The essential Japanese MMA blog Nightmare of Battle is reporting that Strikeforce may have the inside track toward signing Takanori Gomi. Affliction’s Tom Atencio indicated in a postfight interview after ‘Ultimate Chaos’ that his organization was close to signing Gomi, but that may not be the case:

From Gomi’s latest interview in MMA magazine Kamipro it seems that he is currently in negotiations with Strikeforce, Affliction, and UFC. However, since he showed intentions to participate at Vale Tudo Japan 2009 in November, it looks like an exclusive contract with UFC won’t work.

Strikeforce have presented Gomi the right to challenge the winner of Thomson vs. Melendez, but negotiations are quite rough going.

The reason that the negotiations with Strikeforce and Affliction are quite rough going right now is because of the fight money. It seems like there is a gap between the money that Gomi’s side wants and what the organizations are offering.

Dana White and Gomi’s side were having developments the year before last also, but they couldn’t get to an agreement because of money either.

It seems that Strikeforce’s offer with a win bonus, a title challenge, Showtime (tv, sponsors, etc.) is the best. However, because of the base pay they haven’t come to an agreement yet. If Gomi signs with Strikeforce, he will probably have his first fight on their August 15th or September events.

A Gomi signing by Strikeforce could also set up a rematch of his epic battle against Nick Diaz from PRIDE 33: Second Coming.

Gomi contract news @ Nightmare of Battle