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Trisha Cicero Replaces Claire Guthrie at Invicta FC 40

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Kansas City, Kan. – The fight card for Invicta FC 40 has undergone a late change.

Colorado flyweight “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (1-0) has been forced out of her match-up with newcomer Laura “La Jefa” Gallardo (2-0) of California.

Stepping in on two weeks’ notice will be Florida’s Trisha Cicero (3-3). The American Top Team product is a black belt in Kenpo karate and currently rides a two-fight winning streak. She most recently submitted Brandi Narvaez in June.

Invicta FC 40 takes place Thursday, July 2 in Kansas City, Kan. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. The event is headlined by a strawweight bout between former title challenger Emily “Gordinha” Ducote (8-6) and UFC veteran Juliana “Ju Thai” Lima (10-6).

The updated Invicta FC 40 fight card can be found below:

Strawweight: Emily Ducote vs. Juliana Lima
Atomweight: Alesha Zappitella vs. Lindsey VanZandt
Flyweight: DeAnna Bennett vs. Victoria Leonardo
Featherweight: Chelsea Chandler vs. Liv Parker
Flyweight: Trisha Cicero vs. Laura Gallardo
Strawweight: Genia Goodin vs. Shelby Koren

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.

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Invicta FC 40 Slated for July 2 in Kansas City

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Kansas City, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships is returning to action.

The world’s premier combat sports organization for women will hold its first event since the onset of the COVID-19 pandemic on Thursday, July 2. Invicta FC 40 will take place in Kansas City and will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission. The event will air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, recent strawweight title challenger Emily “Gordinha” Ducote (8-6) takes on Brazilian Juliana “Ju Thai” Lima (10-6). Oklahoma’s Ducote scored a violent, first-round knockout of Janaisa Morandin in her promotional debut before challenging Kanako Murata for the 115-pound title. Ducote fell via split decision in a closely contested bout and will look to get back in the win column. Lima rejoined the Invicta roster in 2019 following a seven-fight stint with the UFC. The veteran was last in action during the inaugural Phoenix Series tournament, where she defeated fellow UFC veteran Danielle Taylor, but fell to eventual tournament champion Brianna Van Buren in the semifinals.

The co-main event will take place in the atomweight division as wrestling dynamo Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (6-2) clashes with New York’s Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-3). The Michigan-based Zappitella earned her third win inside the Invicta cage in February, defeating Kelly D’Angelo on the scorecards. VanZandt was victorious in her last appearance with promotion, defeating Shino VanHoose at Invicta FC 37 in October.

Joining the headlining bouts will be a flyweight match-up between former strawweight title challenger DeAnna “Vitamin D” Bennett (10-6-1) and Louisiana’s Victoria “Fury” Leonardo (6-2). The pair both competed in the second installment of the Phoenix Series last September. The UFC veteran Bennett earned two wins to reach the tournament final, but succumbed to Miranda Maverick in the final round. Leonardo also came up short to Maverick in the tournament and was most recently in action against Erin Blanchfield in February.

Also on the card, California’s Chelsea Chandler (2-1) moves up in weight to welcome featherweight Liv “Phoenix” Parker (4-0) to the promotion, Colorado’s “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (1-0) returns to flyweight against newcomer Laura Gallardo (2-0) of California, and strawweight Genia Goodin (1-0) makes her second Invicta outing against the debuting Shelby Koren (0-0), who is unbeaten through seven amateur bouts.

With the ongoing pandemic, Invicta FC 40 will take place behind closed doors — sans fans and media. As with any Invicta event, the safety of its fighters, their corners, its staff and commission officials is of the utmost priority. All participants will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event. More details of the safety measures being put in place will be revealed prior to the event.

The full fight card can be found below:

Strawweight: Emily Ducote vs. Juliana Lima
Atomweight: Alesha Zappitella vs. Lindsey VanZandt
Flyweight: DeAnna Bennett vs. Victoria Leonardo
Featherweight: Chelsea Chandler vs. Liv Parker
Flyweight: Claire Guthrie vs. Laura Gallardo
Strawweight: Genia Goodin vs. Shelby Koren

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.

