Posts

Vote

Two Bouts Added to Invicta FC 23 Fight Card

/1 Comment/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — As revealed by Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp on Invicta FC All-Access, two new match-ups have joined the fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 23.

Joining the previously announced main event between former flyweight title challenger Vanessa Porto (18-7) and undefeated Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (9-0) of Poland will be a featherweight contest between Brazil’s Ediane “India” Gomes (10-4) and Pam “Bam” Sorenson (5-1), as well as a bantamweight affair featuring newcomers Shaianna “Yaya” Rincon (0-0) and Brooksie “The Bear” Bayard (1-1).

Gomes will be making her fifth appearance in the Invicta cage. She’ll return to 145 pounds for the first time since 2013 after two fights at bantamweight. The Brazilian has faced many of the sport’s biggest names including current Invicta champion Tonya Evinger, current UFC champion Amanda Nunes and former champion Ronda Rousey.

Minnesota’s Sorenson will compete for the second time under the Invicta banner. She claimed a split decision win over Australia’s Jessy Rose-Clark at Invicta FC 20 last November.

The 23-year-old Rincon will be making her professional debut at the event. Hailing from California, the MMA Gold fighter compiled a perfect 4-0 record as an amateur.

Bayard enters the event having split her two professional outings. The Louisiana native, who now trains in California, is coming off a first-round submission win in her most recent bout.

The event takes place Saturday, May 20, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. It streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. ET.

The updated Invicta FC 23 fight card can be found below:

Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-7) vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (9-0)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (20-13) vs. Sarah D’Alelio (11-6)
Atomweight: Herica Tiburcio (10-4) vs. Tessa Simpson (5-1)
Bantamweight: Elizabeth Phillips (6-5) vs. Kelly Faszholz (3-2)
Flyweight: Andrea Lee (6-2) vs. Liz Tracy (3-1)
Featherweight: Ediane Gomes (10-4) vs. Pam Sorenson (5-1)
Strawweight: Tiffany Van Soest (0-1) vs. Christine Ferea (1-0)
Bantamweight: Shaianna Rincon (0-0) vs. Brooksie Bayard (1-1)

Tickets for Invicta FC 23 can be purchased via Ticketfly.com.

About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport. Follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

Vote

Ediane Gomes vs. Amanda Bell Pulled From Invicta FC 15

/4 Comments/in /by

Costa Mesa, Calif. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 15 has undergone a last-minute change.

The promotion has announced that featherweight Ediane Gomes (10-4) suffered complications during her weight cut and her bout with Amanda Bell (3-3) has been pulled from the card.

The event will now proceed with seven contests.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The event will take place from The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Shino VanHoose (4-3)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4) 
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.com.

About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

Vote

Fighting Words: Ediane Gomes

/in /by

Making the drop to 135lbs, grizzled veteran Ediane Gomes looks to defeat fellow veteran Tonya Evinger September 6th at Invicta FC 8 in a pivotal bantamweight affair.

 
Corey Smith: What initially drew you to the world of martial arts? What has kept you motivated to continue improving throughout the years?
Ediane Gomes:  I started training Jiu-Jitsu in my teenage years, just to be out of the streets for a little. What motivated me to keep going was that I saw it was something I truly loved.  All I can say is this is all I can do. All my life was about fighting.  It’s like I was born to be a fighter and a fighter only.

 
CS: You currently train at American Top Team in Florida, but have had trouble finding female training partners in your weight class. Has that situation improved?
EG: No, I continue to train like I usually do, I train with guys only and I find it better for me

 
CS: Regarding weight classes, your upcoming bout will mark your 135lb debut. What challenges have you had dropping down to 135?
EG: I always wanted to drop to 135lbs; I believe this is my weight class.   This motivated me to train even harder and eat leaner.  I believe getting used to eating lean 24/7 is a challenge, but I am here now and here to stay.

 
CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest aspect of being a fighter. Setting that aside, what do you consider the hardest aspect of being a fighter?
EG: For me, there’s no hardest part this is something I love to do.  I enjoy every aspect of being a fighter. I love everything. It makes who I am today.

