Ulysses Gomez signed to Pandemonium Fights’ burgeoning flyweight division

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UFC vet and former Tachi Palace Flyweight and Bantamweight champ Ulysses “Useless” Gomez (9-4) has signed a three-fight deal with Southern California-based mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion Pandemonium Fights.

Gomez first made the announcement on MMAJunkie Radio on Friday. ProMMAnow.com (www.prommanow.com) has since spoke with Gomez and Pandemonium Fights promoter Craig Zimmerman about the signing.

Following back-to-back submission wins at Bantamweight in 2011 in the now defunct Tachi Palace Fights organization, Gomez was picked up for the UFC’s new flyweight division.

However, after a first round KO loss to John Moraga at UFC on FOX 4 last August, and a unanimous decision loss to Phil Harris at UFC on FUEL TV 7 in London in February, Gomez was let go from the UFC along with 15 other fighters.

Gomez has been detailing the experience of his bout with Harris and subsequent UFC release in a four-part blog series with ProMMAnow.com that Gomez fans will definitely want to check out.

Coincidentally, Zimmerman also writes a blog for ProMMAnow.com, Pandemonium Blog, that gives MMA fans a look at the sport through the eyes of a promoter.

Zimmerman explained how this deal with Gomez came together. “I work regularly with Uly’s manager (Jason House of Iridium Sport Agency) and we talked about Uly fighting in the Pandemonium Flyweight Tournament back in August 2012 but Uly got signed to the UFC,” Zimmerman said.

“When Uly got cut, I immediately contacted Jason and made an offer knowing that Uly would be in demand. After sorting out all of the offers, he signed with MEZ Sports Pandemonium Fights. I know that Jason and Uly saw the value that we bring to fighters and our commitments to flyweights. With Tachi no longer promoting fights, MEZ Sports Pandemonium Fights wants to be the premier MMA organization in the state of California with a strong flyweight division.”

Gomez explained why signing with Pandemonium Fights was the right move for him at this time. “I got lots of great offers from tons of promotions but ultimately Pandemonium was what I was looking for,” Gomez said. “It’s a three-fight deal which allows me to stay busy which is what I want. It’s not an exclusive contract per say so when the UFC calls I will be able to fight for them. I’m really happy with the contract and I can’t wait to fight for them. I always wanted to fight in Vegas but So Cal is the next best thing.”

Although Gomez has done very well and held titles in two weight divisions (135 and 125), he will be fighting at 125-pounds for Pandemonium and plans to make his debut in June at Pandemonium IX. As far as potential opponents, nothing is set in stone as of now, but there is apparently one fighter out there Gomez has his eye on.

“Well here’s the thing, I was supposed to fight this kid named Adam Rothweiler last year at Tachi Palace but I had to pull out because I got staph,” Gomez said. “Ever since then he’s been running his mouth so I wouldn’t mind shutting him up.”

Zimmerman has been scouting Gomez since mid-2012. “Uly is the right fit for Pandemonium because he is an elite fighter who leaves it all in the ring/cage when he fights,” he said. “He puts on fan friendly fights that people want to see. He and his team at Iridium (Jason House and Jeremy Luchau) are the utmost professionals and are the type of fighter and team that Pandemonium Fights will align itself with on a long term basis knowing that we expect the UFC to call him back.”

We also asked Zimmerman about a potential first fight  for Gomez. “None yet but I have already been contacted by some possible opponents (less than an hour after the signing was announced) and I invite all would-be opponents to contact me,” he said.

“Don’t forget we have our inaugural Flyweight championship fight between Steve Swanson (Cub’s brother) and Kana Hyatt on March 23, 2013, on Pandemonium VIII,” Zimmerman added. “We have three other flyweight fights that night including one featuring Ivan Lopez whose only loss was to Dominick Cruz in the WEC. I expect that there won’t be a shortage of opponents.”
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