May 13, 2011– This Saturday night will feature a special treat for local fight fans as Women’s MMA returns to Houston at the Legacy Amateur Series.
The bout on tap, between Tina Gomez and Monica Earnshaw, will be the city’s second such bout in 2011 since Jordan Gaza and Kristy Kester put on a fiery display of grit and tenacity during their own fight this past February at the the House of Blues.
As evident by the Kester/Gaza fight, and other recent bouts nationally featuring top female fighters Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, Marloes Coenen, Tara Larosa, and more, MMA action featuring the fairer sex have shown fans that women have much to offer when it comes to delivering excitement in the cage.
“For the fans who haven’t seen a female fight, it’s definitely a sight to see,” says Tina Gomez, one half of Saturday’s featured women’s bout. “We don’t do it because we’re forced to or because we’re naturally good at it. We do it because we want to, have the passion, and really want to kick some butt. That’s how I see it.”
Feeling pretty good heading into Saturday’s bout, Tina has been training in Muay Thai, Boxing, and other arts for some time now, an advantage which allows her to calmly deal with stresses of knowing she will be stepping into the cage this weekend.
“I love to fight,” declares Tina. “I got started because I used to have a bad temper growing up and this was the best way to get it all out. The temper is well under control now.”
For her part, Gomez’s Legacy opponent, Monica Earnshaw, is also feeling good heading into the bout set for the Houston Arena Theater. She too, credits her extensive preparation in training with helping her deal with the anxiety of performing once the cage doors are locked shut.
“So far I am a lot less nervous than I expected to be,” Monica remarks. “I assume it’s because I am seeing good results in practice. We have trained for everything but paid special attention to my stand up since she comes from a boxing gym. Not only have I physically prepped but I have also taken time to visualize victory. Bottom line, I’m feeling really confident but I don’t doubt my opponent’s abilities.”
Continuing on, Earnshaw offered some insight on how she sees the fight playing out in her head, which is everywhere.
“Even though I know nothing about her, I am not afraid to stand up with her or go to the ground. I don’t know how she or myself will react in the cage under pressure but I do know that if I get on top of her it’s hard to get me off and I have heavy hands for a chick! I don’t know how this fight will end but I do know that I love fighting. I always saw myself doing something like this since I was really young. I can’t wait to fight my heart out.”
When asked how she foresaw this bout going in her own mind, Tina echoed her opponent’s sentiments.
“In my mind I see my opponent just trying to take me to the ground but I’ll be able to hold my own in any situation. I want to take my career as far as I possibly can. This is my passion and I’m willing to do what it takes to get the victory!”
Acknowledgements
I dont really have much else to say other than “I am ready”. I would like to thank my coaches at SBA, especially Frank Adame for taking the time to train me. I know I can be a handful at times! – Tina Gomez
I would like to thank all my friends and family for their support. I would also like to thank my training partners and coaches at Bushi Ban, specifically Gerzan Chaw because I almost gave up the idea of stepping into the cage because of my anxiety issues but Gerzan constantly told me that he believed he would see me in that cage one day and finally I believed him too. I want to also thank Justin Murray for breaking my nose because now I know I can take a hard hit. Last but not least without my partner Mandy I would not be here she has supported me the entire way she has even been cutting weight with me. – Monica Earnshaw
Photo Gallery
TXMMA’s Coverage of the March 14th Legacy Amateur series
- Interview – Levi West Looking for his First Legacy Amateur Title this Saturday! – here
- Interview – Legacy Bantamweight Title Contender Manny “el Animal” Lozoya – here
- Interview – Silverback’s David Armas; Fighting this Saturday for Legacy Amateur Bantamweight Belt! – here
- Legacy Amateur Series – May 14th Updated Fight Card for Houston! – here
