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DeCoursey vs. Dos Santos Title Showdown Headlines Invicta FC 53 in Denver

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DENVER — The next action-packed fight card from Invicta Fighting Championships has taken shape. The world’s premier organization for women athletes returns on Wednesday, May 3 for Invicta FC 53: DeCoursey vs. Dos Santos from Reelworks Denver.

In the night’s headliner, recently crowned atomweight champion “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (6-3) puts her strap on the line opposite Brazil’s Rayanne dos Santos (13-6). New York’s DeCoursey cemented herself atop the 105-pound division with a pair of dominant first-round finishes. After crushing Lindsey VanZandt in 61 seconds at Invicta FC 47, DeCoursey dethroned Jéssica Delboni at Invicta FC 49 to capture gold. The 27-year-old Dos Santos made a quick impression on the division in January, besting veteran Katie Saull to earn her sixth victory in her last seven bouts and establish herself as the No. 1 contender.

The co-main event will take place in the bantamweight division as former title challenger “Big Bad” Olga Rubin (8-3) collides with Denver native “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (5-1). Both fighters were victorious at Invicta FC 51 in January, with Rubin topping Serena DeJesus and Guthrie besting Auttumn Norton, both via decision.

Also on the card, former atomweight queen Jéssica Delboni (12-4) moves up to strawweight against UFC veteran “Dynamite” Danielle Taylor (11-8), São Paulo native Monique Adriane (5-2) welcomes undefeated Mexican atomweight Nicole Geraldo (5-0) to the promotion, flyweight Liana “Li” Pirosin (8-5) takes on striking specialist “The Piece” Elise Pone (2-1), Brazilian Elisandra “Lili” Ferreira (5-2) faces off with Flor “Compean” Hernandez (4-0) of Mexico in an atomweight match-up, undefeated Colorado product Natalie Salcedo (1-0) meets Brazil’s Dayane Cristine (1-0) also at 105 pounds, and Colorado flyweight Ky “Kobra” Bennett (2-2) will take on a yet-to-be-determined opponent.

Invicta FC 53: DeCoursey vs. Dos Santos will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. The event will kick off at 8:30 p.m. ET/6:30 p.m. MT, with the night’s main card beginning at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. The main card will air live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, Fox Sports in Mexico, Globo’s Combate in Brazil, DirecTV across Latin America, Viaplay and Match TV in Europe and Star Times across Africa. Tickets to the event are on sale now through Eventbrite.

The current fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jillian DeCoursey vs. Rayanne dos Santos
Bantamweight: Olga Rubin vs. Claire Guthrie
Strawweight: Jéssica Delboni vs. Danielle Taylor
Atomweight: Monique Adriane vs. Nicole Geraldo
Flyweight: Liana Pirosin vs. Elise Pone
Atomweight: Elisandra “Lili” Ferreira vs. Flor Hernandez
Atomweight: Natalie Salcedo vs. Dayane Cristine
Flyweight: Ky Bennett vs. TBD

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City, Cleveland and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC 49 Results: DeCoursey Dethrones Delboni with First-Round Submission

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OKLAHOMA CITY — On Wednesday, Sept. 28, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 49: Delboni vs. DeCoursey from the Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton, Okla.

There’s a new atomweight champion as Jillian DeCoursey dethroned Brazilian Jéssica Delboni in the first round. The two atomweights gauged one another’s timing and range in the fight’s opening minutes. Delboni ripped multiple low kicks to the lead leg of DeCoursey. The Brazilian flurried forward and pushed DeCoursey to the fence. When Delboni dropped down for a takedown, DeCoursey capitalized and moved to mount in the scramble. She quickly took Delboni’s back and sunk in the fight-finishing rear-naked choke. With the victory, DeCoursey became the first atomweight fighter to have made her professional debut in the Invicta cage — at Invicta FC 25 in 2017 — and then capture an Invicta title.

