GOMI: Takanori Gomi trains with Yusuke Endo, Masaru Gokita, Naoki Sakurada and the rest of Kiguchi Wrestling Dojo. He is the former SHOOTO welterweight champion and has a record of 18-2 in MMA. Gomi has trained in the SHOOTO Gym and as part of K’s Factory. A veteran of Vale Tudo Japan, SuperBrawl, Rumble on the Rock and Pride Bushido, this will be his first bout on the main Pride show. Gomi played baseball and other sports but was taught judo by his father (who was self-taught himself) and forced to train with him at home.

Takanori began fighting for the SHOOTO organization in 1998 and took part in SuperBrawl 12 (one of only two appearances outside Japan) against Stephan Palling. He earned a submission victory there and later fought in the 1999 “Japan vs. Brazil” Vale Tudo Japan show (the last in the series of annual VTJ events) against Johnny Eduardo and choked out the IVC veteran.

Gomi has attained near legendary status in SHOOTO and remained undefeated for five years, taking on Paul Rodriguez, Ryan Bow, Chris Brennan, Rumina Sato and Dokonjonsuke Mishima. It wasn’t until he faced Norwegian fighter Joachim Hansen that he lost his title in August of 2003. He followed that bout with a trip to Hawaii and a match with B.J. Penn, where he was choked out in the third round.

The time and offer seemed right and Gomi made the move to Pride. He easily defeated Chute Boxe fighter Jadson Costa at the second Pride Bushido show. Takanori knocked out former B.J. Penn trainer Ralph Gracie with knees to the head in just six seconds at Bushido 3 and went on to defeat Fabio Mello and Charles Bennett in first round stoppages at subsequent Bushido events.

PULVER: Striker Jens Pulver is 21-5-1 in MMA and is the former UFC lightweight champion. He trains on and off with members of the Miletich Fighting Systems camp, which includes Jeremy Horn, Tony Fryklund and Pat Miletich. Pulver also trains with and is cornered by his brother Able.

Pulver got his start fighting in local events in Boise, Idaho and turned up the level of competition fighting in the Bas Rutten Invitationals in Colorado. He made it to the final of BRI 2 and won the four-man tournament at BRI 3. He moved from the Shamrock 2000 team to then UFC lightweight champion Pat Miletich’s camp.

Jens first appeared in the Octagon at UFC 22 against Alfonso Alcarez in a bout that ended a draw. He bounced back and forth between the UFC and the World Extreme Fighting promotion. He knocked out Midwest fighter and Silver Bullet promoter Phil Johns in WEF 8, TKO’d David Velasquez at UFC 24 and returned to WEF 9 to KO Eric Hibler.

At UFC 26 he faced Joao Roque and won a decision, but experienced just his third loss when he was submitted by Din Thomas at the final WEF show. After another win in a small show, Jens went 4-0 in the UFC defeating John Lewis, Caol Uno, Dennis Hallman and BJ Penn before deciding to leave the UFC to fight elsewhere and attempt a career in boxing. Decision wins in Ultimate Wrestling and his first bout in Japan (at UFO) led to a fight with Duane Ludwig in the Canadian UCC promotion. Pulver was KO’d and then KO’d again at a HOOK’n’SHOOT event by Jason Maxwell four months later. But rather than spiral downward, Pulver has fought valiantly and is 4-0 with two KOs since his back-to-back losses. Although opting to fight for the SHOOTO organization earlier this year, he makes his Pride debut on the NYE show.

MY PICK: This could have easily gone down in SHOOTO but the rules are more open here. Either way I pick Gomi. I like Pulver’s heart and I’m pleased he is doing well but I feel Pride has quickly become Gomi’s house. Pulver has the hands to hurt Gomi but his ground game may not be on par with the former SHOOTO champion. Gomi by submission in the first round.