God, Gomi just looked like a sub-standard fighter, lacking all mental, technical, and, outside of power, physical ability. He looked better physically than in recent fights, but that was misleading; he was out of gas, or at least breathing hard, after a round of very slow paced boxing. He also appears to be just as poor off his back against solid grapplers as he ever was.
yep, it even a surprise for me. The legend isnt there no more. He is well past his prime. Florian put a clinic, and finished another fighter. Great finishing skills.
It isn't about being "past his prime". It is about not being jacked up on every drug imaginable while fighting in Pride. You guys haven't noticed the trend?
No. It's the evolution of MMA. Gomi is the same fighter he was in 2004. He hasn't evolved and adapted to 2010. He's one of many.
Yes an no. The problem is Gomi lost interest in MMA since his days in PRIDE. He wasnt training properly and to be fair some of his opposition were sub standard. Because of this the "kid" just turned up did as little as possible in camp and was busy living the high life. He was a superstar in Japan. Since his loss to Diaz (and im calling it a loss) he took a brief sabbatical and i assumed he was done with MMA. But it looks like he's back maybe because he has bills to pay. He looked pathetic when he fought Diaz. He was gassed by the end of the first round and his performance smacked of the usual arrogance and disdain he held for what he thought was a substandard opponent. Either way Gomi wont be in the UFC for long. This was a baptism of fire alright but theres no way Gomi has the minerals to hang with the best lightweights in the UFC. Gomi's career has been finished since PRIDE33.
Also, just might be something about him moving to the states to, "become a surfer, oh and do some mma too." He's not focused on mma.
He was getting his surfs up in Japan. Doesnt his dojo do well to? Anyway it matters not Gomi's not interested in MMA and thats been evident for years.
Anyone who thought Gomi was going to make an impact in the UFC obviously hasnt been watching any MMA outside the US. Gomi has been finished for a while and his performance wasnt a surprise at all. His another one that needs to call it a day.
Never mind... you must be right. All of the Pride fighters were just amazing and tremendous in Pride and then 75% of them all just happened to get washed up immediately when they began fighting outside of Pride, regardless of their age or recent performances directly beforehand.
You have to take into consideration that most of those top flight PRIDE guys fought a lot of tough fights before they ever got to the UFC - where most of the top guys are coming into, are in or are just past their prime. It's as much about bad timing as anything.