After much speculation and calling-for from fans, it seems Japanese featherweight Michihiro Omigawa could soon be fighting under the Zuffa banner once more.
Earlier this week, Omigawa wrote on Twitter that he’d just returned home from Las Vegas, though he didn’t divulge what the trip was about.
Today, the resurgent Yoshida Dojo product tells Nikkan Sports that he was offered a bout against an unnamed opponent at WEC 53 on Dec. 16 in Arizona — but it sounds like he’s got another fight in mind for the end of the year.
Per Gryphon:
Big news!! next target of OMIGAWA is…AOKI shinya!! He hiope [sic] NY eve Dynamite!! fight,and..he confirm the offer from WEC!!
Omigawa vs. Shinya Aoki would certainly be an interesting scrap. We’ve seen Omigawa falter at lightweight in the UFC previously, but his relentless style and cracking power could test the Dream champ’s chin. Likewise, his judo game and strong submission defense run counter to Aoki’s strongest suits.
At the same time, Omigawa still has a few interesting bouts left at featherweight in Japan, such as rematches with Marlon Sandro, Hatsu Hioki or Masanori Kanehara. Those seem less likely to happen, though, after the falling out between Sengoku and Omigawa’s management company, J-Rock.
In WEC, one obvious fight to make would be a rematch between Omigawa and “Korean Zombie” Chan Sung Jung. The pair met in Deep back in 2008, with Jung taking a win on points in Omigawa’s featherweight debut. “Michi” recently made comments explaining why he felt he lost the match, prompting Jung to call him a “coward” and hope for a rematch in WEC.
Either way, at 34, Omigawa’s no spring chicken, so here’s hoping he can settle into a permanent home and keep up the torrid pace — 10 fights in 20 months, with a record of 8-1-1 — that he’s been on the last two years.
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