 
CS: You spoke often about your desire to fight Cris Cyborg. Where does that desire come from?
EG: I was a big fan to Cris, until I noticed she never really says my name on her interviews only REFERS TO ME AS THE BRAZILIAN girl, SHE never really mentioned my name.  I think it’s very disrespectful. One day I will mark my name on her face.

 
CS: Your opponent on September 6th at Invicta FC 8, Tonya Evinger, is a highly respected veteran of the sport. What challenges do you foresee in the bout?
EG: My challenge is to fight, I want to fight and do whatever it takes to do what it needs to be done. That is, bringing my victory back home

 
CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
EG: My mood is pretty much focusing.  I feel like hey this is it, fight day, can’t wait to go in the cage and kick ass.  What I do, is I pray to God and go to war.

 
CS: Who generally accompanies you to the cage? What type of feedback and coaching do you prefer from your corners?
EG: My corners.  I like to hear that I’m ready and let’s do this.

 
CS: For those that have not experienced it, how would you describe the walk out to the cage?
EG: I feel like I can do whatever I want to do. I feel like I am free to play.

 
CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
EG: I like to go to the movies, and reading the Bible helps me to relax.

 
CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
EG: First of all, I want to thank God for giving me opportunity and placing amazing people in my life. Shannon Knapp for always taking care of the athletes, my team at ATT, my manager Linda , and my love, and all my sponsors and you for taking time to do this interview!

 

Invicta FC 8 takes place September 6th live from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below for tickets, or to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

ticketmasterlogo

 

UFC-Fight-Pass

 

 

Vote

FIGHTING WORDS: EDIANE GOMES

/in /by

Riding a four fight win streak, Brazilian Featherweight Ediane Gomes returns to the Invicta cage on July 13th when she faces Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 6.

A woman of few words, Gomes has faced top flight competition her entire career, and after a injurt forced her off Invicta FC 5, she is intent on a win this July. Training out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, Gomes is looking to become a world champion at 145 lbs, and a win against Tweet is the next step towards that goal.

Corey Smith: You had to pull out of your Invicta FC 5 bout with Cris Cyborg with an unspecified training injury. Can you tell us what that injury was? And have you fully recovered from it?

Ediane Gomes: I had a severe contusion on my ribs.  Originally we thought they were broken and it looked like 2 of them were sticking out of my stomach.  I wasn’t able to train for several weeks.

EG: I am fully recovered now and was very disappointed I could not fight Cyborg.  I really wanted that fight.

CS: What are your goals in Invicta this year after coming back from the injury?

EG: I want to be the Title Champion.

CS: How do ensure that another injury does not occur but also receive the proper amount of training for the fight?

EG: Injuries happen in this sport.  I try to be careful but I train very hard.  I train with the men.  I want to be the best so I always go 100%.

CS: Cyborg went on to fight Fiona Muxlow, and is now scheduled to face Marloes Coenen for the Invicta FC Featherweight title. Is that a fight you still want at some point down the road?

EG: Definitely.  That would be a huge fight for me.

CS: Your opponent at Inicta FC 6, Charmaine Tweet, is an accomplished kickboxer. How do you prepare for an opponent such as Tweet? What are you expecting out of the bout?

EG: I have been working a lot on my striking.  My striking has gotten so good.  I want to knock her out.

CS: On the subject of training camp, what is a typical day during camp for you? How do you maintain your motivation throughout camp?

EG: I train every day in the morning and night.  Depending on the day depends on what I train on.  In Brazil I came from nothing- very very poor.  My motivation is to do better for me and my family.

CS: For an international fight such as this one, what is your travel schedule like coming from Brazil?

EG: I live in Coconut Creek FL so no international travel for me!

CS: Invicta goes to great lengths to make sure their fighters only have to concentrate on their fights, going so far as to bring in someone just to braid athlete’s hair before the fight. What do things like that do for your performance in the cage?

EG:The more my mind can only think of the fight- the better prepared I am.

CS: What is your mindset on fight night? Any routines or superstitions?

