If taking out a TUF winner and former title challenger in his last fight didn’t get the 155-pound division’s attention, perhaps defeating a legend will.
On Saturday, that’s exactly what undefeated Myles Jury looks to do when he squares off with Takanori Gomi in the co-main event at UFC Fight Night in Saitama, Japan.
The 25-year-old has quietly amassed the second longest winning streak in the lightweight division–only Khabib Nurmagomedov has won more bouts in a row–yet Jury (14-0) hasn’t received the same accolades as his peers. Back in June, the Alliance MMA member was scheduled to square off with Abel Trujillo at UFC Fight Night 44, in a bout many thought would create a new contender in the 155-pound division. However, an injury would force Jury off the card and made him an afterthought in a very crowded lightweight division.
Since Jury’s last fight in March, several contenders have emerged. Donald Cerrone has won two straight and is slated to fight former Bellator 155-pound champion Eddie Alvarez on Sept. 27 at UFC 178; Bobby Green and Rafael Dos Anjos both pulled off upsets in their fights against Josh Thomson and Benson Henderson, respectively. Nurmagomedov, despite being injured, still remains in the conscience of MMA fans by calling out UFC lightweight champion Anthony Pettis and continues to be active on social media. With that said, Jury has become lost in the shuffle despite winning five straight in the Octagon. When a bout with fellow contender Nate Diaz failed to materialize, the UFC matched him up with the former PRIDE champion, Gomi.
Gomi (35-9, 1 NC) established himself as a superstar over in Japan, mainly with his success in the now defunct PRIDE organization. Saturday, “The Fireball Kid” will be competing in his second home–the Saitama Super Arena–where he’s fought eight times in his career. The 35-year-old has endured a lacklustre UFC tenure, going 4-4 since signing with the promotion in 2010. It’s no secret he desperately needs a victory over an up-and-comer like Jury if he ever wants a shot at UFC championship gold. Gomi is hoping for better fortune this time around in Japan. The last time he competed in his native country, he was on the wrong side of a spilt decision loss against Diego Sanchez despite many pundits feeling Gomi deserved the win. Despite winning three of his last four fights, Gomi heads into this lightweight affair as low as a 5-1 underdog on certain betting websites.
Expect this contest to stay on the feet, with both combatants looking to see who has the better standup. With a combined 20 career knockouts, it’s unlikely we’ll see this bout go the full three rounds. Jury will have both a height and reach advantage, while also being the much younger fighter. Gomi has competed 35 more times than Jury and made his professional MMA debut when the TUF 15 contestant was just 10 years old.
Make no mistake about it, if Jury wants to elevate his status as a contender in the lightweight division, a finish over a fan favourite like Gomi would certainly do that. The San Diego native will need to revert to the form that saw him win his first 10 pro fights all by first-round stoppage. Jury’s best bet may be the ground, as six of Gomi’s nine losses have come by way of submission. Interestingly enough, through 45 career bouts, Gomi has never been knocked out.
This is the type of fight that could be a career defining moment for Jury. The question is can he capitalize on it?
