"I disembarked to Las Vegas on Friday 13 with two goals in mind. The priority is to solve my professional situation in America before my marriage. I hope the negotiations go on and I can have a starting point next year. My friend Tito Ortiz has been supporting me as he knows the scenes from this side of Pacific. I will talk to UFC officials and I hope a good agreement this time to show off my potential and get the belt that belongs to me. If I haven't good conversations with Zuffa, Strikeforce is an option and I hope I'm not here only to tourism." - Takanori Gomi

Former Pride lightweight champion and pound-for-pound great Takanori Gomi expresses his desire to revitalize his once stallar MMA career by taking his considerable skills stateside. 

Once considered the best lightweight in the world, Gomi (30-5) has gone a pedestrian 2-2 in his last 4 contests, dropping back-to-back losses to Sergey Golyaev and Satoru Kitaoka respectively. He has since won two straight and is looking to get back to prominance in the lightweight division by finding success in the U.S., either with the UFC or Strikeforce.

Gomi was set to make his U.S. debut against Rafaello Oliveira at Affiction 3, but the event was cancelled at the last minute, sending Gomi and dozen's of other fighters scrambling for other fights. Many were picked up by Strikeforce, some like Oliveira signed on with the UFC.

Gomi appears to be considering both options, but would appears to be leaning toward the UFC at this time with the support of good friend Tito Ortiz and to get the belt that "belongs to him."