Posts

Invicta FC 26 Results: Maia Outlasts Niedźwiedź, Dern Submits Medeiros

Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, Dec. 8, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź from the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Jennifer Maia is still the Invicta flyweight champion after a five-round war with Poland’s Aga Niedźwiedź. The Brazilian rocked Niedźwiedź early with a right hand that caused the right cheek of the challenger to swell. Niedźwiedź was able to get the fight to the canvas late in the opening round, but Maia was active from her back. It was Niedźwiedź who did the damage in round two, rocking Maia with punches. The champion survived and implemented her strong clinch game. Maia relentlessly pinned Niedźwiedź to the fence and weighed on her. The grueling action took its toll on Niedźwiedź, as Maia turned up her output in the championship rounds. Both fighters bled from their noses in the final round, but Maia’s volume was the difference as all three judges rewarded her efforts.

Mackenzie Dern stayed undefeated in her Invicta debut, submitting former strawweight title challenger Kaline Medeiros in the third round. Dern found success with her overhand right throughout the fight, rocking Medeiros on several occasions. A mouse formed under the left eye of Medeiros from the heavy shots. The fight found the ground in round two and Dern looked for a toe hold before passing to mount and scoring with ground and pound. Most of the third stanza took place on the feet, but Dern went for the finish in the bout’s final minute. She earned a trip takedown, passed to mount and then earned a tap from an armbar with just seconds remaining in the fight.

A pair of Brazilians delivered one of the bloodiest fights in Invicta history as Janaisa Morandin and Kinberly Novaes went to war for three rounds. The two immediately went to the clinch and began delivering elbows and knees. When they did separate, it was Morandin who scored with big punches. The second round saw Morandin severely damage the nose of Novaes and blood began to pour all over both fighters. The assault by Morandin continued throughout the remainder of the fight as she pressed forward and battered Novaes. Novaes survived to the final horn, but Morandin swept the scorecards.

Two-time flyweight title challenger Vanessa Porto survived an early storm from UFC veteran Milana Dudieva to earn a third-round TKO victory. Porto’s kicking arsenal was on display in the opening stanza, until Dudieva caught her with a punch behind the ear. Porto looked for a takedown, but Dudieva was able to secure the scarf-hold position and eventually took her back. She rained punches, but Porto survived and moved to top position. Round two featured more of Porto’s stand-up attack, as she chewed up the lead leg of Dudieva with kicks. In the final frame, Porto shifted her strikes to the body of Dudieva, backing her against the fence. An onslaught of punches and kicks to the midsection sent Dudieva to the canvas, handing Porto the TKO win.

Brazil’s Virna Jandiroba remained undefeated and sent a message to the rest of the strawweight division, submitting Amy Montenegro inside the first round. Jandiroba peppered Montenegro with body kicks before changing levels and securing a takedown. She smoothly transitioned from side control to mount before locking up the arm of Montenegro and earning the victory.

Former atomweight title challenger Amber Brown got back in the win column with a lightning-fast submission win over Tessa Simpson. Brown looked to get the fight to the ground right off the bat, but Simpson was able to scramble to top position. Brown slapped on an armbar from her back, forcing Simpson to defend and eventually tap less than a minute into the fight.

In a battle of flyweight striking stalwarts, Mexico’s Karina Rodríguez used crisp boxing and volume to edge out Christine Ferea on the scorecards. Ferea’s kicking game was the story early in the fight, but Rodríguez used the clinch to score knees and settle into range. Rodríguez fired combination after combination, but Ferea marched forward throughout the three-round affair. The pair traded until the final bell, but it was Rodríguez who had her hand raised.

