Update On Gomi Coming to America, Should Be Fighting In August or September

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 4:53 PM EDT Comment 14 comments

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It looks like Gomi could be coming to America to join a promotion by August of this year. Talks seem to be real close to finalizing a deal with either Strikeforce and/or Affliction.

From NightmareOfBattle:

From Gomi’s latest interview in MMA magazine Kamipro it seems that he is currently in negotiations with Strikeforce, Affliction, and UFC. However, since he showed intentions to participate at Vale Tudo Japan 2009 in November, it looks like an exclusive contract with UFC won’t work.

Strikeforce have presented Gomi the right to challenge the winner of Thomson vs. Melendez, but negotiations are quite rough going.

The reason that the negotiations with Strikeforce and Affliction are quite rough going right now is because of the fight money. It seems like there is a gap between the money that Gomi’s side wants and what the organizations are offering.

Dana White and Gomi’s side were having developments the year before last also, but they couldn’t get to an agreement because of money either.

It seems that Strikeforce’s offer with a win bonus, a title challenge, Showtime (tv, sponsors, etc.) is the best. However, because of the base pay they haven’t come to an agreement yet. If Gomi signs with Strikeforce, he will probably have his first fight on their August 15th or September events.

We also recently heard some optimism from Atencio that Gomi would participate in Affliction Trilogy, via MMAWeekly:

MMAWeekly: Any word about Gomi? Any progress with him coming to Affliction?

Atencio: Yeah, we’re still working on it, we’re finalizing everything, but it looks like it’s gonna go through. I’m not 100-percent yet, but we’re still working on it for sure.

I reported in my fighter update fanpost last week that Affliction and/or Strikeforce made the most sense for Gomi since he wants to compete in the Vale Tudo Japan event this year.

Enjoy!

The FanPosts are solely the subjective opinions of Bloody Elbow readers and do not necessarily reflect the views of Bloody Elbow editors or staff.

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Comments

Gomi..

is irrelevant

by SouthAlaBamaRampage on Jun 29, 2009 5:16 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Apparently not, since is is becoming a big deal.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 5:34 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I think he’s a pretty exciting fighter most of the time. I don’t care where he fights but I’d rather have it be against quality opponents.

by Ahhhoki on Jun 29, 2009 5:38 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Kind of depends on who you ask, man.

by subo on Jun 29, 2009 5:42 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

I don’t know, all those people were sure talking alot about him when they were speculating he was coming to fight in the UFC. =)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Not so much since nobody appears willing to pay him what he wants.

by Lynchman on Jun 29, 2009 5:52 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Look who he is negotiating with. He will be fighting on August in America.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 5:53 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Gomi has name value, but there is still the very real question has to whether or not he is still relevant today.

Affliction would be his easiest road since they have no real LWs to speak of. The UFC and Strikeforce have contracts with pretty much everyone.

Any fight in Affliction is going to be easier than ones in either of those companies.

My guess is he signs a one fight deal with Affliction. His opponent will be easier and it would give him a chance to raise his value with an impressive win.

by Lynchman on Jun 29, 2009 6:17 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Yup, unless he really sees himself fighting in Strikeforce for a while, since their offer is more of a long term one, fighting for titles and on national tv.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 6:30 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

He is not a name here in the states

He can’t ask for Japan money here. If he wants to cross over than he’s going to have to take an initial pay cut.

by bignerd on Jun 29, 2009 6:06 PM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup, pretty much everyone agrees to that, but I am not sure if he does.
=)

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 29, 2009 6:10 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Fedor could do it because he carried in a top rank. Gomi, doesn’t have that luxury. Right now he is just another fighter to an American audience.

by bignerd on Jun 29, 2009 6:15 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs

Hopefully Gomi has his head on straight again. It would be nice if he could find new life over here in the states.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Jun 30, 2009 1:15 AM EDT reply actions 0 recs

Yup, although, he will have a lot of pressure. He has to win his first fight, or else, he will be forced to fight in DEEP and TTJ shows for a while. Sengoku is probably less willing to pay him all that money now since they signed Ishii, and are getting Gono and most likely Shark back.

by MMASuPreMaCy on Jun 30, 2009 1:48 PM EDT up reply actions 0 recs