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According to UFC.com, verbal agreements are in place for Takanori Gomi to square off against Nate Diaz at UFC 135, as Diaz will be making his return to the lightweight division after a four fight stint at 170lbs.
"Verbal agreements are in for an explosive lightweight matchup, as the “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi takes on Nate Diaz at UFC 135," said UFC President Dana White. "Gomi had an amazing battle with Nick Diaz in PRIDE and is looking for some payback against his brother.”
For newer MMA fans who may not have seen his brother Nick's fight against Gomi at Pride 33 in 2007, the fight was a toe to toe battle that ended with a spectacular gogoplata finish as Diaz was able to submit Gomi early in the second round. The victory was short lived though, as the decision was overturned by the NSAC to "no contest" when Diaz failed his pre fight drug screen for marijuana.
Nate Diaz last fought at UFC 129, where he lost a unanimous decision to rising welterweight star, Rory McDonald. The decision loss was the second straight for Diaz, who without a doubt will be looking to make a statement when he faces the former Pride lightweight champion this fall.
Takanori Gomi is coming off a submission loss to Clay Guida at UFC 125 this past January, after scoring his first UFC victory this past August when he knocked out Tyson Griffin in stunning fashion. With a 1-2 octagon record, Gomi needs a win to get himself back on track in the ultra talented UFC lightweight division.
UFC 135 is expected to take place September 24th from Denver, Colorado and is headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Quinton Jackson.
"Verbal agreements are in for an explosive lightweight matchup, as the “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi takes on Nate Diaz at UFC 135," said UFC President Dana White. "Gomi had an amazing battle with Nick Diaz in PRIDE and is looking for some payback against his brother.”
For newer MMA fans who may not have seen his brother Nick's fight against Gomi at Pride 33 in 2007, the fight was a toe to toe battle that ended with a spectacular gogoplata finish as Diaz was able to submit Gomi early in the second round. The victory was short lived though, as the decision was overturned by the NSAC to "no contest" when Diaz failed his pre fight drug screen for marijuana.
Nate Diaz last fought at UFC 129, where he lost a unanimous decision to rising welterweight star, Rory McDonald. The decision loss was the second straight for Diaz, who without a doubt will be looking to make a statement when he faces the former Pride lightweight champion this fall.
Takanori Gomi is coming off a submission loss to Clay Guida at UFC 125 this past January, after scoring his first UFC victory this past August when he knocked out Tyson Griffin in stunning fashion. With a 1-2 octagon record, Gomi needs a win to get himself back on track in the ultra talented UFC lightweight division.
UFC 135 is expected to take place September 24th from Denver, Colorado and is headlined by a light heavyweight title fight between Jon Jones and Quinton Jackson.
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