Kicking off the night, strawweight Kay Hansen was successful in her professional debut, submitting fellow newcomer Emilee Prince by armbar. Hansen initiated the clinch and took the fight to the mat. She passed to mount, attacked the left arm of Prince and coerced the tap.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Aga Niedźwiedź by unanimous decision (49-46 x3) – for flyweight title
Mackenzie Dern def. Kaline Medeiros by submission (armbar). Round 3, 4:45
Janaisa Morandin def. Kinberly Novaes by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Vanessa Porto def. Milana Dudieva by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 3:02
Virna Jandiroba def. Amy Montenegro by submission (armbar). Round 1, 2:50
Amber Brown def. Tessa Simpson by submission (armbar). Round 1, 0:50
Karina Rodríguez def. Christine Ferea by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kay Hansen def. Emilee Prince by submission (armbar). Round 1, 1:23


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.

Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź Official Weigh-in Results

Kansas City, Mo. — On Thursday, Dec. 7, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź. The event takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, Dec. 8, and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

In the night’s main event, flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) will defend her 125-pound title against undefeated Polish fighter Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0). Brazil’s Maia is coming off back-to-back “Fight of the Year” contenders against Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto. Niedźwiedź, meanwhile, kept her perfect record intact in May, besting the aforementioned Porto in the Invicta FC 23 main event.

The co-main event features former strawweight title challenger Kaline Medeiros (8-5) and undefeated grappling stalwart Mackenzie Dern (4-0).

Below are the results of the event’s weigh-ins.

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (123.3) vs. Aga Niedźwiedź (124.6)
Strawweight: Kaline Medeiros (115.8) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115.9)
Strawweight: Janaisa Morandin (115.4) vs. Kinberly Novaes (121.8)*
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (127.6)* vs. Milana Dudieva (125.6)
Strawweight: Amy Montenegro (117.6)* vs. Virna Jandiroba (114.3)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (106.3)* vs. Tessa Simpson (105.4)
Flyweight: Christine Ferea (125.7) vs. Karina Rodríguez (124.7)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (114.4) vs. Emilee Prince (115.5)

* – Novaes, Porto, Montenegro and Brown were each fined 25 percent of their fight purses for missing weight


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.

Kinberly Novaes Replaces MIZUKI, Invicta FC 26 Fight Card Complete

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 26 has undergone a change to its co-main event and added an eighth bout.

Japanese strawweight MIZUKI (12-4) has been forced off the card and Brazilian Kinberly Novaes (9-3) will step in to face her countrywoman Janaisa Morandin (9-1). The 26-year-old Novaes is a former Pancrase title challenger who competes out of Joinville, Santa Catarina, Brazil. Four of her nine career victories have come via strikes.

As a result of the change, the strawweight contest between former title challenger Kaline Medeiros (8-5) and undefeated grappling stalwart Mackenzie Dern (4-0) has been elevated to co-main event status.

Completing the fight card will be a strawweight match-up between promotional newcomers Kay Hansen (0-0) and Emilee Prince (0-0). Both fighters will be making their professional debuts.

Invicta FC 26 takes place Friday, Dec. 8, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. It will be headlined by a flyweight title clash between champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) and undefeated Polish fighter Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0).

The complete fight card for Invicta FC 26 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) vs. Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0)
Strawweight: Kaline Medeiros (8-5) vs. Mackenzie Dern (4-0)
Strawweight: Janaisa Morandin (9-1) vs. Kinberly Novaes (9-3)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-8) vs. Milana Dudieva (11-6)
Strawweight: Amy Montenegro (8-2) vs. Virna Jandiroba (11-0)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (6-4) vs. Tessa Simpson (5-2)
Flyweight: Christine Ferea (1-1) vs. Karina Rodríguez (5-2)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (0-0) vs. Emilee Prince (0-0)

Tickets for the event are on sale now via Tickeyfly.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.

Invicta FC 26 Adds Kaline Medeiros vs. Mackenzie Dern

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships 26 has added another strawweight match-up.

Former title challenger Kaline “The Dark Angel” Medeiros (8-5) returns to the Invicta cage to welcome undefeated grappling ace Mackenzie Dern (4-0) to the promotion.

The Brazilian Medeiros — who now lives and trains in Massachusetts — will aim to rebound from a five-round, back-and-forth battle at Invicta FC 20 against then-champion Angela Hill. Prior to that, she had won five straight fights, including two under the Invicta banner.

