomi.