Tag: Takanori Gomi

Combat Rewind, May 23: Recognize who this famous MMA referee is?

Check out the best highlights from this day in history with MMA Junkie’s “Combat Rewind.”

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • PRIDE – Bushido 3: [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ralph Gracie[/autotag] – May 23, 2004
  • K-1 World Grand Prix 2009: [autotag]Yana Kunitskaya[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Magdalena Jarecka[/autotag] – May 23, 2009
  • Cage Rage 6: [autotag]Andy Costello[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Marc Goddard[/autotag] – May 23, 2004
  • King of the Cage – Future Legends 29: [autotag]Brian McCammon[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Jesse Hernandez[/autotag] – May 23, 2015
  • PRIDE – Bushido 3: [autotag]Akira Shoji[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Yukio Kawabe[/autotag] – May 23, 2004

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.

Combat Rewind – May 23

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives.

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives.

Combat Rewind, May 22: PRIDE: Bushido 7 gives us pandemonium, foot stomps and more

PRIDE: Bushido 7 gave us some wild moments on this day in MMA history.

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Charles Bennett[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Yoshiro Maeda[/autotag] – May 22, 2005
  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Jens Pulver[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tomomi Iwama[/autotag] – May 22, 2005
  • TKO 16: [autotag]Patrick Cote[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Bill Mahood[/autotag] – May 22, 2004
  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Yves Edwards[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Dokonjonosuke Mishima[/autotag] – May 22, 2005
  • Shooto Japan – R.E.A.D. 5: [autotag]Alex Cook[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Isao Tanimura[/autotag] – May 22, 2000
  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Aaron Riley[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Michihiro Omigawa[/autotag] – May 22, 2005
  • TKO 16: [autotag]David Loiseau[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Chris Fontaine[/autotag] – May 22, 2004
  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Phil Baroni[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Ikuhisa Minowa[/autotag] – May 22, 2005
  • PRIDE – Bushido 7: [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Luiz Azeredo[/autotag] – May 22, 2005

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.

Free fight: Takanori Gomi stuns Melvin Guillard in wild slugfest at Rizin FF 11

Recap the action from Rizin FF 11 as “The Fireball Kid” brought the Saitama Super Arena crowd to its feet with a thrilling finish of Melvin Guillard.

Two explosive lightweights went toe to toe in Saitama at Rizin FF 11 as former UFC veteran [autotag]Melvin Guillard[/autotag] stepped into [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag]’s back yard and got knocked out after a wild back-and-forth battle.

Guillard started out in typically aggressive fashion with a solid leg kick, followed by a powerful two-punch combination that forced Gomi onto the back foot almost immediately.

Gomi responded by grabbing a single leg, but Guillard shrugged him off and wrestled him into the corner, where he proceeded to land more heavy punches and a solid knee. But with his back against the ropes and with no other option, Gomi fired back and stung Guillard with a thumping left hook that forced the American to back away.

The action then resumed in the center of the ring with the two fighters swinging for the fences and trading huge shots as the Saitama crowd cheered its approval.

Perhaps wary of each other’s power, the two fighters then spent a few moments looking to time each other and not over-commit to their shots. Guillard looked to connect with some kicks from distance, while Gomi stepped in and landed with a couple of winging left hooks. Then came the moment that defined the fight.

After connecting with a right jab, Gomi stepped back to his stance and appeared to roll his ankle, before stumbling briefly to the mat. Spotting his opening, Guillard stepped in and caught Gomi flush as he returned to the feet, but “The Fireball Kid” instantly responded with a right hook that seemed to hurt “The Young Assassin,” who stumbled backward against the ropes.

Gomi saw his moment, moved in and connected with a pair of left hands that sent Guillard to the canvas as he scored a dramatic stoppage victory, then treated the crowd to his version of Tito Ortiz’s iconic “grave digging” celebration.

Rewatch the wild one-round war at Rizin FF 11 via the video above.

Combat Rewind, April 11: Whoa, check out Matt Serra just before his UFC debut

Check out the best highlights from this day in history with MMA Junkie’s “Combat Rewind.”

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • King of the Cage – Onslaught: [autotag]Tracy Cortez[/autotag] vs. Roxanne Ceasear
  • ADCC World Championships: [autotag]Ricco Rodriguez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Yoshiaki Yatsu[/autotag]
  • ADCC World Championships: Ricco Rodriguez vs. [autotag]Roger Neff[/autotag]
  • Strikeforce – Shamrock vs. Diaz: [autotag]Scott Smith[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Benji Radach[/autotag]
  • ADCC World Championships: [autotag]Ricardo Liborio[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kiyoshi Tamura[/autotag]
  • Alaska Fighting Championship 91: [autotag]Andy Enz[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Tommie Matthews[/autotag]
  • Strikeforce – Shamrock vs. Diaz: [autotag]Gilbert Melendez[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Rodrigo Damm[/autotag]
  • ADCC World Championships: [autotag]Matt Serra[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag]
  • ADCC World Championships: Matt Serra vs. [autotag]Leonardo Santos[/autotag] 2001
  • Strikeforce – Shamrock vs. Diaz: [autotag]Nick Diaz[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Frank Shamrock[/autotag]

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.