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Phoenix Series 3 Results: Stoliarenko Claims Gold in Thriller, Tennant Captures Tournament

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Kansas City, Kan. — On Friday, March 6, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted its third Phoenix Series tournament plus a bantamweight title headliner in a historic night at Memorial Hall. The event aired exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

The Phoenix Series 3 main event was an instant classic as Lithuania’s Julija Stoliarenko battled Lisa Verzosa in one of the bloodiest fights in Invicta history. Stoliarenko scored with a head kick early, stunning Verzosa. The American responded with a stiff right hand that put Stoliarenko on the ground. Verzosa followed her down, but was forced to defend an armbar. Blood began to pour from Stoliarenko’s nose, setting the tone of the fight. A second armbar attempt was unsuccessful, but Stoliarenko took the round. Verzosa fought back hard in round two, repeatedly scoring with her right hand. The nose of Stoliarenko bled badly in round three, but she was unfazed, slicing Verzosa open with an elbow. Both fighters sported a crimson mask for the remainder of the fight, pushing the pace and looking to put the other away. The mouthpiece of Stoliarenko frequently hit the canvas from the right hands of Verzosa. A finish never came and the fight was sent to the judges to determine a new champion. They were split in their scores, but Stoliarenko took the fight on two cards to capture the belt.

Taneisha Tennant picked up her third win of the night, defeating Taylor Guardado in the Phoenix Series 3 bantamweight tournament final. Tennant’s pinpoint striking was on display from the onset, peppering Guardado from range with counter strikes. Guardado came forward with pressure, but Tennant’s footwork kept her just out of range. Tennant caught Guardado with a strong right hand that sent her mouthpiece flying to the mat. Guardado never backed down, marching forward. A takedown attempt by Guardado was met with a great sprawl by Tennant. Blood poured from Guardado’s nose in round three and her corner told her she was down on the judges’ scorecards. She pushed the action, but Tennant’s nightlong showcase of technique continued throughout the final frame. Guardado came up short on her punches, but did score with heavy leg kicks. It wasn’t enough, as Tennant took home the decision and tournament trophy to remain undefeated.

The strawweight contest between Kay Hansen and Liana Pirosin became the first fight in modern MMA history to utilize open scoring. Hansen showcased her strong grappling game throughout the fight, taking down the Brazilian at will. Pirosin did her best to stay active off her back, but Hansen repeatedly got the better of the scrambling exchanges. The second round was the most dominant round of the fight for Hansen, who took Pirosin’s back and briefly secured a body triangle. She scored with short punches from top position and earned a 10-8 round from one of the judges in real time. The third round was again a display for Hansen’s grappling, but Pirosin went for broke knowing she was down on the scorecards. She threatened Hansen with an armbar just as time expired, but could not find the finish. Hansen took the clean sweep from the judges. “It was nice knowing the scores, so I didn’t have to guess,” said the victorious Hansen of the open format.

In the second tournament semifinal, Taneisha Tennant used a measured striking attack and great takedown defense to edge Hope Chase. The forward pressure of Chase had no impact on Tennant early in the fight as she stayed on the outside and looked to counter. Chase powered into a double-leg attempt, but Tennant shrugged her off. The pair traded flashy techniques as a question-mark kick from Tennant was followed by a wheel kick attempt by Chase. Late in the fight, Chase’s takedown attempts worked against her, as Tennant battered her with elbows along the fence. That proved to be the difference on the scorecards as Tennant moved to the tournament final.

The first semifinal match-up featured Taylor Guardado against Serena DeJesus. Guardado powered the fight to the fence early and tried to secure a takedown. DeJesus landed short knees and elbows to stay upright. When the pair separated, DeJesus was able to score with kicks from range. The pair returned to the clinch and DeJesus scored with more elbows. Guardado continued to apply pressure, flurrying with punches in the fight’s waning moments. The judges were split in their verdict, handing Guardado a spot in the final.

