Diego Sanchez Targets Takanori Gomi for Potential Fight at UFC on Fuel in Japan
Damon Martin
An injury put former Ultimate Fighter winner Diego Sanchez on the sidelines for most of 2012, but he's ready to kick things off with a potentially big match-up in 2013 with his return to the lightweight division.
Sanchez said via Twitter on Friday that he has requested a bout against former Pride lightweight champion Takanori Gomi for the upcoming UFC on Fuel card headed to Japan on March 2.
"Might have a fight lined up for March 2," wrote Sanchez. "Just waiting on the man Joe Silva to see if Mr. Fireball Kid takes it?"
Mr. Fireball Kid is of course reference to Gomi, who most recently fought and won at UFC on Fuel in China where he defeated another former Ultimate Fighter winner in Mac Danzig.
It appears Sanchez, who is returning to lightweight for the first time since a 2009 fight against B.J. Penn, is targeting a Japanese legend in his home country.
There is little doubt that the UFC would like to have Gomi fight on the upcoming card in Japan, and a fight against Sanchez could serve at worst as co-main event on the show.
MMAWeekly.com will continue to update this fight if it becomes a done deal.