EliteXC Executive: Takanori Gomi vs. Nick Diaz II Possible Posted by MMA Junkie on November 28, 2007 at 7:51 pm ET This content is protected EliteXC executive Turi Altavilla, the former vice president of production and marketing for PRIDE USA, says that a rematch between Takanori Gomi and Nick Diaz who fought to an entertaining but eventual controversial no-contest at PRIDE 32 could rematch sometime soon under the EliteXC banner. In fact, its a fight EliteXC executives have already discussed internally. The news come from a CBSSports.com interview with Altavilla conducted by our friend Sam Caplan. Back in February, PRIDE hosted what was only its second show on U.S. soil. Executives wanted to match Gomi, their prized lightweight champion, with an American fighter who had widespread appeal. They ultimately chose former UFC fighter and Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Diaz for the non-title bout. In one of the years most memorable fights, Diaz bounced back from a series of blows and an early knockdown to score a rare gogoplata submission victory in the second round. However, after Diaz failed a drug test due to marijuana, the Nevada State Athletic Commission stripped Diaz of the win and ruled the fight a no-contest. According to Altavilla, who went to work for EliteXC after Zuffa LLC purchased PRIDE and subsequently fired all its employees, says the organization is interested in hosting the rematch. I think anything is possible, for sure, Altavilla told CBSSports.com. Weve talked about it on the EliteXC side. I think its something that Gomi would want. I dont think hed want to continue his career without having the opportunity to do it (avenge the loss to Diaz). Were very open to doing it, and I think I should leave it at that. Altavilla, along with former PRIDE executive Jerry Millen, helped put the fight together in the first place. As far as the rematch, Diaz is currently signed to a long-term deal with EliteXC. However, securing Gomis services could be a challenge. After the disbanding of PRIDE, Gomi said hed prefer to stay and fight in Japan. * * * * In addition to the news above, Altavilla talks in depth about PRIDEs demise and the factors he thinks played a part in it. Primarily, he says that the organization wasnt prepared to capitalize on the U.S. market when things in Japan were heading south
