UFC 125 Results and Reactions: Clay Guida Vs. Takanori Gomi

2011 has arrived!! And the UFC began a very Happy New Year with “UFC 125: Resolution.” Emanating from the MGM Grand Garden Arena in Las Vegas, Nevada, the year’s first event was worth the price of admission.

In the first match of the pay-per-view broadcast, Clay Guida, coming off of two straight submission victories over Rafael dos Anjos and Shannon Gugerty, after suffering two major defeats at the hands of Kenny Florian and Diego Sanchez, was pit against Takanori Gomi, who recently became the only man to stop the durable Tyson Griffin.

Gomi’s victory over Griffin was a big rebound from a lackluster performance that resulted in Gomi being submitted from a rear-naked choke applied by Kenny Florian.

A win for either man would have been a big step towards getting into the title picture.

Clay Guida is a fan favorite for his fast-paced, unorthodox style. Training under Greg Jackson has immensely improved “The Carpenter’s” game, as evidenced in his last two bouts.  Guida utilizes wild head and body movement, with great wrestling and top control, to confuse, smother and ultimately choke his opponent to submission.

Takanori Gomi is a legend from the days of Pride. Gomi is known for having devastating power in both hands. After faltering in his UFC debut, Gomi turned the ship right around with a knockout victory over lightweight mainstay Tyson Griffin. Gomi would have raised his stock in the division with a win over “The Carpenter.”

The way the bout played out was exactly what you expect from a quality Jackson pupil. Clay Guida confused “The Fireball Kid” with an irritating yet effective style of movement while staying outside of the range of the powerful Gomi.

In the second round, Guida shot in for the takedown, receiving a hellacious knee to the face. In usual “Carpenter” fashion, Guida weathered the big blow, completed the take down, and worked for the guillotine choke, forcing Gomi to submit.

For Clay Guida, this is his third consecutive victory, all finished by way of submission. With a couple more big wins over elite competition, Guida could find himself in the title picture. I would say the most intriguing scenarios would be a bout with the winner of Jim Miller and Kamal Shalorus at UFC 128 or George Sotiropolous should he be victorious over Dennis Siver.

Takanori Gomi has now gone 1-2 in his three bouts inside the octagon, both losses by way of submission. Because of his name and recent victory over Griffin, Gomi will receive another shot to stay relevant in the lightweight picture. I would like to see him welcome a WEC lightweight to the cage possibly, Donald Cerrone. Cerrone would be willing to stand and bang, which could lend into the monstrous hands of “The Fireball Kid.”

Regardless of the opponent, another loss for Takanori Gomi, and he will likely receive his walking papers.