UFC 125: CLAY GUIDA vs TAKANORI GOMI

by trinidyanna @ trinidypicks.blogspot.com

UFC 125 is coming up and the main card is looking to be promising.  These two lightweights will definitely put on a show.  Who will take it?  Will the Carpenter be able to put out the Fireball Kid?

Clay Guida never fails in bringing exciting fights to UFC fans. His style is explosive, new viewers may think 'irate', extremely unrestrained.  Guida showcases endurance, talent, and fierce passion in the octagon.  Throwing combinations and applying pressure to his opponents, forcing them to be on the top of their game.  He's got a record of 26W-8L going into this fight.  With his last win, this past August at UFC 117 against Rafael dos Anjos, where he submitted dos Anjos with what appeared to be forcing a possible broken jaw.  Before that, forcing Shannon Gugerty to tap out due to an arm triangle choke submission.

Takanori Gomi has an amazing record.  Former Shooto Welterweight Champion,  the only Pride Lightweight Champion, and he's also a four-time All Japan Combat Wrestling champion.  His first appearance in UFC ended in a Loss by Submission (rear naked choke) from his opponent Kenny Florian. (Guida, also lost to Florian by same submission.)  Gomi seems to be a more defensive fighter, looking for an opening or counter.  As for his conditioning, referencing his fight against Florian, he seems to deflate and lose energy and power by the end of the 2nd round.  He does have the potential for knockout power punch as seen against Tyson Griffin.

Placing these two in the octagon, what will happen?

Personally I think that Clay Guida will obviously apply pressure from the start of the fight.  Throwing his combinations and  forcing his opponent to retreat into defence.  Takanori might get flustered with Guida's style of fighting, opening up for Guida to take the knockout shot.  If Gomi somehow manages to get past Guida's fists of fury, I think his conditioning may hinder his chance to beat Guida.  Guida may go for a takedown and submission in the 3rd round.  I don't think there's anyway for Takanori Gomi to pull a knockout on Guida - Guida's chin is like a freaking rock made of gold!  Takanori's only hope is to place some accurately placed haymakers or bodyshots to slow Guida down. 

I'm still going for Guida, for a TKO.