“Bang” is such a cool last name….fighters have been introduced, with Gomi getting a nice reaction and we’re set to go.

ROUND ONE:

This is basically booked to be a showcase match for Gomi–Bang is a solid young fighter, but this is only his 7th pro fight in against a guy who’s considered to be one of the PFP best in the world. Gomi with a low kick, and he’s sticking out his jab more as a rangefinder than an actual punch. Bang responds with a low kick of his own which gets a nice response from the crowd. Very tentative start–Gomi may have some ‘ring rust’ but just as that was typed gets off a nice three punch combination. Gomi’s hands are down by his waist, indicating that he’s not particularly concerned about Bang’s punching power. Slow, tactical round so far with both fighters looking for openings. Gomi’s combination was the most significant action thus far. Understandable that Bang wouldn’t want to rush in against Gomi as he misses a leg kick but Gomi looks pretty tentative. He partially connects with a one two though his punching looks less than precise. Both fighters miss big punches, then connect with matching bodyshots. Nice combo for Gomi partially slipped by Bang. 1:15 left in the first round and so far its Gomi’s round but not by much. Low kick for “The Fireball Kid” he’s moving and trying to shuffle now. Leg kick by Gomi partially connects, nice counterpunch by Bang. Both fighters hang straight right hands just short. Bang starting to press the action more, perhaps realizing that Gomi not the same fighter–at least so far tonight–that he’s seen in videos. Gomi’s round, but just barely. He’s lucky that’s not Nick Diaz on the other side of the ring from him tonight because his boxing skills look very sloppy…

ROUND TWO:

This is only Gomi’s 2nd fight since his classic with Diaz–he beat Duane Ludwig in March at Sengoku 1 when Ludwig couldn’t continue after a cut. In other words, this is only his 2nd fight in a year and a half. Gomi with a straight right–he’s landing more now but he’s in against an opponent that can’t really exploit his sloppiness. Bang letting his hands go to and tags Gomi. Bang goes for the clinch and lands a knee to the body. In addition to Diaz–who won that classic fight with a gogoplata only to have to turned into a “no contest” after failing a drug test–Gomi has lost only to the cream of the crop. Two of his losses are to men who can claim to be the best in the world at the weight, UFC champ BJ Penn (3rd round submission on a “Rumble at the Rock event). Gomi pops Bang with a knee and follows up with some punches but Bang closes guard. Gomi goes for a choke and Bang bails out. Round ends without much action, Gomi’s round though he looks far from sharp. Anyway, in addition to Penn the only other men to have beaten Gomi are Marcus Aurillio and DREAM lightweight GP king Joachim Hansen…

ROUND THREE:

Gomi has a lot of goodwill in Japan, but he’d clearly like to end this fight decisively. Gomi’s boxing stance is better now and Bang seems to be tiring. Low kick by Gomi. Neither fighter appears anxious to press the pace. Bang lands a nice combination. Bang goes for the clinch but Gomi defends. At this point it looks like Gomi just wants to coast to a decision. Low kick by Gomi. Big punch by Bang partially connects. 3 minutes left in the fight, Bang realistically needs a stoppage. Nice combination by Bang. Bang swinging for the fences now, Gomi not defending particularly well. Diaz’s boxing skills would be carving him up right now. 2 minutes left in the fight as Gomi comes forward, but Bang countering nicely. Cut over Bang’s left eye. 1:46 left, Gomi not doing much but Bang not doing enough to beat a superstar. Both fighters look tired now with under a minute left. Were this a 10 point myst system fight Bang may have stolen this round but unless something insane happens in the final 20 seconds Gomi will sweep all three scorecards. 10 seconds left, Gomi fakes a flying knee as the fight ends. It’ll be a Gomi unanimous decision but far from a spectacular showing…

TAKANORI GOMI WINS BY UNANIMOUS DECISION

Gomi did what he needed to do, but just a workmanlike performance…