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ZuffaKiller- Posts : 4178
Join date : 2011-11-19
TAKANORI GOMI: THE FIREBALL KID HAS A UFC “HOME GAME”
Mon Nov 05, 2012 2:04 am
UFC FUEL TV 6, the promotion’s first venture into China via Macao – “The Las Vegas of Asia” – on November 10th, Japanese MMA superstar Takanori Gomi makes his sixth appearance inside the Octagon against Mac Danzig. “The Fireball Kid” knew a life of fighting was for him early on, boxing in high school and then winning four All Japan Wrestling Championships. His MMA start in the Shooto organization came at the ripe age of 20, and for the first six years of his career he never saw any opponent’s hand raised against him.
The former Shooto Welterweight Champion and undisputed Pride Lightweight Champion has had a meteoric career. From Gomi’s humble beginnings in Shooto, through the glory of Pride days, then into the fiery phoenix of Sengoku, he eventually migrated to the current heavyweight MMA promotion, the UFC. And as they are set to conquer Asian territory, Gomi will benefit from it greatly by fighting again in his own time zone.
Enter Gomi’s newest opponent, Mac Danzig. While both fighters come from boxing and wrestling pedigrees, that’s where any similarity ends. Danzig is a staunch vegan, and Gomi is a self-avowed “Rascal”. MMA-in-ASIA asked Gomi’s manager Fumihiko Ishii of INFY for an interview just a week before the fight, and like a boss, Gomi stopped thinking about knocking out tree huggers and took the time to knock out our questions.
How do you feel about being on the UFC’s first card in China?
I’m very glad there is another competition in Asia following the UFC Japan show. I feel that fighting in Macau is like a home game.
How do you feel about the UFC’s expansion in Asia? Do you think this will grow or revive MMA in Asia?
Of course. It’s very meaningful that the UFC holds an event in Asia, because the UFC is a big target for Asian fighters, such as Korean fighters as their level has been so improved. So the fact that the big target is coming to the place to close to those fighters is very meaningful.
Have you studied Mac Danzig and formed a game plan? Do you see areas in his game that you can exploit?
I’m going to prepare a game plan by before the fight.
Have you ever been to Macau, or China before? Would you like to have some local food after your fight?
It’s my first time to go to Macau. I want to have nice Chinese dishes with my teammates and my fans who will come to Macau to support me after the fight.
Who are your training partners for this fight?
Gym mates and I do cross training with some fighters in other gyms too.
Do you like Bruce Lee?
When I was a kid, I was so into his movies, I have many memories.
Do you still follow Shooto?
Yes. Fighters at my gym aim at making their pro-debut in Shooto.
Where do you think the next batch of Japanese fighters will come from (what organization)?
I believe the top fighters at each organization can do well in the UFC.
How do you stay healthy and centered in order to have such a long and terrific career?
Train hard and play hard or rest well. Make sure to have a good balance between when you train and when you don’t train.
What are the differences between training in Japan and training in the US?
The size of gyms and sparring partners’ level and numbers.
Who are some fighters you respect right now?
Manny Pacquiao and Toshiaki Nishioka, the 25th WBC super bantamweight champ who recently fought Nonito Donaire.
What is your feeling about fighting in the cage? Do you have a preference? What was the transition like in your first UFC?
In a cage, there’s less deadlock and referee breaking than in a ring. So you need to fight with your footwork to escape from a lot more trouble.
You are not only an MMA idol, but many Asia fighters look up to you for your work in the UFC. Do you have some advice for them in how to achieve the dream of being at the highest competitive level of MMA?
Fighters at any rank and top fighters, their level difference is razor-thin. So concentrate on your training and fight with your best during every single one of your fights.
I know you watch a lot of movies to keep occupied during weight cutting. What have you seen recently that was good?
During my training, for distraction I watched Outrage Beyond, directed by Kitano Takeshi, and Intouchables, a French movie.
Can I buy you a beer after the fight?
Of course! I expect it.
http://mma-in-asia.com/region/japan/gomi-takenori/
The former Shooto Welterweight Champion and undisputed Pride Lightweight Champion has had a meteoric career. From Gomi’s humble beginnings in Shooto, through the glory of Pride days, then into the fiery phoenix of Sengoku, he eventually migrated to the current heavyweight MMA promotion, the UFC. And as they are set to conquer Asian territory, Gomi will benefit from it greatly by fighting again in his own time zone.