Ketlen Souza made a case for a flyweight title shot with a decision win over veteran Maiju Suotama in the night’s co-feature. Souza aimed for Suotama’s chin early as the Finnish fighter kept her chin high. They traded leg kick before Suotama tried to clinch. Souza showcased great takedown defense to stay upright. She landed a spinning heel kick to the stomach of Suotama. Soon after, Suotama changed levels and latched onto a single leg. Souza again stayed on her feet. She closed the round with a flying knee attempt and a wheel kick from range. Souza was very aggressive in round two, firing a variety of strikes at range. Suotama ate the shots and timed another takedown attempt, but could not muscle the Brazilian to the floor. Souza’s speed and mix of attacks kept Suotama guessing. The left eye of Suotama swelled from the repeated shots of Souza. A heavy body kick from Souza found the liver of Suotama to begin the final round. Suotama dropped her arm to cover the spot and Souza followed up with power punches. Souza sought a finish, looking for flashy technique after technique. Suotama was game, absorbing the damage throughout. The judges were in unison, awarding Souza with a clear decision win.

Brazilian newcomer Valesca Machado made a statement in the strawweight division, outworking veteran Liz Tracy over the course of three rounds. Tracy came out with erratic movement, which allowed her to land some heavy low kicks. Machado remained patient and looked to find her timing. Tracy tried to clinch, but Machado shrugged her off. As the round progressed, Machado began to land with regularity. Tracy’s pace slowed and the power shots from Machado connected to the body and chin. In round two, Machado came forward more. The right hands from the Brazilian damaged the face of Tracy. Tracy was able to muscle Machado to the ground and tried to take her back. Machado scrambled to top position and returned to her feet. The last five minutes opened with an overhand right from Machado flush to Tracy’s chin. She then found a home for her right hand over and over before delivering an uppercut as Tracy marched into range. Tracy never stopped her advance, but Machado lit her up late in the fight with combinations. The judges were called upon and the newcomer snapped Tracy’s winning streak.

Utah flyweight Kaytlin Neil gave fellow Ultimate Fighter castmate Hannah Guy a rude welcome to the Invicta cage. Neil utilized her reach advantage early and often, digging teep kicks to the body of Guy. Guy looked to flurry forward, but ate an onslaught of punches. Guy latched onto a leg and tried to bring the fight to the mat, but Neil took her back in the scramble. Late in the round, Neil hurt Guy badly with a combination and followed her to the mat. She could not find the finish before the round expired. The kicks to the body from Neil continued to batter the body of Guy. Guy tried to hide her agony along the fence, but Neil pounced with a barrage of punches. Somehow Guy dug deep and looked for a takedown, giving her enough time to recover and make it to her stool. Guy’s struggles to get into the pocket continued in round three. She latched onto Neil’s leg, but couldn’t secure a takedown. Neil’s striking assault was relentless as she kept punishing Guy at range. It was a clean sweep on the scorecards for Neil after the dominant performance.

UFC veteran Poliana Botelho made her promotional debut opposite Helen Peralta in a flyweight contest. Botelho threw a head kick that Peralta walked through and closed the distance. From there, the pair clinched along the cage and the round became a war of attrition. They jostled for position and frequently spun one another’s back to the fence. Each fighter delivered knees and short punches, but neither could find an advantage. Round two started similarly, as Peralta powered Botelho to the cage and secured a body lock. As she tried to muscle the Brazilian to the canvas, Botelho scored with a great toss to earn top position. It was short lived as Peralta was able to get back to her feet. They continued to engage in a clinch battle before Botelho earned another takedown to close the round. The over-under position continued to be where the majority of the fight took place in the final frame. When they did separate, Peralta delivered a heavy liver shot, but Botelho responded with a big knee. Her knees would land with frequency late in the fight and that proved to be the difference as Botelho claimed the hard-fought decision win.