Dern will enter the contest having won her first four professional bouts, with two coming via first-round submissions. The 24-year-old is one of the most decorated Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu practitioners to transition to MMA, having claimed an Abu Dhabi openweight championship as a black belt.

Invicta FC 26 takes place Friday, Dec. 8, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. It will be headlined by a flyweight title clash between champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) and undefeated Polish fighter Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0).

The current fight card for Invicta FC 26 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) vs. Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0)
Strawweight: MIZUKI (12-4) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-1)
Strawweight: Kaline Medeiros (8-5) vs. Mackenzie Dern (4-0)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-8) vs. Milana Dudieva (11-6)
Strawweight: Amy Montenegro (8-2) vs. Virna Jandiroba (11-0)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (6-4) vs. Tessa Simpson (5-2)
Flyweight: Christine Ferea (1-1) vs. Karina Rodríguez (5-2)

Tickets for the event are on sale now via Tickeyfly.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.

Milana Dudieva Replaces Jessica-Rose Clark, Three Bouts Join Invicta FC 26 Fight Card

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 26 has undergone a change to one of the previously announced match-ups and added three new bouts.

Flyweight Jessica-Rose “Jessy Jess” Clark has been pulled from her match-up with former title challenger Vanessa Porto (18-8). Stepping in to face the Brazilian will be UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (11-6).

Undefeated Brazilian strawweight Virna Jandiroba (11-0) will make her promotional debut against returning veteran Amy Montenegro (8-2). Jandiroba enters the contest having won nine of her 11 career bouts via submission. Montenegro is coming off a “Fight of Year” contender against Celine Haga at Invicta FC 21 earlier this year.

In the atomweight division, former title challenger Amber Brown (6-4) tangles with Texan Tessa Simpson (5-2). Both fighters are eager to work back into title contention in the sport’s deepest 105-pound division.

Finally, flyweight knockout artists Karina Rodríguez (5-2) and Christine Ferea (1-1) will look to add to their respective highlight reels. Mexico’s Rodríguez put away Brazilian Bárbara Acioly at Invicta FC 24, while Ferea engaged in a three-round war with kickboxing champion Tiffany Van Soest at Invicta FC 23.

Invicta FC 26 takes place Friday, Dec. 8, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. It will be headlined by a flyweight title clash between champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) and undefeated Polish fighter Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0).

The current fight card for Invicta FC 26 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) vs. Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0)
Strawweight: MIZUKI (12-4) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-1)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-8) vs. Milana Dudieva (11-6)
Strawweight: Amy Montenegro (8-2) vs. Virna Jandiroba (11-0)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (6-4) vs. Tessa Simpson (5-2)
Flyweight: Christine Ferea (1-1) vs. Karina Rodríguez (5-2)

Tickets for the event are on sale now via Tickeyfly.com. Additional bouts for the event will be announced at a later date.


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.

Jennifer Maia vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź Headlines Invicta FC 26

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships will return to action on Friday, Dec. 8, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) will defend her 125-pound title against undefeated Polish fighter Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (10-0). Brazil’s Maia is coming off back-to-back “Fight of the Year” contenders against Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto. Niedźwiedź, meanwhile, kept her perfect record intact in May, besting the aforementioned Porto in the Invicta FC 23 main event.

The co-main event features the return of Japan’s MIZUKI (12-4) against Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (9-1). The 23-year-old MIZUKI enters the contest having won four straight, including a second-round armbar finish of Lynn Alvarez in her most recent Invicta appearance. Morandin thrilled in an action-packed bout at Invicta FC 25, taking home “Fight of the Night” honors for her battle with former champion Livia Renata Souza.

Also on the card, former flyweight title challenger Vanessa Porto (18-8) takes on Australia’s Jessica-Rose “Jessy Jess” Clark (7-4, 1 NC).

The current fight card for Invicta FC 26 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (10-0)
Strawweight: MIZUKI (12-4) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-1)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-8) vs. Jessica-Rose Clark (7-4, 1 NC)

Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. CT via Tickeyfly.com. Additional bouts for the event will be announced at a later date.


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.