Do you think Gomi is one of the best LW of all time ?

[Hazuki Ryo]

Not in UFC of course if you look at his record.. But even during his prime, i'm not impressed by his resume. Sure he had a good win streak, but his best wins are Pulver, Sakurai, Griffin.. Got beaten by BJ and the Diaz bros.
He is a hell of a puncher with a granite chin, and some of his fights were really exciting to watch. I'm not denying this guy did not have heart, he did put on a show, but i'm not sure we could say he was among the best in the history of the division

 

[Codpiece]

Best wins include Pulver and Sakurai and you aren't impressed? C'mon man....

He's from a different era, is all.

 

[ortizgnp]

Don't know if the best but hell of a fighter and his fight with Nick is legendary.

 

[Benoitthegr8]

IMO he could've been the LW GOAT, but his work ethic and habits never allowed him to reach his full potential when fighting the UFC caliber guys. I know he's past it now, but a few years back when he should've still been in his prime I always got the feeling he was just showing up for a paycheck.

 

[OldBoy91]

Yes. He beat prime Kawajiri, outboxed Pulver when he was still a beast. Don't really need to say anything about Sakurai, that win speaks for itself. Ishida was a hell of a fighter back then too, gave Gilbert his first loss. Not to mention his feud with Chute Box was legendary. He ran through their best lightweights and even called out Wanderlei.

 

[Yojimbo15]

Sadly, for most fans: you are as good as your last match

For me, he is the best LW of all time

 

[The Witcher]

Don't know if the best but hell of a fighter and his fight with Nick is legendary.

It was good but was it that good? Its put on this pedestal but imo it wasnt legendary just memorable.

 

[ortizgnp]

It was good but was it that good? Its put on this pedestal but imo it wasnt legendary just memorable.

Given the fact that Nick Diaz was higher than Joey Diaz, I'd say it was legendary

 

[Spookv]

IMO he could've been the LW GOAT, but his work ethic and habits never allowed him to reach his full potential when fighting the UFC caliber guys. I know he's past it now, but a few years back when he should've still been in his prime I always got the feeling he was just showing up for a paycheck.

That's exactly how i felt about him, it seems he was just happy to still be fighting. His work ethic sure did decline though, he's a notorious party goer and supposedly Vegas and American women did a toll on him.

 

[sabretitan]

It really is a subjective debate; when Gomi was dominating in Pride, the LW division (worldwide was just starting back out again.. That being said, yes for his era Gomi is one of the best LW's.

 

[HUGHPHUG]

You can't just look at a resume and decide someone isn't that great.

He also had wins over guys like Rumina Sato, Mishima, Kawajiri, Azeredo twice, Aurellio, Ishida, all of whom were tougher fights than Pulver and Griffin when he fought and beat them.

Different era, he was one of the best in the world in his weight class for a long time, but the lower weight classes were not as deep then as they have been over the last 5 years.

He is one of the greats, just like many other fighters from his era, saying he was one of the best is subjective

 

[MMAEXP3RT]

No.

 

[LukeSkyRutten]

How many dudes have dropped Nick Diaz?

 

[Benoitthegr8]

That's exactly how i felt about him, it seems he was just happy to still be fighting. His work ethic sure did decline though, he's a notorious party goer and supposedly Vegas and American women did a toll on him.

Yep, supposedly he has on occasion during fight week kept late hours and had payed companions frequenting his hotel room. Not how to prepare for a fight, but who am I to judge. I wasn't going to mention that, but since you did, why not elaborate.

 

[randomg1t]

he was definitely the best at the time. his run through the bushido 9 tournament was a thing of beauty.

i always felt sakurai was really underrated at LW though, if he hadn't fought gomi injured, i think he could've taken the belt and had a better career. that, and actually stayed at LW.

 

[vᴀᴀʀ.]

Easily, could've even been the greatest LW. That wasn't far away. Just look who he has beaten and how.

 

[moreorless87]

Yes. He beat prime Kawajiri, outboxed Pulver when he was still a beast. Don't really need to say anything about Sakurai, that win speaks for itself. Ishida was a hell of a fighter back then too, gave Gilbert his first loss. Not to mention his feud with Chute Box was legendary. He ran through their best lightweights and even called out Wanderlei.

Yeah but like all those guys are way old man and stuff.

 

[FadeLess]

Back in the day he was a beast !!
But for me the best LW award goes to BJ Penn

 

[Magx951]

Can't say he wasn't a beast, the guy doesn't get nearly enough credit. One of the legends for sure.

 

[Streeter]

A fun fighter ..... but come on we start calling Guys on his level "greats" it starts taking something away from that meaning