Combat Rewind, April 2: Top highlights include a sickening Jens Pulver soccer kick

Check out the best highlights from this day in history with MMA Junkie’s “Combat Rewind.”

There’s “Flashback Friday” and “Throwback Thursday” (and Tuesday, too, if you want). But at MMA Junkie, we figured why not expand that to every day?

“Combat Rewind” brings you some of combat sports’ best highlights from every calendar day of the year. It’s a look back at history, courtesy of the UFC Fight Pass archives, featuring stellar finishes and classic moments in MMA and beyond on their anniversaries.

So kick back and relive the following bits of greatness in the video above:

  • PRIDE Bushido 10: [autotag]Jens Pulver[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Kenji Arai[/autotag] – April 2, 2006
  • TKO 20: [autotag]Mark Hominick[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Stephane Vigneault[/autotag] – April 2, 2005
  • PRIDE Bushido 10: [autotag]Joachim Hansen[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Luiz Azeredo[/autotag] – April 2, 2006
  • PRIDE Bushido 10: [autotag]Phil Baroni[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Yuki Kondo[/autotag] – April 2, 2006
  • PRIDE Bushido 10: [autotag]Marcus Aurelio[/autotag] vs. [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag] – April 2, 2006

Fight footage courtesy of UFC Fight Pass, the UFC’s official digital subscription service, which is currently offering a seven-day free trial. UFC Fight Pass gives fans access to exclusive live UFC events and fights, exclusive live MMA and combat sports events from around the world, exclusive original and behind the scenes content and unprecedented 24-7 access to the world’s biggest fight library.

Quintet Ultra: Team PRIDE looking forward to post-match drinks to ‘bring back PRIDE the right way’

Team captain Kazushi Sakuraba has his sights set on victory, celebration at Quintet Ultra.

LAS VEGAS – PRIDE never die.

Thursday night at Quintet Ultra, five of PRIDE’s most notable veterans will compete against teams representing the UFC, WEC, and Strikeforce.

The openweight elimination challenge takes place at Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

PRIDE’s team is comprised of UFC Hall of Famer and team captain [autotag]Kazushi Sakuraba[/autotag], lightweight champ [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag], esteemed Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt [autotag]Gregor Gracie[/autotag], former Bellator middleweight champ [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag] and lightweight [autotag]Yves Edwards[/autotag].

Wednesday, the five PRIDE alumni reunited for a media scrum with MMA Junkie. Team captain Sakuraba spoke on the growth of Quintet, his competing future, his PRIDE nostalgia and more.

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Roster orders are selected by each team behind closed doors and submitted simultaneously. Not knowing the orders of other quintets, each team will have to stick to its order if members of its team get eliminated.

In addition to the team competition, Quintet Ultra will feature singles matches. Gordon Ryan meets Aleksei Oleinik, while Cynthia Calvillo – who replaces a previously announced Pearl Gonzalez – takes on Danielle Kelly. A prelims single match between Craig Jones and Fredson Paixao also is set.

Check out MMA Junkie’s full pre-match scrum with Team PRIDE in the video above.

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Quintet Ultra lineups set, include Sean O’Malley vs. Takanori Gomi, Chad Mendes vs. ‘JZ’ Cavalcante

The lineups are set for Thursday’s Quintet Ultra team grappling event, and the opening matchups include a few intriguing contests.

The lineups are set for Thursday’s Quintet Ultra team grappling event, and the opening matchups include a few intriguing contests.

Weigh-ins for the event took place Wednesday at Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas, with each five-member team expected to weigh-in under 950 pounds combined. That didn’t prove an issue, with Team WEC registering 947.2 pounds, Team Strikeforce just behind at 946.6 pounds, Team UFC at 942.2 pounds and Team PRIDE the smallest at 936.6 pounds.

Featuring a unique 5-on-5 team grappling concept where the winning grappler of each match stays on the mat, Quintet Ultra takes place Thursday at the same venue and streams live on UFC Fight Pass.

In the opening round of the tournament, Team UFC takes on Team PRIDE, while Team WEC vs. Team Strikeforce.

Team UFC will send out fast-rising bantamweight prospect [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag] as their first representative, while Team PRIDE counters with former PRIDE lightweight champ [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag].

On the other side of the bracket, Team WEC is starting with three-time UFC title challenger [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag], while Team Strikeforce opens with two-time K-1 HERO’s middleweight grand prix champion and former Titan FC lightweight champ [autotag]Gesias Cavalcante[/autotag], the man best known as “JZ.”

In each match, the winning grappler stays on to take on the next representative from the opposing team. In case of a draw, both fighters are eliminated.

The two winning teams from the opening round matchups meet in the finals to close out the night.

Full team orders include:

TEAM UFC

1. Sean O’Malley
2. [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag]
3. [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]
4. [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] (captain)
5. [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]

vs.

