Gomes Puts Bantamweight Division on Blast After 17 Months Inactivity with Invicta
In a move that has everyone in the small world of women’s mixed martial arts talking, Brazilian fighter Ediane “India” Gomes made a bold proclamation on her Facebook yesterday:
“Just when you thought it was safe in Women’s MMA I AM BACK!!! Since everyone in the Featherweight division including Invicta Champion Cris Cyborg is hiding, I will be dropping to 135 pounds and putting Holly Holm and the entire Bantweight division on notice! Holly, I understand you’re having problems finding a fight and I am right here, my manager’s phone works! Don’t waste your time trying to fight Cyborg she will duck you just like she is ducking me, but if you are scared go ahead and go back to boxing. I wouldn’t want to end your career in one punch! Anyone in the 135 want to fight me you know where I am!”
The statement indicates that Gomes, based out of American Top Team in Coconut Creek, FL, will be dropping from Featherweight to Bantamweight to see some action. It appears that Gomes has become frustrated of late with inactivity. Her last appearance in the cage was at Invicta FC 4 on January 5, 2013. She has recently pleaded with Invicta to announce a date for Invicta FC 8, where it was expected that India would face Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino for the Featherweight championship. From Gomes’ Facebook on May 16, 2014 (just last week):
“INVICTA . Damm it . I cant wait to fight with cyborg. Wheres the date??? One year and a half without fighting and i will have to fight with the best. Thats what.im talking about.. The rest is rest.!! Date.date.date.pleaseeeeeeee!!! Waiting sucks.”
Fans have also waited anxiously since the first of the year for an official announcement about the next Invicta, but have been met with silence. According to one source who has allegedly spoken with Shannon Knapp, Invicta FC President, several times by phone, Invicta’s future is on hold in the hands of an apparent “broadcast partner.” The delay involves possible legal issues over a television agreement for Invicta, the all-female promotion based out of Kansas City.
Gomes (10-2 with losses to Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes) and Justino (12-1) were scheduled to fight at Invicta FC 5 in April, 2013, but Gomes had to withdraw due to injury. Invicta FC 6 in July, 2013, saw Cyborg headlining in a title win over Marloes Coenen via Round 4 TKO.
On October 11, 2013, Ediane Gomes issued this statement via Facebook:
“2013 Wasn’t really good for me.. except love.. meeting the love of my life. But I know 2014 will be a lot better..Good things are coming. I am just going to train harder and get ready. I was waiting to fight on Invicta right now Dec 7th, but unfortunately I am not. I received a message from Invicta saying there are good things coming on my way. jUST GOT to be a lil patience right now.. Im not a coward… I NEVER RUN. I FIGHT WHOEMEVER… I fight for war. I am going to do what people want me to do. Thank u god.. thank u coaches.. THank you my love.. my girl thank you so much everyone. Really soon there will be a WAR.. and Im going to be ready for it.. and get what it mines. God gave me a gift.. talent and my talent is FIGHTING. It is what it is. I love what I do. WARRR 2014.!! Heading # 1!”
Invicta FC 7 passed on December 7, 2013; there was indeed no Gomes/Cyborg meeting, and both fighters have since been playing the waiting game. Cyborg did have a pro Muay Thai bout, a loss against Jorina Baars, at Lion Fight 14 on March 28, 2014.
In light of the fact that the UFC holds the bulk of the top bantamweights in the world and activity has been steady, Justino and Gomes have found themselves in an awkward predicament. It’s no secret that both Cyborg and Holly Holm have negotiated to enter the busy bantamweight division of the UFC. And, there are other promotions seemingly fit to offer a high-profile female bout, most notably World Series of Fighting (WSOF), Resurrection Fighting Alliance (RFA), Xtreme Fighting Championships (XFC), and possibly even Holm’s current home, Legacy Fighting Championship.
While Gomes has been relatively quiet throughout the past year-long period, the silence is broken, and we now know very definitively where she stands. She is ready to fight. If a drop to 135 is the path, India is ready to take it. She’s put out the call; now, who will answer?
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