Mexico’s Montserrat Rendon eked out a close split decision win over bantamweight veteran Brittney Cloudy in her Invicta debut. Rendon marched forward to start the bout, as she looked to close range. Cloudy showcased excellent footwork to stay on the outside and counter Rendon. Rendon tried to clinch, but Cloudy brushed her aside. That would be the story of the round, as Cloudy’s movement frustrated Rendon throughout. It was more of the same in round two, as Cloudy continued to score from range while Rendon pushed forward aggressively. A heavy left knee from Cloudy found the midsection of Rendon and backed her up for the first time. The Mexican fighter wowed the crowd with a spinning backfist late in the round. Cloudy continued to throw with volume in the third stanza. Rendon became desperate late, trying to get Cloudy to the ground. Her first takedown did not come until 30 seconds were left in the fight. However, that was enough to convince two of the judges at cageside to hand her the victory.

The night kicked off in the strawweight division as Ireland’s Shauna Bannon kept her perfect record intact with an impressive win over Mexico’s Nadia Vera. Bannon’s karate background was on display early as she peppered Vera with right hands. She connected with a lead-leg head kick and closed the distance. Vera looked to bring the fight to the mat and ended up on top. She dropped short shots from full guard, but was forced to defend an armbar attempt from Bannon. Vera was able to escape, but fell into a deep triangle from the Irish fighter. Vera did not panic, but needed the bell to survive the round. In the second, Bannon landed her right hand at will. Vera baited her into boxing range and looked to brawl. Bannon was able to muscle her way to the top position and looked to mount. She gave up the position to attempt another triangle choke from her back. Vera again was saved by the horn. The Mexican prospect was aggressive to open the final frame, charging forward and pinning Bannon to the fence. She put Bannon on her back and the two traded a flurry of punches on the canvas. Bannon returned to her feet late in the round and went for a finish, but Vera’s toughness helped her see the scorecards. There was no doubt from the judges, who rewarded Bannon for her efforts.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jillian DeCoursey def. Jéssica Delboni by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 4:49 – for atomweight title
Ketlen Souza def. Maiju Suotama by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Valesca Machado def. Liz Tracy by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Kaytlin Neil def. Hannah Guy by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-27, 30-27)
Poliana Botelho def. Helen Peralta by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Montserrat Rendon def. Brittney Cloudy by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Shauna Bannon def. Nadia Vera by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City, Cleveland and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC 49: Delboni vs. DeCoursey Official Weigh-in Results

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OKLAHOMA CITY — On Tuesday, Sept. 27, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 49: Delboni vs. DeCoursey, which takes place Wednesday, Sept. 28 from the Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton, Okla.

In the night’s headliner, atomweight champion Jéssica Delboni (12-3) makes the first defense of her 105-pound title against “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (5-3). Brazil’s Delboni capitalized on her Phoenix Tournament victory to dethrone Alesha Zappitella in dominant fashion at Invicta FC 45. New York’s DeCoursey earned No. 1 contender-status after a highlight-reel, 61-second knockout of Lindsey VanZandt at Invicta FC 47.

The event will be broadcast on AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Tickets to the event are on sale now through StubWire.

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

Atomweight Title: Jéssica Delboni (104.8) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (104.7)
Flyweight: Maiju Suotama (123) vs. Ketlen Souza (123)
Strawweight: Liz Tracy (115.9) vs. Valesca Machado (115.8)
Flyweight: Kaytlin Neil (125.5) vs. Hannah Guy (126)
Flyweight: Helen Peralta (125.9) vs. Poliana Botelho (125.4)
Bantamweight: Brittney Cloudy (135.6) vs. Montserrat Rendon (135)
Strawweight: Nadia Vera (115.2) vs. Shauna Bannon (115.4)

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City, Cleveland and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Atomweight Championship Bout Headlines Invicta FC’s Return to Oklahoma on Sept. 28

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — Invicta Fighting Championships is returning to Oklahoma on Wednesday, Sept. 28.

