Dissection by Dallas: Takanori Gomi x Tyson Griffin

You may find yourself helplessly enraptured by the beguiling caricature of Takanori Gomi depicted above.  You are not alone.  A fan on The Underground Forum whittled this masterpiece out a few years ago, and the painfully atrocious rendering inspired a legion of loyal followers; some pleading for him to never even so much as consider drawing ever again, others clamoring for more production to ensure the widespread laughter and joy that so thoroughly accompanied the first.

There's a rumor floating around that the unfortunate artist is now a famous MMA journalist.  The point, however, is that Pride legend Takanori Gomi partakes in part two of his UFC career on Sunday night's "UFC on Versus 2" show, and risks being released should his performance be as disappointing as his first entry versus Kenny Florian.  The reality that this could potentially be Gomi's last premiere MMA fight justified exposing the world to the lore of "Gomi Head".  Therefore, since I am God of only this small white box within the clutches of the internet, Takanori Gomi and his pairing with Tyson Griffin usurps the main event for this installment.

Some mystical force from the heavens surely appeased the prayers of Gomi fans by afflicting Joe Stevenson, Gomi's original opponent who presented a more overwhelming obstacle, with an injury that allowed Griffin to take his place.  Stevenson's bulldog style of wrestling and formidable strength and submission ability represent a nightmare opponent for Gomi, and despite Griffin bearing many of those qualities, the simple fact that he's small for a lightweight and willing to stand and trade blossoms many more remunerative options for "The Fireball Kid".

Since Gomi's punches have looked labored and half-assed ever since Nick Diaz gogoplata'd his warrior spirit into oblivion, and Florian was able to bounce jabs off his chin like a basketball on asphalt, Gomi must quickly adapt to Griffin's stellar footwork, deceivingly fast striking speed, and ridiculously frenetic pace.  This aspect alone where Griffin excels could prove to be Gomi's undoing should he replicate the reaction time and level of defense exhibited in the Florian fight.  If he's actually able to avoid being punched in the face at will while standing flat-footed and offering no offense in return, the doorway for a classic world shattering left-straight will be wide open.

In his heyday, Gomi was elevated into mythical status for constantly defying the odds with highlight reel finishes.  Not unlike the heroic "Minotauro" Nogueira, it was far from rare for Gomi to ingest a spoonful of punishment before pulling out the win, whether a proficient striker, submissionist, or wrestler stood in front of him.  Even if Griffin doesn't force the issue and exploit his inadequacies on the mat, Griffin's striking repertoire will give Gomi fits.  If Gomi can somehow use Griffin's last loss to Evan Dunham--a resilient southpaw who capitalized on his reach advantage well--as a blueprint to mold his strategy, he could fend off Griffin's relentlessly incessant assault by maintaining safe distance and keeping him at the end of his combinations.  To achieve this, shades of "the old Gomi" are a must.

Tyson Griffin has almost every advantage on paper.  There are myriad holes to pinpoint in Gomi's sluggish production, both standing and on the ground, and Griffin's confidence and experience in the octagon only heighten his chances.  Momentarily shedding my blathering favoritism for Gomi, the most likely outcome clearly extracts Griffin dancing circles around the idle statue of Gomi while bombarding him with creatively constructed sequences of straight punches and hooks, with some heavy leg kicks thrown in for good measure.  Devouring him with an unexpected takedown and having his way with him grappling could supplement a finish by stoppage or submission.  Keeping his energetic fuse lit brightly and establishing himself as the elusive aggressor who enters into range, connects freely, and disengages unscathed will quickly put him ahead on the score cards, making a finish more likely and forcing a sense of desperation upon his opponent.

There is no question that this is Tyson Griffin's fight to win.  The man has never been submitted, knocked out, or finished, losing only by decision.  Outworking someone consistently for three rounds with few mistakes is not Gomi's cup of sake.  The former Pride champion should relish in the height and reach advantage he doesn't normally enjoy, find the old fire and place it directly under his ass, and show the world why he entered the UFC as such a heralded idol.  If he can build momentum and confidence by matching blow for blow and proving he can compete, the ridiculous power in his hands can slant the scales in his favor instead of serving as his only prayer.  He may very well crumble under Griffin's frenzied onslaught, as we've seen him struggle with live-wire strikers like Luiz Azeredo and Kenny Florian, who didn't give him an inch of breathing room or a fraction of a second to gather his wits.

A predictable outcome is inevitable here, as a single follicle of Takanori Gomi's hair could enter the cage tonight and still be awarded my nod to emerge victorious.  Standing in outright defiance in the face of logic, reason, and sensibility, Gomi is one of the few remaining fighters who inevitably inspire my heart to make the prediction instead of my head.  Japanese MMA is dying a slow death, legends of the past are dropping like flies, and today's MMA fighters are trampling those of the past.  There must be some semblance of balance, so here's to Takanori Gomi leveling the scales and actualizing the impossible one more time.

My prediction:  Gomi by KO