Takanori Gomi will take on UFC and K-1 veteran Duane "Bang" Ludwig on March 5 at Yoyogi National Stadium Gymnasium No. 1, World Victory Road announced Wednesday.
The 29-year-old Gomi, who announced his signing with WVR late last month, has not seen action since February 2007, where he took on Nick Diaz in their infamous Las Vegas encounter. Gomi was submitted in the second round via gogoplata, however, the fight was later overturned to a no-decision by the Nevada State Athletic Commission after Diaz tested positive for marijuana.
Ludwig, also 29, lost his most high profile bout in 2007 when he was dispatched by upstart UK product Paul Daley. However, Ludwig rebounded in front of his hometown Colorado crowd in September, knocking out German Mario Stapel in under two minutes.
Ludwig was scheduled to compete two weeks before the slated Gomi bout on Feb. 23, when he was to take on Steve Berger as part of Strikeforce's card in Tacoma, Wash. Berger will now do battle with local fighter Eddy Ellis.
WVR also unveiled two other bouts for the March 5 bill. BodogFight champion Nick "The Goat" Thompson will face Brazilian import Fabricio "Pitbull" Monteiro, and Ryo Kawamura (Pictures) meets undefeated Brazilian Antonio Braga Neto.
Earlier this week, WVR announced the signing of Kazuyuki Fujita, who will be in action on the March 5 Sengoku bill against a yet-to-be-named opponent.
This could be a great match-up as Ludwig is training with Bas Rutten!!