TEAM PRIDE

1. Takanori Gomi
2. [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag]
3. [autotag]Gregor Gracie[/autotag]
4. [autotag]Yves Edwards[/autotag]
5. [autotag]Kazushi Sakuraba[/autotag] (captain)

TEAM WEC

1. Chad Mendes (captain)
2. [autotag]Mark Munoz[/autotag]
3. [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag]
4. [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag]
5. [autotag]James Krause[/autotag]

vs.

TEAM STRIKEFORCE

1. Gesias “JZ” Cavalcante
2. [autotag]Jake Shields[/autotag]
3. [autotag]Muhammed Lawal[/autotag]
4. [autotag]Gilbert Melendez[/autotag] (captain)
5. [autotag]Renato Sobral[/autotag]

Quintet Ultra: Full UFC, PRIDE, WEC, Strikeforce rosters revealed ahead of Thursday’s event

UFC vs. PRIDE vs. WEC vs. Strikeforce? The full rosters have been announced for Thursday’s event.

Who would have won a team battle between the UFC, PRIDE, WEC, and Strikeforce? Quintet is hopping in a time machine to take fans back to an era when this question could be answered.

On Thursday, one of the world’s most unique grappling tournaments will return with Quintet Ultra. The openweight elimination challenge takes place at Red Rock Casino Resort in Las Vegas and streams on UFC Fight Pass.

The event will see four teams compromised of five fighters – each team tied to a respective promotion. On Monday, full rosters and first-round team pairings were announced, with Team UFC taking on Team PRIDE and Team WEC vs. Team Strikeforce.

The teams are as follows:

Team UFC

  • [autotag]Anthony Smith[/autotag] (captain): former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, current UFC light heavyweight contender, WSOF veteran
  • [autotag]Anthony Johnson[/autotag]: former UFC light heavyweight title challenger
  • [autotag]Sean O’Malley[/autotag]: Dana White’s Contender Series signee, undefeated UFC bantamweight
  • [autotag]Clay Guida[/autotag]: 29-fight UFC veteran, current UFC lightweight
  • [autotag]Gilbert Burns[/autotag]: current UFC lightweight/welterweight, second-degree black belt

Team PRIDE

  • [autotag]Kazushi Sakuraba[/autotag] (captain): UFC Hall of Famer, competed in 27 fights under the PRIDE banner, UFC Japan heavyweight tournament winner
  • [autotag]Takanori Gomi[/autotag]: PRIDE lightweight champion, Pride 2005 lightweight grand prix winner, UFC veteran
  • [autotag]Gregor Gracie[/autotag]: grappling world champion, ONE FC veteran, member of the storied Gracie family
  • [autotag]Hector Lombard[/autotag]: former Bellator middleweight champion, Bellator Season 1 middleweight tournament winner, international judo federation gold medalist
  • [autotag]Yves Edwards[/autotag]: three-time PRIDE competitor, UFC and Strikeforce veteran, current PFL commentator

Team WEC

  • [autotag]Chad Mendes[/autotag] (captain): two-time UFC featherweight title challenger, most knockouts in UFC featherweight history (tied with Conor McGregor), two-time NCAA Division 1 All American
  • [autotag]Glover Teixeira[/autotag]: former UFC light heavyweight title challenger, current UFC light heavyweight contender, most submission victories in UFC light heavyweight history (tied with Jon Jones)
  • [autotag]Mark Munoz[/autotag]: two-time WEC competitor, 15-time UFC competitor, two-time NCAA division 1 All American
  • [autotag]Cub Swanson[/autotag]: former UFC featherweight title challenger, former WEC title challenger, 11-time UFC/WEC bonus winner
  • [autotag]James Krause[/autotag]: two-time WEC competitor, current UFC welterweight, currently riding a six-fight win streak

Team Strikeforce

  • [autotag]Gilbert Melendez[/autotag]: WEC lightweight champion, Strikeforce lightweight champion, UFC lightweight title challenger
  • [autotag]Jake Shields[/autotag]: Strikeforce middleweight champion, Elite XC welterweight champion, former UFC welterweight title challenger
  • [autotag]Muhammed Lawal[/autotag]: Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, Bellator 2013 “Summer Series” light heavyweight tournament champion, Bellator season 10 light heavyweight tournament finalist
  • [autotag]Gesias Cavalcante[/autotag]: two-time K-1 HERO’s middleweight grand prix champion, former Titan FC lightweight champion
  • [autotag]Renato Sobral[/autotag]: Strikeforce light heavyweight champion, former UFC light heavyweight title challenger

In addition to the team competition, Quintet Ultra will feature singles matches. [autotag]Gordon Ryan[/autotag] meets [autotag]Aleksei Oleinik[/autotag], while Cynthia Calvillo takes on [autotag]Danielle Kelly[/autotag]. A prelims single match between [autotag]Craig Jones[/autotag] and [autotag]Fredson Paixio[/autotag] also is set.

[opinary poll=”which-team-do-you-think-will-win-at-quin” customer=”mmajunkie”]