On Wednesday, March 31, “UFC Fight Night 21” will take place at the Bojangles Coliseum in Charlotte, N.C. Highlighting the card, which will air live on Spike TV, will be the UFC debut of Japanese MMA legend Takanori Gomi (31-5), as he takes on one of the top lightweight fighters of our time, Kenny Florian (12-4).
Florian and Gomi, with the help of a translator, joined the media on Monday for a conference call to discuss their upcoming bout. ProMMAnow.com was on the call and recorded it for your listening pleasure. Here is the audio as well as a few notes:
“Fight Night 21: Florian vs. Gomi” audio
[podcast]https://prommanow.com/audio/ufn21call.mp3[/podcast]
TAKANORI GOMI
He will come to the U.S. on March 26, but he is still in Japan.
Because this is his first time in the Octagon with new rules, he is a little concerned about new stuff but he is fine.
With more than 30 fights, he is still looking for new challenges, that is the main reason for coming to the UFC.
Gomi said the Japanese would be excited for UFC to come to Japan, and he would hope to fight on the card.
He says Kenny’s punches and kicks are strong and he is studying him.
The fighting environment is different in Japan than U.S.
Gomi said he likes how professional athletes are looked up to in America; that is what he likes best about the U.S.
KENNY FLORIAN
Florian said he is only focused on this fight for now and is not looking ahead and not thinking about if this fight will get him closer to a title shot.
“Gomi is very very fast and has knockout power in both his hands… I’m prepared to go all 15 minutes standing if need be.”
“I’m a big fan of Pride, and he’s been at the top of the food chain for a long time… but I never thought it would happen.”
If time allowed he would love to do WEC commentary full time.
Florian said he likes how everyone in the U.S. has the opportunity to be successful. That is what he likes best about the U.S.
When asked what his favorite Gomi fight was, he said his bouts against the Chute Boxe fighters.
haahh! it seems that Conference Calling have also got its impact on fighters too. are they Wrestlers or boxers?