The event — which takes place from the Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton — will be headlined by atomweight champion Jéssica Delboni (12-3), who makes the first defense of her 105-pound title against “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (5-3). The Brazilian Delboni added to her championship collection in January, capitalizing on her Phoenix Tournament victory to dethrone then-champion Alesha Zappitella in dominant fashion at Invicta FC 45. New York’s DeCoursey emphatically made her case for a title shot with a highlight-reel, 61-second knockout of Lindsey VanZandt at Invicta FC 47.

In the night’s co-main event, Oklahoma’s own Kristina “Warhorse” Williams (6-3) looks to continue her ascension up the flyweight ranks when she meets newcomer Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3) of Brazil. Williams rides the momentum of three straight victories, including two straight in the Invicta cage. Souza also carries a three-fight winning streak into the match-up and has secured eight of her 11 career wins via knockout.

Also on the card, Liz “The Titan” Tracy (7-4) tries to make it three-in-a-row opposite Contender Series veteran Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (9-3) in a strawweight affair, a trio of flyweights fresh off The Ultimate Fighter compete when Utah’s Kaytlin “Katniss” Neil (5-4) meets Hannah “The Hurricane” Guy (4-1) and  Helen “Iansã” Peralta (5-2) aims to make it four straight victories under the Invicta banner when she welcomes seven-fight UFC veteran Poliana Botelho (8-5) to the promotion, “The Quiet Storm” Brittney Cloudy (4-4) collides with unbeaten Mexican bantamweight Montserrat “Monster” Rendon (4-0), and Mexico’s Nadia Vera (3-0-1) takes on fellow undefeated strawweight Shauna Bannon (2-0) of Ireland.

The event will be broadcast on AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, kicking off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT. Tickets to the event will go on sale Wednesday, Aug. 24 at 10 a.m. CT through StubWire.

The current fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jéssica Delboni vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Flyweight: Kristina Williams vs. Ketlen Souza
Strawweight: Liz Tracy vs. Valesca Machado
Flyweight: Kaytlin Neil vs. Hannah Guy
Flyweight: Helen Peralta vs. Poliana Botelho
Bantamweight: Brittney Cloudy vs. Montserrat Rendon
Strawweight: Nadia Vera vs. Shauna Bannon

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City, Cleveland and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Phoenix Tournament Atomweights Results: Delboni Earns Title Rematch After Three Wins in One Night

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Friday, June 11, Invicta FC hosted the fourth installment of its Phoenix Tournament from Memorial Hall in Kansas City. The event featured eight atomweight athletes competing for a shot at reigning Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella. Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights aired live on AXS TV in the U.S. and worldwide on Invicta FC’s YouTube Channel.

The tournament action kicked off with recent title challenger Jéssica Delboni against current champion Alesha Zappitella’s training partner Tabatha “Batgirl” Watkins, who was making her promotional debut. Watkins threw a variety of kicks to open the contest, but Delboni was able to catch one and power her to the mat. Watkins was aggressive from the bottom, attacking with an armbar. Delboni was patient and escaped the submission threat. From side control, Delboni rained punches and hammerfists. When the judges were called upon, it was Brazil’s Delboni who advanced to the semifinals.

In the second quarterfinal match-up New York native Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt squared off with Invicta newcomer Katie “Maquina Asesina” Perez. VanZandt attacked with kicks to start the bout, hurting Perez to the body. Perez sought a takedown, but ended up on her back. VanZandt allowed the fight to return to the feet. She stunned Perez with a series of left hands that forced her to shoot yet again. VanZandt sprawled, then took the back of Perez. VanZandt slapped on a triangle-armbar. Perez defended initially, but eventually was forced to succumb to the armbar as VanZandt moved to the next round.

Jillian “Lionheart” DeCoursey and Linda “F109” Mihalec met in a rematch of their Invicta FC 39 clash in the night’s third tournament pairing. The pair traded combinations early before DeCoursey caught a leg kick and earned a brief takedown. Mihalec sprung back to her feet and peppered DeCoursey with jabs and inside leg kicks. A big right hand from DeCoursey found its mark. The volume of Mihalec was the difference as she busted the nose of DeCoursey. The judges were split in their verdict, but it was Mihalec who got revenge and earned a trip to the semifinals.

