UFC on Fuel TV 6 Preview

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Lightweights

Takanori Gomi (33-8, 1 NC, 2-3 UFC) vs. Mac Danzig (21-9-1, 5-5 UFC)

The Matchup: Gomi came back from the brink of defeat against Eiji Mitsuoka at UFC 144 to score a second-round TKO of his former Pride Fighting Championships counterpart. While it was a feel-good moment, especially since it came in Gomi’s homeland, evidence of his ongoing decline was plentiful in the opening round.

Once renowned for his numbing knockout power, “The Fireball Kid” was reluctant to pull the trigger -- a recurring theme of late -- and often came up short on his punches. He telegraphed many of his strikes, and he ate his share of shots in the pocket as he moved forward to engage with Mitsuoka. It is no secret that Gomi likes to crouch low and throw power punches from his southpaw stance, but the likelihood of a reprise of the Tyson Griffin KO becomes less and less likely as the Japanese star’s one-shot finishing ability fades.

Danzig, who utilized clinch work, boxing and solid takedown defense to capture a unanimous decision against Efrain Escudero at UFC 145, has the type of skill set that can give Gomi problems. “The Ultimate Fighter” Season 6 alumnus likes to fire off crisp, multi punch combinations in the pocket or uppercuts in the clinch. Good footwork and head movement will allow the Californian to rack up points on the feet while keeping his opponent guessing. Danzig has struggled against smothering wrestlers in the past, but the days of Gomi utilizing top control and wicked ground-and-pound appear to be long gone. If anyone has the edge on the mat it is Danzig, whose solid jiu-jitsu might be able to exploit Gomi’s suspect submission defense.

The Pick: With Gomi, the possibility still remains that he could catch Danzig during one of their exchanges in the pocket. A more likely outcome sees the American mixing his strikes to the body and head and backing his foe up with clinch work before eventually earning the submission in round three.

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