The second tournament reserve bout was largely a one-sided affair as veteran Mitzi Merry topped newcomer Morgan Hickam. Merry controlled range early before catching Hickam with a series of right hands. Hickam kept her chin high as she absorbed multiple shots. The Tennessee fighter put Merry against the cage and worked hard to secure a takedown. Merry used an active guard from bottom, attacking with an armbar, then an omoplata. The ensuing scramble saw Merry take Hickam’s back and threaten with a choke attempt. She couldn’t score the finish, but Merry took home the decision victory.

In tournament reserve action, Kelly Clayton battered fellow newcomer Florina Moeller en route to a submission win. Moeller barreled forward recklessly, eating right hand after right hand. She was undeterred, getting inside and pushing Clayton to the cage. Clayton showcased great balance, preventing Moeller from getting the fight the ground. Clayton continued to score with power punches on the feet before earning a late takedown. She took Moeller’s back and applied a rear-naked choke to coerce a tap before the final bell.

The final tournament quarterfinal fight pitted Taneisha Tennant against Brittney Victoria. Tennant showcased her crisp striking from the opening bell. Victoria tried to use her boxing, but Tennant kept her at range with kicks. Tennant put together a series of punches that backed Victoria to the cage. The diverse arsenal of Tennant kept Victoria guessing, as she battered the body with a kick and punches. Victoria sought a takedown late in the fight, but Tennant punished her with a combination of punches. The fight saw the scorecards, with Tennant becoming the fourth and final semifinalist.

Hope Chase and Julia Ottolino engaged in a highly competitive fight in the third tournament quarterfinal bout. Chase came out and applied pressure right away. Ottolino scored with a series of kicks, but Chase flurried forward and brought the fight to the ground. Chase applied ground and pound before Ottolino threatened with an armbar. Chase defended, but ate an upkick in the process. She allowed Ottolino to stand and again flurried with a series of punches along the fence. Ottolino tried to counter, but she could not match the volume of Chase, who punched her ticket to the semifinals by decision.

In the night’s second match-up Taylor Guardado outworked Claire Guthrie to capture the second spot in the tournament semifinals. Guardado was aggressive to start, powering Guthrie to the fence. She brought the fight to the mat, but Guthrie attacked with a triangle choke attempt. Guardado navigated the submission and the referee stood up the fight after a brief stalemate. A right hand from Guthrie found the mark, but the strike left her open to a level change from Guardado, who dragged the fight back to the ground. The fight’s final minute was spent in the clinch, with all three judges rewarding Guardado for efforts.

The tournament quarterfinals kicked off with a battle between Serena DeJesus and Kerri Kenneson. The more experienced Kenneson immediately went for a takedown and put DeJesus on her back. DeJesus did not panic and worked back to her feet. Kenneson landed short uppercuts in the clinch, but DeJesus responded with knees and big elbows. When the pair separated, Kenneson threw a body kick which allowed DeJesus to time a takedown of her own. She dropped an onslaught of short punches to Kenneson’s face. The fight returned to the feet briefly, but Kenneson earned a late trip takedown and took the back of DeJesus. DeJesus spun into the full guard to finish the fight on top. The judges were in agreement, sending DeJesus to the semifinals.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Julija Stoliarenko def. Lisa Verzosa by split decision (48-46, 46-49, 49-46) – for bantamweight title
Taneisha Tennant def. Taylor Guardado by unanimous decision (30-27 x3) – bantamweight tournament final
Kay Hansen def. Liana Pirosin by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Taneisha Tennant def. Hope Chase by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – bantamweight tournament semifinal
Taylor Guardado def. Serena DeJesus by split decision (10-9, 9-10, 10-9) – bantamweight tournament semifinal
Mitzi Merry def. Morgan Hickam by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – tournament reserve bout
Kelly Clayton def. Florina Moeller by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 4:51 – tournament reserve bout
Taneisha Tennant def. Brittney Victoria by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Hope Chase def. Julia Ottolino by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Taylor Guardado def. Claire Guthrie by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal
Serena DeJesus def. Kerri Kenneson by unanimous decision (10-9 x3) – bantamweight tournament quarterfinal

