Takanori Gomi, Sato, Inoue v Nogueira Confirmed for Vale Tudo Japan '09

Former PRIDE lightweight champ “Fireball Kid” Takanori Gomi (28-6) and featherweight “Moon Wolf” Rumina Sato (26-12-2) are confirmed in separate bouts for Vale Tudo Japan ’09 in Tokyo October 30, Sherdog reported Tuesday.

Gomi will try to further his climb back from his first two consecutive loss slide since 2003.  At Shooto Tradition Final in Tokyo last May, he broke the streak with a second round KO of Takashi Nakakura (10-2-1).  According to Sherdog, VTJ ’09 promoter Kazuhiro Sakamoto (12-4) hinted that Gomi could face a UFC fighter in October, revealing Sakamoto has contacted Zuffa, LLC, parent company of the UFC and WEC, about exchanging fighters.

At a press conference in Tokyo Tuesday, Gomi wouldn’t commit to a future in MMA after VTJ ’09, citing his aspirations in professional surfing.

Sato has dug himself an even deeper pit than Gomi, losing his last four and six of his last seven.  “Lion” Takeshi Inoue (13-3) TKO’d the veteran at Tradition Final.  His opponent at VTJ ’09 is also yet to be determined.

However, a featherweight matchup between Inoue and Brazilian “Pequeno” Alexandre Franca Nogueira (13-5-2) was also confirmed.

“Pequeno” was TKO’d by countryman “Junior” Jose Aldo (14-1) in his WEC debut in Sacramento in June 2008.  That was Nogueira’s last fight and only fight in the WEC after testing positive for the anabolic steroid Boldenone after the fight.

Though not a Shooto event, VTJ ’09 will include Shooto fights contested under variances on international MMA rules as Shooto consider changes to its own rules to better comply with international MMA rules standards.

VTJ ’09 will take place at JCB Hall in Tokyo October 30.