Takanori Gomi: Why Takanori Gomi Could Be UFC's Next Big Star

Mixed Martial Arts is a fleeting sport.  The great ones spend time at the top, but only for a moment.  When you see someone special you stand up and take notice.

This past weekend illustrated to me that UFC has yet another star on the rise.  Takanori Gomi has the style, panache, and power to be the next star in mixed-martial arts.

Here's why.

Takanori Gomi has Knockout Power

Some of you may have missed this past weekend's fight between Takanori Gomi and Tyson Griffin.  MMA fights are short to begin with, but this was a classic case of better fighter taking a breath to assess his opponent and then just annihilating him.

The first thing that was apparent is Gomi has power.  He turns a nice young fellow like Griffin into a rag doll.  Griffin is not normally put on the deck so easily.  But he was dropped this weekend, and quickly.

Takanori Gomi Can Box

One thing that too often gets left out of MMA discussions is the fighters ability to box.  We all know that fights get taken to the mat in all, but a few fights.  However, those fighters that have a boxers skill set have the upper hand in the fights' opening.

I have always like Gomi's hand and feet work, and in this fight, it was all boxing.  On Sunday night, Tyson Griffin,  who comes to pummel rather than box Gomi, leaves his head completely exposed.  This allows a left from Takanori Gomi to turn into a huge right that ends the fight.

Gomi was a Shooto Wrestling Champion

As always, an MMA fighter is only as good as his submissions. Take a brute like Kimbo Slice who is built like a Grizzly bear but can't win a fight in UFC, all because he is horrible on the ground. I will retract that last point if Kimbo is reading.

Gomi has the most crucial aspect of UFC down pat. He was a Welterweight Shooto champion. It is a style of wrestling that has served him well in his most recent ventures. Nearly, half of his victories have come from the ground.

He has a Personality

His nickname is "The Fireball Kid." Now say that without a smile. His victory celebrations and style of fighting just leave you feeling good. I mean you would have to disregard the heaping pile of unconsciousness that he left in the ring, but he himself is intoxicating.

He his a man that enjoys what he does and it shows. Fans pick up on that.

He Is Putting It All Together

Take a look at the following video, you may have to skip past the opening fluff.  In all, it is a good course in the totality of this fighter. A strong-willed, quick, dynamo that will soon be mowing down the elite of the UFC