I thought Gomis comments before the fight were interesting
PRIDE Lightweight GP champion Takanori Gomi, on March 29th, invited the media to his practice session at Kiguchi Dojo in Machida, Tokyo. Gomi was supposed to spar for five minutes but instead he only rolled around for just three minutes. Gomi is aware that his opponent, Marcus Aurelio, likes to snap on the triangle and armbar from the bottom. So, in this sparring, Gomi repeated follow up moves, escapes from triangle or armbar, then pounding and stomping from the top.
Gomi looked sharp but at the same time, he seems like he was suffering from a stuffy nose and also, he was constantly mumbling, 'It's hot.' One reporter asked him 'Did you catch a cold?' Gomi replied, 'It's been warm these days so after practice, I was a bit careless, but it's not that big of a deal. Just a nose, it's not like I have a fever or anything.'
He denied any physical problem but what about his mental state? 'Sometime, I feel down, or get bored with myself, thinking negative, but on the day of the fight, when I watch other fighters battling in the ring, I can't be saying such a thing. Before the Main Even, I think I will get back to my normal mode.'
It is uncharacteristic for Gomi to make such bare remarks. On top of this, when other reporter asked him about plans of opening his own dojo, 'Right now, I am in the best environment, but I do get bored easily, especially after ten years or so, I also do need a change. Should I train at a different gym to get stimulated? Or should I stay in the same place? I think this fight will give me that answer.'
In fact, Gomi hired this jiu-jitsu fighter to prepare for this fight but this jiu-jitsu fighter got injured so he really couldn't work on detailed tactics against another jiu-jitsu fighter so he may be feeling a bit worried. 'I don't think I am feeling flat. But it is after I achieved my goal. It would be great if I could discover something new in this fight.'