EG:I get very aggressive.  Ready to knock someone out.  I think only of the knockout.

CS: When you are in the cage, what do you expect from your corners? Do you allow all your corners to coach, or do you have a main voice that you look to?

EG: I try and listen to everything they tell me so I will do better in the fight.

CS: Outside of preparation for your fights, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?

EG: I watch a lot when I can.  I love MMA.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

EG:My coaches at ATT, Mike Rodriguez, Ricardo Liborio.

EG: My management team at ML Management and Tina Vidal-Smith.

EG: And my sponsors:  Bas Rutten, Dogs Forever Forever Dogs, Fight Chix, MMA Owl, MMA Overload, and Faction Mouthguards.

Vote

FIGHTING WORDS WITH EDIANE GOMES

/in /by

Submission machine and two time Invicta FC veteran Ediane Gomes will step into the cage with Cris “Cyborg” Santos on April 5th at Invicta FC 5.

Gomes focuses her entire life and energy on improving her abilities in the cage, and is will allow nothing to distract her from besting Cyborg for a shot at the Invicta FC Featherweight title. Boasting a 10-2 record, including 7 wins via submission, will look to shock the world and Cyborg on April 5th in Kansas City.

Corey Smith: In your home country of Brazil, there is no such thing as amateur MMA when you entered the sport. How do you think that has aided you in your career? Do you see any downside to not being able to take a few amateur fights before turning pro?

Ediane Gomes: I think it is great that fighters are able to gain a lot of experience by fighting amateur now.  It gives you time to learn in the cage, and learn from your mistakes without it really counting against you.  I just had to go in there and do it.  I’ve learned as I’ve gone along, but I’m in a really good place now with great coaches and a great management team.

CS: On a similar subject, you have spoken about some women pad their records with easy fights, and also that some are afraid to fight you. Where do you think the line is between being experienced and ready to face an opponent such as yourself and being afraid to?

EG: I think you have to have similar level of experience and training and number of fights.  Otherwise it is not a fair fight, but if you have that then you should be willing to challenge yourself and want to face the best.

CS: At American Top Team, you have found it hard to find female training partners. Jessica Aguilar and Tecia Torres train out of ATT, but are both below your weight class. What are the benefits and challenges of training with a male athlete?

EG: I like to train with the men.  It makes me stronger and better.  I have to push myself more to compete with them and that makes me a better fighter.

CS: Several years ago, you were Ronda Rousey’s first professional MMA opponent. You took the fight on 10 days notice, and had to drop 30 pounds in order to do so. Is that something that you would do again under the right circumstances?

EG: I would love to fight Ronda again given proper notice and time to lose weight.  I think the fight would go differently.

CS: On the subject of weight, you have stated your desire to fight at 135lbs, but currently are fighting at 145 due to the depth of talent in Invicta at that weight class. Do you still want to drop to 135 at some point in the future?

EG: I do.  I think it is a better weight class for me.  Some of the girls I am fighting now are bigger and taller than me.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 5, is perhaps the most feared woman in MMA, Cris “Cyborg” Santos. You were quoted in October of last year saying you would love to be her first fight back from suspension. With the power to see the future like that, what do you expect from your bout with Cyborg?

EG: I expect it to be a difficult fight for both of us.  I don’t think she has ever fought anyone like me before.  I think I will surprise her.

CS: What has your experience been like fighting for Invicta so far?

EG: I love Invicta!  They have been so good to me and the female talent there is amazing!

CS: What do you do to unwind after a long day of training camp? When you aren’t in camp, what types of activities do you enjoy?

EG: I train all the time and I train really hard.  That is all I am focused on right now because in Brazil I came from nothing.  I don’t think about anything but fighting and winning.

CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest part of MMA. Aside from that, what do you consider the hardest part?

EG: You have to win and that is not always easy.

CS: Lastly, MMA is equally a team sports as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

EG: I would like to thank my sponsors- Poundout, Bas Rutten, Fight Chix, Precision Nutrition, Integrated Lab Technologies, my manager Tina Vidal-Smith at ML Management, and my coaches at American Top Team.