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Takanori Gomi will soon have something in common with Josh Neer, Koji Oishi and Joe Hurley.
Ultimate Fighting Championship officials Tuesday announced that Gomi (Pictured; file photo) will face Nate Diaz in a lightweight contest at UFC 135 on Sept. 24, placing the Japanese star on the list of those who have squared off against both fighting Diaz brothers of Stockton, Calif.
Gomi met older brother Nick Diaz at a February 2007 Pride Fighting Championships event in Las Vegas and was submitted with a stunning second-round gogoplata. Two months later, the result was changed to a no-decision by the Nevada State Athletic Commission when Diaz’s post-fight drug screen showed elevated levels of Delta-9-THC, the active ingredient in marijuana.
Since joining the UFC in March 2010, Gomi has posted a 1-2 record, with a 64-second knockout of Tyson Griffin sandwiched between submission losses to Kenny Florian and Clay Guida. Once considered MMA’s top lightweight, the 32-year-old “Fireball Kid” has emerged victorious from 32 of his 40 starts and has never been stopped on strikes.
The younger Diaz, 26, returns to the 155-pound ranks following back-to-back decision losses to Dong Hyun Kim and Rory MacDonald at welterweight. The Cesar Gracie pupil has enjoyed a four-year Octagon run since winning the fifth season of “The Ultimate Fighter,” compiling an 8-5 record while earning four “Fight of the Night” and two “Submission of the Night” bonuses.
UFC 135 will emanate from Pepsi Center in Denver and is expected to be headlined by UFC light heavyweight champion Jon Jones’ inaugural title defense against ex-champ Quinton “Rampage” Jackson.
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