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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Phoenix Series 3 Official Weigh-in and Tournament Draw Results

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Kansas City, Kan. — On Thursday, March 5, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for PHOENIX SERIES© 3. The event takes place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., on Friday, March 6, with the entire card streaming live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

The event is headlined by a bantamweight title fight between undefeated 24-year-old Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-0) and The Ultimate Fighter alumna Julija Stoliarenko (8-3-1) of Lithuania. Verzosa — née Spangler — has earned four of her five career victories inside the Invicta cage. The Washington-based fighter most recently defeated Kerri Kenneson at Invicta FC 38. Stoliarenko will make her promotional debut riding the momentum of a four-fight winning streak since leaving the TUF house. All eight of her career wins have come via first-round armbar submission.

Joining the title match-up is a one-night, eight-woman tournament, also in the bantamweight division. The single-elimination tournament will feature one-round fights in the quarterfinal and semifinal rounds, with the tournament final being a three-round affair to determine the tournament champion.

The tournament participants were matched up during a random draw during the event’s weigh-ins.

In the first quarterfinal bout, Las Vegas-based Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (1-1) meets the most experienced fighter in the tournament, “Scary” Kerri Kenneson (3-2). The second match-up pits the debuting Taylor “No Mercy” Guardado (0-0) against Colorado’s “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (1-0). In the third pairing, “Hurricane” Hope Chase (2-1) squares off against Julia “Chicago” Ottolino (1-0). Finally, California’s Brittney “Bombshell” Victoria (3-1) takes on Taneisha “Triple Threat” Tennant (2-0).

As was previously announced, the event will utilize open scoring.

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

Bantamweight Title: Lisa Verzosa (134.2) vs. Julija Stoliarenko (134.2)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (115.9) vs. Liana Pirosin (116)
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 2: Mitzi Merry (135.5) vs. Morgan Hickam (135.6)
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 1: Kelly Clayton (135.5) vs. Florina Moeller (135)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 4: Taneisha Tennant (135.7) vs. Brittney Victoria (135.1)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 3: Julia Ottolino (134.7) vs. Hope Chase (135.8)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 2: Claire Guthrie (135.7) vs. Taylor Guardado (135.8)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal No. 1: Kerri Kenneson (135.5) vs. Serena DeJesus (135.3)

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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Serena DeJesus Elevated to Phoenix Series 3 Tournament After Gillian Noll Withdraws

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Kansas City, Kan. – The lineup for the PHOENIX SERIES© 3 bantamweight tournament on March 6 has undergone a last-minute change.

Gillian Noll has been forced to withdraw from the eight-woman, single-elimination tournament. Stepping into the tournament field will be Las Vegas fighter Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (1-1), who was previously slated to compete in one of the night’s reserve bouts.

Taking the place of DeJesus opposite Florina Moeller (1-1) in the tournament reserve match-up will be Washington’s Kelly “Skittles” Clayton (1-2). Clayton picked up a win over the aforementioned Noll in her last bout.

In addition to the bantamweight tournament, the event is headlined by a bantamweight title clash between undefeated 24-year-old phenom Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-0) and The Ultimate Fighter alumna Julija Stoliarenko (8-3-1) of Lithuania.

As was previously announced, all fights for the event will utilize open scoring.

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 takes place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets to the event can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Lisa Verzosa vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Bantamweight Tournament Final: TBD vs. TBD
Strawweight: Kay Hansen vs. Liana Pirosin
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 2: Mitzi Merry vs. Morgan Hickam
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 1: Kelly Clayton vs. Florina Moeller
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 Quarterfinalists
Brittney Victoria
Claire Guthrie
Hope Chase
Julia Ottolino
Kerri Kenneson
Serena DeJesus
Taneisha Tennant
Taylor Guardado

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.

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Phoenix Series 3 Loses Amber Brown vs. Sharon Jacobson

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Kansas City, Kan. – An injury has hit the fight card for PHOENIX SERIES© 3 on March 6.

