MMA Fighter Bios: TAKANORI GOMI

TAKANORI GOMI

BORN: Kanagawa, Japan
5’8, lightweight

Takanori Gomi is fast, technical and when he gets on fire, he’s very hard to stop. finds ways to win.
Making his MMA debut in late ’98, Gomi defeatd Hiroshi Tsuruya. It was definitely no fluke as Gomi went on to win his next 13 matches and become the Shooto world welterweight champ in 2001 when he defeated Ruina Sato. . He defended his crown against Dokonjonosuke Mishima. Gomi was considered one of the most brightest stars at lightweight and the MMA world was shocked when Joachim Hansen, who was only 8 fights deep into MMA at the time with a 6-1-1 record, came in and won a decision over Gomi.
It was Gomi’s first defeat, but his next challenge would be an even tougher one as Gomi headed west to take on Hawaiin legend BJ Penn, in what pitted two of the top lightweights in the game. Penn was able to outshine Gomi in the bout in his home—Honololu, Hawaii.
Although suffering back to back losses, Gomi’s career was actually about to take a major boost as he entered into the Pride Fighting Championships. Getting right back into fine form, in under 2 years Gomi would defeat10 fighters in Pride’s Bushido division. Jens Pulver, Tatsuya Kawajiri, Luiz Azeredo and Hayato Sakurai all fell to the lightweight Gomi who had become a Japanese giant. His victory over Sakurai earned him the Pride Lightweight Championship.
Gomi would be defeated by Marcus Aurelio in a non-title bout, come back to win against David Baron and avenge his defeat to Aurelio and defend the Pride Lightweight Championship. In a non-title bout, Gomi took out Mitsuhiro Ishida via strikes just over a minute into the contest at Pride Shockwave 2006. His speed, striking and ability to find creative ways to subdue and attack opponents left many helpless against the Japanese sensation.
Gomi has gone 3-2 since the Pride organization was engulfed by the UFC parent company Zuffa, but still finds himself to be a dangerous fighter who can end a fight in explosive fashion when he turns it up a notch. Gomi is one of Japan’s favorite sons and continues to be fan favorite worldwide.

MMA HIGHLIGHTS
Pride World lightweight champion
Pride 2005 Lightweight Grand Prix Champion
Shooto Welterweight Champion
STREAKING
Gomi has had some impressive win streaks:
-14 fight undefeated streak to kick off his career
-10 fight win streak to kick of his career in Pride FC