The final quarterfinal bout featured the Invicta debut of Paulina “Firefox” Granados who took on Connecticut’s Marisa “Spider Monkey” Messer-Belenchia. The pace was fast and furious to start the contest as Messer-Belenchia barreled forward and secured the clinch. Granados was able to power into top position, but Messer-Belenchia swept and secured top position. She then transitioned to the back of Granados and looked for a rear-naked choke. Granados was able to defend and work back to her feet. Once back on the feet, both fighters went for broke, landing heavy punches. A right hand from Messer-Belenchia sent Granados to the mat at one point, but Granados was able to recover. The judges were again split in their scores, with Messer-Belenchia claiming the final slot in the semifinals.

In the lone tournament reserve bout, Samantha Seff edged fellow newcomer Kara Vislosky via split decision. Seff marched forward and latched onto Vislosky. She secured a single leg and laced it to bring the fight to the mat. Once on top, Seff was smothering. She stayed busy with short punches to keep Vislosky on her back. Eventually Vislosky was able to return to the feet, but she was unable to mount any significant offense. Seff’s grappling was the difference as she claimed the decision victory.

The semifinals opened with Lindsey VanZandt and Linda Mihalec after VanZandt was able to pick her opponent following her quarterfinal armbar finish. VanZandt was very aggressive, spamming high kicks from both sides to keep Mihalec at range. The variety of techniques made Mihalec tentative and it allowed VanZandt to unload with combinations. As the round progressed, VanZandt found more and more success. Mihalec was desperate for a takedown in the final minute, as she changed levels multiple times. VanZandt easily evaded the attempts and nearly landed a highlight-reel flying knee late in the frame. There was little doubt about the result as VanZandt swept the scorecards and advanced to the tournament final.

Jéssica Delboni inched one step closer to another title shot in the semifinals as she outworked Marisa Messer-Belenchia. Delboni was patient on the outside, landing heavy kicks to the lead leg of Messer-Belenchia. They took their toll as Messer-Belenchia was limited in her movement. Delboni was methodical in her combinations, preventing Messer-Belenchia from generating any striking output. The nose of Messer-Belenchia bled profusely from the steady shots from the Brazilian. Messer-Belenchia looked to clinch late, but it was too little, too late. Delboni punched her ticket to the final with the unanimous-decision win.

In the tournament final, Jéssica Delboni and Lindsey VanZandt faced off for a second time. The pair met at Invicta FC 36 with the Brazilian Delboni winning via split decision. This time, however, the stakes were much higher. The rematch began with Delboni marching forward, but VanZandt scored with strikes from range. Delboni flurried with combinations and backed VanZandt to the fence. VanZandt countered by attacking the body with kicks and punches. The second round was razor-close as both fighters landed with regularity. VanZandt did well to counter off the back foot, hurting Delboni to the body. In the last stanza, it was Delboni who dug deep and pushed the pace. She caught VanZandt with a series of punches along the cage that forced VanZandt to cover up. VanZandt sought a late takedown, but Delboni kept the fight upright. The judges were called upon for a final time and they rewarded Delboni for her efforts, setting up a title rematch with Zappitella.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jéssica Delboni def. Lindsey VanZandt by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) – atomweight tournament final
Jéssica Delboni def. Marisa Messer-Belenchia by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – atomweight tournament semifinal
Lindsey VanZandt def. Linda Mihalec by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – atomweight tournament semifinal
Samantha Seff def. Kara Vislosky by split decision (9-10, 10-9, 10-9) – atomweight tournament reserve bout
Marisa Messer-Belenchia def. Paulina Granados by split decision (10-9, 9-10, 10-9) – atomweight tournament quarterfinal
Linda Mihalec def. Jillian DeCoursey by split decision (9-10, 10-9, 10-9) – atomweight tournament quarterfinal
Lindsey VanZandt def. Katie Perez by submission (armbar). Round 1, 3:10 – atomweight tournament quarterfinal
Jéssica Delboni def. Tabatha Watkins by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – atomweight tournament quarterfinal

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a globally integrated multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights Official Weigh-in and Fan Voting Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Thursday, June 10, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights. The event takes place Friday, June 11, from Memorial Hall in Kansas City and airs live on AXS TV in the United States and will be available worldwide on Invicta FC’s YouTube Channel.