Former atomweight title challenger Amber “The Bully” Brown (7-6) has been forced out of her strawweight match-up with Sharon “The Dream Catcher” Jacobson (6-5). With the event just one week away, the fight has been pulled from the card. The bout may be rescheduled for an INVICTA FC® event later in the year.

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 features the fastest-paced format in mixed martial arts, an eight-woman, single-elimination tournament. The third installment takes place in the bantamweight division.

In addition to the bantamweight tournament, the event also includes a bantamweight title clash between undefeated 24-year-old phenom Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-0) and The Ultimate Fighter alum Julija Stoliarenko (8-3-1) of Lithuania.

As was previously announced, all fights for the event will utilize open scoring.

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 takes place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets to the event can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Lisa Verzosa vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Bantamweight Tournament Final: TBD vs. TBD
Strawweight: Kay Hansen vs. Liana Pirosin
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 2: Mitzi Merry vs. Morgan Hickam
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 1: Serena DeJesus vs. Florina Moeller
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 Quarterfinalists
Brittney Victoria
Claire Guthrie
Gillian Noll
Hope Chase
Julia Ottolino
Kerri Kenneson
Taneisha Tennant
Taylor Guardado

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.

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Two Fighters Join Phoenix Series 3 Tournament Lineup

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Kansas City, Kan. – The lineup for PHOENIX SERIES© 3 on March 6 has undergone some changes.

The event, which features the fastest-paced format in mixed martial arts, includes an eight-woman, single-elimination tournament in the INVICTA FC® bantamweight division. Two of the tournament athletes, Auttumn Norton and Erin Harpe, have been forced off the fight card. Stepping into the tournament field will be Julia “Chicago” Ottolino (1-0) and newcomer Gillian “Valkyrie” Noll (1-1).

The San Antonio-based Ottolino made her professional debut at Invicta FC 36, defeating Megan Cawley by decision. Noll, who hails from Idaho, will make her first promotional appearance having split her first two pro outings after a lengthy amateur career.

As a result of the change, Ottolino’s original opponent in one of the night’s reserve bouts, Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (1-1), will square off Romanian newcomer Florina “Count Cuddles” Moeller (1-1), who now trains out of Kansas.

In addition to the bantamweight tournament, PHOENIX SERIES© 3 also features a bantamweight title clash between undefeated 24-year-old phenom Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-0) and The Ultimate Fighter alum Julija Stoliarenko (8-3-1) of Lithuania.

As was previously announced, all fights for the event will utilize open scoring.

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 takes place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan. The event streams live on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets to the event can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Lisa Verzosa vs. Julija Stoliarenko
Bantamweight Tournament Final: TBD vs. TBD
Strawweight: Amber Brown vs. Sharon Jacobson
Strawweight: Kay Hansen vs. Liana Pirosin
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 2: Mitzi Merry vs. Morgan Hickam
Bantamweight Reserve Bout No. 1: Serena DeJesus vs. Florina Moeller
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)
Bantamweight Tournament Quarterfinal: TBD vs. TBD (Randomly Drawn)

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 Quarterfinalists
Brittney Victoria
Claire Guthrie
Gillian Noll
Hope Chase
Julia Ottolino
Kerri Kenneson
Taneisha Tennant
Taylor Guardado

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.

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Phoenix Series 3 to Feature Open Scoring on Friday, March 6

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Kansas City, Kan. – INVICTA FC® is again on the apex of innovation in the sport of mixed martial arts. The world’s premier all-women’s combat sports organization announced that it will trial open scoring at the upcoming PHOENIX SERIES© 3 event scheduled for Friday, March 6 in Kansas City, Kan..

The event will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission, who today announced they will offer open scoring as an option to all MMA promotions.

Under the commission’s direction, all three judges’ scores will be collected at the end of each round. The scores will then be provided to the corners of each fighter, as well as the promotion’s broadcast team, via commission officials. A graphic will be displayed on the broadcast revealing the scores to the viewing audience both in the arena and at home.

Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp said, “We’ve been considering open scoring for some time and, with the Kansas Athletic Commission’s decision to allow open scoring, we welcome the opportunity to use it on a major MMA promotion for the first time.”

