This content is protected Tuesday, January 06, 2009 by Tony Loiseleur ( This content is protected ) 15687 TOKYO -- It may be a year before the mixed martial arts world sees Takanori Gomi compete again. Once regarded as the worlds top lightweight, consecutive losses -- the latest by submission to Sengoku champion Satoru Kitaoka on Sunday -- have The Fireball Kid recalibrating his instruments. I would like to return to training the basics, maybe take half a year or a year off and rebuild myself physically, Gomi said. Then, Id like to take on some foreign fighters and, of course, Kitaoka. I started my own gym two years ago, and Im happy that my students are getting stronger, but its not exactly top-class training with them. Id like to get back to that top training. Kitaoka (24-8-9) was outspoken about his dislike for Gomi during the run-up to their fight at Sengoku No Ran 2009 at the Saitama Super Arena in Saitama, Japan. He submitted the former Pride Fighting Championships lightweight titleholder with an Achilles lock in the first round. Kitaoka challenged Gomi (29-5, 1 NC) to a rematch afterwards. This is hardly surprising news. He should have done this a while ago. :-(
He looks fat in that picture.... I wouldn't be surprised if he didn't come back after the sabbatical, he doesn't seem to care anymore.
Exactly. Like iv been saying for some time Gomi`s body language is such that this hasn't been difficult to figure out. The "kid" isn't interested anymore and mentally he`s not into his trade. From that aspect alone he`s better off calling it time or taking a sabbatical if he does want to come back.
Exactly what he needs. If he does comeback I hope he sticks to his word about getting "Back to that top training".