A shot at reigning Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella is on the line as the fastest-paced format in combat sports makes its return. For the first time in MMA history, online fan voting determined the match-ups for the quarterfinal stage of the tournament.

Recent title challenger Jéssica Delboni (10-3) opens her quest for another crack at gold against Zappitella’s training partner Tabatha “Batgirl” Watkins (3-3), who will make her promotional debut. New York native Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-4) will square off with Invicta newcomer Katie “Maquina Asesina” Perez (2-1). Jillian “Lionheart” DeCoursey (4-3) and Linda “F109” Mihalec (2-1) meet in a rematch of their Invicta FC 39 clash, which DeCoursey won via decision. Finally, Paulina “Firefox” Granados (4-4) steps into the Invicta cage for the first time against Connecticut’s Marisa “Spider Monkey” Messer-Belenchia (3-1).

Additionally, a tournament reserve match-up will take place between Kara Vislosky (1-1) and Samantha Seff (0-1).

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

Atomweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 4: Paulina Granados (105.9) vs. Marisa Messer-Belenchia (105.4)
Atomweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 3: Jillian DeCoursey (105.5) vs. Linda Mihalec (105.9)
Atomweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 2: Lindsey VanZandt (105.8) vs. Katie Perez (105.3)
Atomweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 1: Jéssica Delboni (105.6) vs. Tabatha Watkins (105.8)
Atomweight Tournament Reserve Bout: Kara Vislosky (104.4) vs. Samantha Seff (105.9)

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a globally integrated multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Fans to Determine Phoenix Tournament Quarterfinal Match-Ups

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – In yet another fan-friendly innovation from Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women MMA promotion is empowering fans to become matchmakers for Invicta FC Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights which takes place Friday, June 11.

Eight atomweight contenders will step into the Invicta cage with one emerging as the new No. 1 contender – but who they fight in the first of potentially three fights in one explosive night will be decided by the fans!

For the first time in MMA history, online fan voting will determine the match-ups for the quarterfinal stage of the tournament. In the previous three Phoenix events, a random draw was used to determine the fighter pairings.

Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp said, “Invicta continues to innovate with the introduction of a fan-matchmaking element for our next Phoenix Tournament. Playing fantasy matchmaker is a big part of MMA fandom, and we’re giving fans the chance to weigh-in on the opening round of a one-night tournament that will crown the new No. 1 Invicta atomweight contender.”

Much like when Invicta experimented with open scoring back in 2019 before committing to it, the promotion is adopting a ‘look-and-see’ approach to the fan voting component for the Phoenix Tournament.

She said, “The Phoenix Tournament format itself is perhaps the biggest MMA innovation in years: the return of single-night tournaments, open scoring, five-minute fights in the quarters and semis before the two finalists meet in a three-rounder. It is a unique format and having fans vote on the initial bracketing is just another wrinkle to what we feel is the most exciting format in combat sports.”

HOW DOES VOTING WORK?

Fans can visit the Phoenix Tournament Voting Portal and vote for the four quarterfinal bouts they want to see. Whichever pairings receive the most votes will be the opening four fights of the tournament, comprising the entire quarterfinal round. Fans can vote multiple times for their favorite match-ups.

For the semifinals, whichever athlete scores the fastest finish in the quarterfinals will get to decide who she faces. As with previous Phoenix Tournaments, if there are no stoppages in the quarterfinals, a random draw will decide which winners face off in the semis.

Voting will be open until one hour before the event’s ceremonial weigh-ins on Thursday, June 10.

WHAT HAPPENS IF THERE’S A LAST-MINUTE WITHDRAWAL?

