
By Patrick Lujan
Jon Tuck has already established himself in Guam’s sports folklore. A win in his next UFC fight may just push that placement into the Asian realm.
That’s because he’ll be taking on Japanese MMA legend Takanori Gomi in UFC Singapore on June 17th.
Gomi has almost 18 years of pro fighting experience and the list of opponents runs deep in his 47 fights (35-12). Tuck was just 16-years-old and a student at Guam High when Gomi started banging in Japan’s Shooto promotion. Tuck’s total fights (13) is just one more than Gomi’s entire losses.
Wins in the Octagon have been hard to come by for both fighters, however, making this fight a critical crossroads for each lightweight.
Tuck has just returned back home from a training camp with long-time mentor Marcos Oliveira in Abu Dhabi.
As for Gomi, the battle scars are worn on his sleeve with fights against B.J. Penn, Nate Diaz, Nick Diaz, Diego Sanchez, Kenny Florian, Clay Guida, Leonardo Santos, Joe Luazon….and much more.
“He is a warrior that fights to the end,” said fellow Japanese legend and Guam friend Enson Inoue. “Always dangerous and can unleash a KO punch at any time during a fight. A true fighter with the spirit of a samurai.”
Other than his dynamic, relentless pace, Gomi is also known for his knockout power. Thirteen of his wins came by way of knockout – eight in the first round.
“He’s got heavy hands,” said MMA royalty Royce Gracie about Gomi.
On the personal side, Gomi is known to be a quiet man from Kanagawa who still requires an interpreter to help with interviews.
“He’s real quiet and frank,” Inoue added. “Not flamboyant. He’s humble and always come to pay his respects to me.”
GSPN is grateful to get help from his fight camp to answer some of our questions for the “The Fireball Kid”.

TOKYO, JAPAN: Takanori Gomi during the press conference for UFC Fight Night: Japan Hunt v Nelson at Park Hyatt Tokyo on June 26, 2014 in Tokyo, Japan. (Photo by Keith Tsuji/Zuffa LLC/Zuffa LLC via Getty Images)
GSPN: Hafa adai from Guam Gomi san. Why did you take this fight against Jon Tuck?
Gomi: Tuck is an aggressive fighter, so we can compete with each other well.
GSPN: How much of Tuck did you know prior to being offered to fight him?
Gomi: I knew that he was also fighting at the Macao event, where I fought. (Note: both fighters fought in back-to-back bouts. Gomi defeated Mac Danzig and Tuck won his UFC debut in 2012)
GSPN: Have you done your homework on Tuck? If so, what impresses you the most about his fight game?
Gomi: He is good at striking and grappling, too. Also, he is one of the fighters from Guam, who is doing great work to make MMA popular locally.
GSPN: You have much more experience than he does. You’ve been in battles with the world’s Who’s Who? in the lightweight division. Meanwhile, you’ll be Tuck’s biggest challenge as far as name recognition. How do you approach such a fight against someone who can make a name for himself by beating you?
Gomi: I always have attitude to challenge myself to improve. You have to fight yourself.
GSPN: You’re both coming off losing streaks. Does that fuel the fire even more, knowing that two fighters are in desperate need of a win?
Gomi: Fighters naturally wants victory on any fights regardless the record or situation.
GSPN: You’re 38-years-old. How old does the body feel after nearly 20 years of world-class level fighting?
Gomi: I feel I have gained some muscle recently.
GSPN: Guam…a very popular tourist destination for Japanese. We’ve had the likes of Saduharu Oh, Sakuraba and Enson Inoue visit us on numerous occasions. Ever plan on visiting us?
Gomi: I would love to visit Guam after the fight.
GSPN: How do you envision your fight with Jon Tuck playing out?
Gomi: I wish our fight can show our strength. If so, It should be great fight.


Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
GPS Sports Calendar
May 2022
- SU
- MO
- TU
- WE
- TH
- FR
- SA
Events for May
2nd
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #4
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
3rd
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL QUARTERFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
5th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
6th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
7th
GPD HOT PURSUIT 5K
MARIANAS OPEN
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
Events for May
9th
ISA TRACK & FIELD MEET #5
ISA GIRLS SOCCER
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
ISA GIRLS SOCCER All-Star Meeting
IIAAG GIRLS BEACH VOLLEYBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG GIRLS SOCCER CHAMPIONSHIP
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
10th
Events for May
12th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
IIAAG BOYS VOLLEYBALL ALL-ISLAND MEETING
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA GIRLS SOCCER SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
12th
Events for May
14th
14th JUDICA CRABAO 5K
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA GIRLS SOCCER FINALS
Events for May
16th
ISA TRACK & FIELD ALL-ISLAND MEET
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE All-Star Meeting
Events for May
17th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
18th
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
IIAAG GIRLS MIDDLE SCHOOL BASKETBALL CHAMPIONSHIP
Events for May
19th
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE SEMIFINALS
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
20th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL All-Star Meeting
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
21st
Pre-Memorial Day 13-Miler
GETTING GUAM HEALTHY 5K BUBBLE RUN/HEALTH FAIR
ISA MIDDLE SCHOOL TRACK & FIELD All-ISLAND MEET
ISA RUGBY LEAGUE FINALS
ALPHA WARRIOR ESPORTS CHAMPIONSHIPS
ISA BASEBALL LEAGUE FINALS
2022 Guam Track & Field National Championships
Events for May
23rd
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL SEMIFINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
24th
Events for May
26th
ISA BOYS VOLLEYBALL FINALS
GUAM MAJOR LEAGUE
Events for May
27th
- 29
- 30
- 31
- 1
- 2
- 3
- 4
Events for May
29th
Events for May
30th

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON

Volleyball
VOLLEYBALL ALL-STAR PLAYERS DRAFTED

Baseball
DODGERS HAND TRITONS FIRST LOSS

Volleyball
TITANS COMPLETE PERFECT 2022 SEASON
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
Foody’s Fun Facts
Foody’s Fun Facts with Makayla Atoigue
ND Royals Rugby Player Makayla Atoigue lays down her Foody’s Fun Facts and shares her dream vacation spot
COMING SOON …
- YOUTH FOOTBALL LEAGUE KICKOFF June 4
- Todd Gurley Football Camp on Andersen
- GSPN Boys Volleyball All-Star Game
- Pacific Mini-Games in Saipan