Enter Gomi’s newest opponent, Mac Danzig. While both fighters come from boxing and wrestling pedigrees, that’s where any similarity ends. Danzig is a staunch vegan, and Gomi is a self-avowed “Rascal”. MMA-in-ASIA asked Gomi’s manager Fumihiko Ishii of INFY for an interview just a week before the fight, and like a boss, Gomi stopped thinking about knocking out tree huggers and took the time to knock out our questions.
How do you feel about being on the UFC’s first card in China?
I’m very glad there is another competition in Asia following the UFC Japan show. I feel that fighting in Macau is like a home game.
How do you feel about the UFC’s expansion in Asia? Do you think this will grow or revive MMA in Asia?
Of course. It’s very meaningful that the UFC holds an event in Asia, because the UFC is a big target for Asian fighters, such as Korean fighters as their level has been so improved. So the fact that the big target is coming to the place to close to those fighters is very meaningful.
Have you studied Mac Danzig and formed a game plan? Do you see areas in his game that you can exploit?
I’m going to prepare a game plan by before the fight.
Have you ever been to Macau, or China before? Would you like to have some local food after your fight?
It’s my first time to go to Macau. I want to have nice Chinese dishes with my teammates and my fans who will come to Macau to support me after the fight.
Who are your training partners for this fight?
Gym mates and I do cross training with some fighters in other gyms too.
Do you like Bruce Lee?
When I was a kid, I was so into his movies, I have many memories.
Do you still follow Shooto?
Yes. Fighters at my gym aim at making their pro-debut in Shooto.
Where do you think the next batch of Japanese fighters will come from (what organization)?
I believe the top fighters at each organization can do well in the UFC.
How do you stay healthy and centered in order to have such a long and terrific career?
Train hard and play hard or rest well. Make sure to have a good balance between when you train and when you don’t train.
What are the differences between training in Japan and training in the US?
The size of gyms and sparring partners’ level and numbers.
Who are some fighters you respect right now?
Manny Pacquiao and Toshiaki Nishioka, the 25th WBC super bantamweight champ who recently fought Nonito Donaire.
What is your feeling about fighting in the cage? Do you have a preference? What was the transition like in your first UFC?
In a cage, there’s less deadlock and referee breaking than in a ring. So you need to fight with your footwork to escape from a lot more trouble.
You are not only an MMA idol, but many Asia fighters look up to you for your work in the UFC. Do you have some advice for them in how to achieve the dream of being at the highest competitive level of MMA?
Fighters at any rank and top fighters, their level difference is razor-thin. So concentrate on your training and fight with your best during every single one of your fights.
I know you watch a lot of movies to keep occupied during weight cutting. What have you seen recently that was good?
During my training, for distraction I watched Outrage Beyond, directed by Kitano Takeshi, and Intouchables, a French movie.
Can I buy you a beer after the fight?
Of course! I expect it.
http://mma-in-asia.com/region/japan/gomi-takenori/
stu3ufc- Posts : 5136
Join date : 2011-11-12
Re: TAKANORI GOMI: THE FIREBALL KID HAS A UFC “HOME GAME”
Mon Nov 05, 2012 10:27 am
over rated
PRIDE NEVER DIE- Location : North Mexico
Posts : 2516
Join date : 2012-02-18
Re: TAKANORI GOMI: THE FIREBALL KID HAS A UFC “HOME GAME”
Mon Nov 05, 2012 11:41 am
If your talking about Gomi then Id have to disagree, I never read anything about people hyping him these days. Imo Gomis time has passed years ago, he was great once like many fighters but time gets everyone.stu3ufc wrote:over rated
- retrocausality
- Location : united states
Posts : 398
Join date : 2012-10-23
Re: TAKANORI GOMI: THE FIREBALL KID HAS A UFC “HOME GAME”
Mon Nov 05, 2012 4:36 pm
stu3ufc wrote:over rated
He is a pretty good size under dog against Mac Danzig. Who isn't a world beater. So it looks like no one is "overrating" him.
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