In the case of an athlete dropping out of the competition before she has a chance to compete, an alternate will take her place in both the tournament and the voting portal. 

ANY CONCERNS FIGHTERS/CAMPS WILL TRY TO INFLUENCE VOTE?

No. Every athlete who accepts an invitation to compete in a Phoenix Tournament is agreeing to fight three times in one night – that is absolute proof these women will fight anyone, short notice or not. Even if they have a preferred opponent in the quarterfinals, there’s no way influence who wins the fights and makes it to the semifinals and, ultimately, the final. The tournament winner will have to beat three opponents on June 11.

WHAT DOES THE TOURNAMENT WINNER GET?

The winner of the atomweight tournament will wins not only a Phoenix Trophy, but a cash prize and, most importantly, a guaranteed shot at reigning Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella.

HOW CAN I WATCH THE ACTION?

The event will be broadcast on U.S. cable network AXS TV, the Fight Network in Canada and also stream worldwide on Invicta FC’s YouTube Channel.

Phoenix Tournament: Atomweight Athletes
Jéssica Delboni
Jillian DeCoursey
Katie Perez
Katie Saull
Lindsey VanZandt
Linda Mihalec
Paulina Granados
Tabatha Watkins

About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a globally integrated multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Phoenix Tournament to Crown New Atomweight Contender on June 11

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – A shot at reigning Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella is on the line as the fastest-paced format in combat sports – The Phoenix Tournament – returns next Friday, June 11. The fourth installment of Invicta FC’s Phoenix Tournament will emanate from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, as eight atomweight contenders will try to win three fights in one explosive night.

Invicta FC Phoenix Tournament©: Atomweights will air live on AXS TV in the United States and will be available worldwide on Invicta FC’s YouTube Channel. To find how to watch the action in your area, click here.

“The Phoenix Tournament is a unique set of challenges to our athletes,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “The rapid-fire pace of the one-round quarter- and semifinal matches is totally different to anything else in mixed martial arts. Having to peak not once, not twice but potentially three times against three different opponents is the kind of mental stress only a handful of fighters in MMA history have overcome.

“Whichever fighter comes out victorious on June 11 will have truly earned her shot at the Invicta FC world title.”

Perhaps the favorite to do that is Jéssica Delboni (10-3), who – incredibly – will be back in action just three weeks after pushing the champion Zappitella to split decision. The Brazilian feels she defeated Zappitella and is prepared to fight her way through three other contenders in order to get another crack at the 105-pound queen.

Joining Delboni in the Phoenix Tournament is a pair of New Yorkers in Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-4) and Jillian “Lionheart” DeCoursey (4-3). The 27-year-old VanZandt – who now trains in Arizona – will be making her fifth Invicta appearance, having battled both Zappitella and Delboni previously. DeCoursey steps into the Invicta cage for the sixth time.

Rounding out the group of promotional veterans, Linda “F109” Mihalec (2-1) and Canada’s “Queen of the North” Katie Saull (3-4) each look to slingshot their way to the top of the 105-pound ladder.

A trio of newcomers complete the tournament athletes as Paulina “Firefox” Granados (4-4), Tabatha “Batgirl” Watkins (3-3) and Katie “Maquina Asesina” Perez (2-1) look to make a name for themselves in their promotional debuts.

As with the previous Phoenix Tournament events, the single-elimination format will feature one-round fights in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, with the tournament final being a three-round affair to determine the champion. The eight participants will be matched up during a random draw prior to the event.

Quarterfinal fighters will have plenty of incentive to finish their fights. Each finish will earn the winning fighter a monetary bonus, but more importantly, the fastest finisher in the quarterfinal round will have the luxury of picking their opponent for the semifinals based on the remaining three combatants. If there are no finishes in the quarterfinals, the semifinal match-ups will again be determined by random draw.

