Stevenson vs. Gomi Slated For UFC on Versus 2

[Benny B]

Joe "Daddy" Stevenson and Takanori Gomi will both be looking for redemption in Salt Lake City on Aug. 2 when they meet at UFC on Versus 2 in a lightweight contest.

The bout was confirmed to MMAWeekly.com on Thursday by sources close to the fight, with verbal agreements in place at this time. The fight was initially reported as a possibility by Heavy.com.

It's been a rocky road over the past couple of years for Joe Stevenson (31-11) who, after winning "The Ultimate Fighter Season 2," has seen more success than failures, but is still looking for solid footing in what is one of the toughest divisions in the sport.

Going 3-3 in his last six fights, Stevenson traveled to Australia for his last fight and found a home country kid in George Sotiropoulos waiting for him, and maybe catching him by surprise. Sotiropoulos dominated en route to a three-round decision victory, and Stevenson is now battling back from the loss.

Opposing Stevenson in Utah will be former Pride champion Takanori Gomi (31-6), as he tries to bring back some of the "Fireball Kid" that ruled Japan for so many years. Making his UFC debut in March, Gomi ran into Kenny Florian, one of the top lightweights in the sport, and he was systematically dismantled for the better part of three rounds before succumbing to a rear naked choke in the final five minutes.

Gomi hopes to make more out of his second appearance in the Octagon when he faces Stevenson in August.

[*ChuteBoxe*]

Not a good match up for Gomi unless it stays standing.  Hopefully he trains with Kenny and GSP like he said he would and works to improve that aspect of his game.

[George Whorewell]

Joe Daddy is going to dominate unless Gomi seriously steps up his game.

[LatsMcGee]

I think you guys forget that when Gomi was young he was known for his wrestling and not his striking,  the Japanese fans thought he was boring.  Tak needs better sub defense,  if he could get that down he would fine, his offense on the ground is top notch. 

If Gomi can get Joe into the fence and work his top game he can stop him from there,  if anything he needs to get back to that or just learn to throw more jabs.  It seems like Tak really forgot about throwing his jab over the past few years. 

Should be an entertaining match up none the less.   

[George Whorewell]

I dunno man-- Since Pride folded the japanese fighters have looked nothing short of abysmal when fighting outside of Japan or whenever they fight inside a cage. The American athletes ( and the brazilian ones etc.) just physically dominate them in all areas. I can just see Joe Daddy taking Gomi down and beating his face in.