While open scoring has been used in other combat sports, no major MMA organization currently utilizes the format.

Knapp added, “Invicta FC has always been about innovation. There are theoretical arguments for and against open scoring, but we think anything that could potentially improve the sport is worth trying. We are going into this event with an open mind. Afterwards, will regroup with the commission, our athletes and listen to fan feedback in order to make an informed decision about the future.”

PHOENIX SERIES© 3 features eight fighters competing in a one-night, single-elimination bantamweight tournament, as well as undefeated 24-year-old phenom Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-0) squaring off with The Ultimate Fighter alum Julija Stoliarenko (8-3-1) of Lithuania for the vacant Invicta FC bantamweight title. All fights will be contested using open scoring. For the full fight card and ticketing information, click here.

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.

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Invicta FC 39 Results: Frey Tops Cummins in Rematch, Maverick Earns Title Shot

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Kansas City, Kan. — On Friday, Feb. 7, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II from Memorial Hall. The entire fight card aired exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

Former atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey made sure no one else would leave Kansas City with the belt. After giving up the belt due to missing weight, Frey defeated No. 1 contender Ashley Cummins after five competitive rounds. The first round was spent entirely on the feet. Cummins used her jab to establish range. Frey looked for her power left, but it did not land initially. Cummins clinched and landed short knees. Frey found success with a body kick, but she struggled to match the output of Cummins. In round two, Cummins again scored with combinations. Frey delivered a heavy left hand that cut Cummins over her right eye. She followed it with a looping right hook that dropped Cummins for a moment. Round three featured more back-and-forth action. Cummins was relentless with her pressure and jab. Frey stayed on the outside and again looked for her power punches. A brief clinch saw Cummins batter the body of Frey. They exchanged low kicks in a very close frame. The fourth round saw Cummins initiate the clinch and score with foot stomps. Her forward pressure continued, but Frey was able to counter. The Texan landed with kicks to try and slow the movement of Cummins. In the final stanza, Frey used her kicking arsenal and pushed the pace. When the scorecards were read, it was Frey who walked away with the decision win.

In the night’s co-main event, Phoenix Series winner Miranda Maverick earned a title shot with a dominant performance against UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez. The pair traded kicks early, but Maverick wasted little time establishing her ground dominance. She put Gonzalez on the ground and took her back. The former title challenger Gonzalez showed poise, defending from her back and staying active. The second round started strong for Gonzalez, who scored with a hip toss and gained top position. Maverick never panicked and eventually reversed position. The 22-year-old moved to mount late in the frame, battering Gonzalez with strikes. It was more of the same in the third, as Maverick repeatedly put Gonzalez on the mat and prevented her from mounting any offense. The fight went to the judges, but there was never any doubt as Maverick swept the scorecards.

Atomweight contenders Alesha Zappitella and Kelly D’Angelo put on a show in their three-round battle. Zappitella came forward early, flurrying with punching combinations. D’Angelo looked to counter and batter the lead leg of her wrestling counterpart. After five minutes of trading on the feet, Zappitella went to her strong grappling attack, putting D’Angelo on her back. The Missouri native threatened Zappitella with an armbar, but Zappitella remained calm and controlled from the top. Zappitella repeatedly passed to side control. D’Angelo stayed active in the third round, peppering Zappitella with counter punches. Zappitella’s wrestling proved to be the difference, as she captured the clear-cut judges’ decision.

Flyweight Erin Blanchfield thrilled the crowd with a second-round knockout over veteran Victoria Leonardo. Louisiana’s Leonardo was the aggressor early, staying in the face of her younger foe. Blanchfield tried for a hip toss, but Leonardo used a whizzer to stay off her back. The pair separated and Blanchfield unleashed a left head kick that sent Leonardo crashing to the canvas. Blanchfield flurried for a finish, but Leonardo showed great heart to recover and survive the round. In the second round, Leonardo sought the clinch along the fence. Blanchfield was able to separate and fired another left head kick that put Leonardo down for good.