The event will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. With the ongoing pandemic, the fights will take place behind closed doors — sans fans — but will be open to a limited number of media. As with any Invicta event, the safety of its athletes, their corners, its staff and commission officials is of the utmost priority. All participants will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event.

Tournament reserve match-ups will be announced prior to the event.

Phoenix Tournament: Atomweight Participants
Jéssica Delboni
Jillian DeCoursey
Katie Perez
Katie Saull
Lindsey VanZandt
Linda Mihalec
Paulina Granados
Tabatha Watkins

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About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a globally integrated multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Shino VanHoose Out, Jillian DeCoursey Steps in Against Alesha Zappitella at Invicta FC 30

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Kansas City, Mo. — The lineup for Invicta FC 30 has undergone a late change.

Atomweight Shino VanHoose (6-5) has been forced out of her scheduled match-up with promotional newcomer Alesha Zappitella (3-0, 1 NC).

Stepping in on short-notice will be undefeated Jillian DeCoursey (2-0) of New York. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt, DeCoursey was last in action in March, defeating Rebekah Levine at Invicta FC 28.

Invicta FC 30 takes place Saturday, July 21, 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 and is headlined by an atomweight title clash between Texas product Jinh Yu Frey (6-3) and Finland’s Minna Grusander (6-1).

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 30 can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jinh Yu Frey (6-3) vs. Minna Grusander (6-1)
Featherweight: Felicia Spencer (4-0) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (5-1)
Straweight: Kinberly Novaes (9-4) vs. Heather Jo Clark (7-6)
Bantamweight: Alexa Conners (5-2) vs. Kerri Kenneson (3-0)
Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (3-0) vs. Brogan Walker-Sanchez (5-0)
Atomweight: Jillian DeCoursey (2-0) vs. Alesha Zappitella (3-0, 1 NC)
Atomweight: Alyse Anderson (3-1) vs. Stephanie Alba (3-2, 1 NC)
Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield (1-0) vs. Brittney Cloudy (0-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 30 are on sale now 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.

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Nine Athletes Join Invicta FC Roster

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Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships has added nine new faces to its roster.

Joining the strawweight division will be undefeated Brazilian Virna Jandiroba (11-0). The 28-year-old, dubbed “Carcará,” most recently defeated UFC veteran Ericka Almeida. She also holds a submission victory over UFC and Invicta FC veteran Lisa Ellis.

The flyweight division has six new fighters, including four who are unbeaten: Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC), Chan-Mi Jeon (5-0), Bárbara Acioly (4-0), Karina Rodríguez (4-2), Cheri Muraski (3-0) and Tracy Cortez (0-0).

  • Italy’s Borella will join the promotion having won four of her last five fights.
  • At just 19 year old, South Korea’s Jeon has finished four of her five wins with strikes, capturing ALL FC’s flyweight championship in the process.
  • The 28-year-old Acioly also hails from Brazil and has stopped three of her four wins inside the first round.
  • Mexico’s Rodríguez has stopped her opponent in three of her four wins and has faced the likes of Invicta FC veteran Alexa Grasso.
  • Colorado’s Muraski, who was 6-1 as an amateur before turning pro in late 2016, submitted Invicta FC veteran Shannon Sinn in her last outing.
  • Cortez, a Tuff-N-Uff flyweight titleholder, fights out of Arizona and will make her professional debut inside the Invicta cage after going 6-0 as an amateur.

“There are a lot of eyeballs on the 125-pound weight class right now,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “We have a card coming up on May 20 that showcases some of the best flyweights in the world.

“Being able to add such a talented group of athletes to that flyweight mix will only push the entire division further. We’re expecting to see great match-ups right away, while also looking ahead to the exciting opportunities our younger prospects will have as they develop here at Invicta.”

Finally, two fighters slated to make their professional debuts have joined the atomweight division. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Jillian DeCoursey (0-0) compiled a record of 8-1 as an amateur. California’s Ashley Medina (0-0) went 4-1 in the amateur ranks, including two wins via armbar.

All of the new athletes are expected to make their promotional debuts later in 2017.

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.