"Fighting in the UFC means a lot of people will recognize me and that's one reason I'll enjoy fighting in the UFC. People might think I'm lazy because I only fight every four years, [laughs] but that's fine because I trained very hard for this fight. I don't know much about Kenny Florian, but I know that everyone in the UFC is very strong. When I get inside the Octagon, I know I'll be ready. I'm going to bring back the strength I had in PRIDE as the champion and beat Kenny Florian. When I punch Kenny, he's going to go down. I'm going to keep punching him until he quits. My goal is to become the first Japanese UFC lightweight champion. Florian's not going to get in my way. I'm going to beat Kenny Florian, then I'll avenge my loss to B.J. Penn. I will become the lightweight champion."  - Takanori Gomi

Takanori Gomi will make his UFC debut against Kenny Florian in the headline event of UFC Fight Night 21 on March 31, in the finale to what has been an action-packed month.

Gomi (31-5 1 NC) brings a wealth of experience earned over his 13-year MMA career, and was the reigning lightweight champion in Japan's defunct Pride organization. Known for his dangerous striking skills, Gomi holds the record for the fastest knockout in Pride history, with a six-second KO of Ralph Gracie at Pride Bushido 3.

The "Fireball Kid" fought B.J. Penn back in 2003 at Rumble on the Rock 4, losing by way of rear naked choke in what would be his last loss before embarking on a 10-fight winning streak in Pride. A victory over Florian would certainly put Gomi high on the list of potential title contenders in the increasingly competitive lightweight division - and it's obvious that the idea of another chance to face Penn is a motivating factor for the scrappy Japanese fighter.

Gomi has gone 4-2 since his days with Pride, and is currently riding a two-fight winning streak, with his most recent victory coming over Tony Hervey at Vale Tudo Japan 2009 last October. Florian (12-4) is coming off of a win over Clay Guida at UFC 107, after falling to Penn when he challenged for the lightweight title at UFC 101.