New York’s Jillian DeCoursey showcased her grappling chops, besting Linda Mihalec in their atomweight affair. Mihalec tried to bring the fight to the mat, but was quickly reversed and put on her back. She powered to top position, but DeCoursey swept her along the fence with a kimura attempt. DeCoursey scored with ground and pound as the round expired. In round two, DeCoursey caught Mihalec with a clean overhand right before powering into a double-leg takedown. Mihalec looked for a leg lock, but DeCoursey defended and finished the round on top. Kentucky’s Mihalec pushed the pace early in the final stanza, dragging DeCoursey to the ground. She transitioned to the back, which gave DeCoursey an opening to spin into her guard. Mihalec powered to top position one final time in the fight’s final minute, but DeCoursey swept her again to put the finishing touches on the decision victory.

The night kicked off with a bantamweight battle between newcomers Monica Franco and Tina Pettigrew. California’s Pettigrew found success early with her jab and pushed Franco to the cage. She brought the fight to the ground and took Franco’s back. Pettigrew threatened with an armbar, but Franco was able to escape. Franco’s counter striking was the difference in the second round, keeping Pettigrew at bay. The final round featured Pettigrew seeking a takedown, but Franco battered her with short punches and elbows to seal the decision win.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jinh Yu Frey def. Ashley Cummins by unanimous decision (48-47 x3)
Miranda Maverick def. Pearl Gonzalez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Alesha Zappitella def. Kelly D’Angelo by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Erin Blanchfield def. Victoria Leonardo by knockout (head kick). Round 3, 2:06
Jillian DeCoursey def. Linda Mihalec by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Monica Franco def. Tina Pettigrew by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)

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 (InvictaFights), and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

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Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II Official Weigh-in Results

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Kansas City, Mo. — On Thursday, Feb. 6, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II. The event takes place from from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., on Friday, Feb. 7 , with the entire card streaming live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

Headliner Jinh Yu Frey (8-4) missed championship weight at 105.8 pounds. Per Invicta policy, the atomweight belt is now vacant. The fight will go on as a five-round affair with only No. 1 contender Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-4) eligible to win the title after hitting the mark at 104.5 pounds. The fight is a rematch of the pair’s Invicta FC 24 bout, where the Texas-based Frey earned a decision victory. Frey later ascended to the top of the division with a pair of victories over Finland’s Minna Grusander. Cummins rebounded with wins over Jéssica Delboni and Stephanie Alba to earn her shot at gold.

The co-main event will determine the next flyweight contender as UFC veteran and former title challenger Pearl “The Chi-Town Princess” Gonzalez (10-4) meets recent Phoenix Series 2 winner Miranda “Fear The” Maverick (6-2). Gonzalez seeks her second shot at champion Vanessa Porto and rides the momentum of a decision victory over the previously unbeaten Brogan Walker in the Invicta FC 37 main event. The Missouri native Maverick inched closer to title contention in September, defeating Victoria Leonardo, Shanna Young and UFC alum DeAnna Bennett to capture the one-night tournament.

Additionally, flyweight Shanna Young (7-2) became ill during fight week and did not weigh in. Her opponent, Brazil’s Daiana Torquato (9-3), successfully made weight and was paid her show money.

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

Atomweight Title: Jinh Yu Frey (105.8)* vs. Ashley Cummins (104.5)
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (124.7) vs. Miranda Maverick (125.1)
Flyweight: Shanna Young (N/A)# vs. Daiana Torquato (125.1)
Atomweight: Alesha Zappitella (105.5) vs. Kelly D’Angelo (105.8)
Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield (125.1) vs. Victoria Leonardo (124.6)
Atomweight: Jillian DeCoursey (105.7) vs. Linda Mihalec (105.2)
Bantamweight: Tina Pettigrew (135.3) vs. Monica Franco (134.8)

* – Frey missed the championship limit of 105 pounds. She was fined 25 percent of her fight purse and the title is now vacant. Only Cummins is eligible to win the title.

# – Young fell ill during fight week and was deemed medically unfit to compete. Torquato was paid her show purse.

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.