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Hannah Rogers Becomes Latest Fighter to Join Invicta FC Roster

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Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships has signed Tennessee featherweight Hannah Rogers to its roster.

The 23-year-old, dubbed “Little Hands,” is unbeaten as an amateur and will make her pro debut inside the Invicta FC cage.

“I am extremely excited about the opportunity to fight for Invicta FC,” said Rogers. “This opportunity means the world to me because Invicta FC has been established as the largest and most prominent promotion to support all weight classes of women’s MMA.

“Invicta FC is packed full of talented and accomplished fighters, but I am excited to show that I am not afraid to fight these other extremely talented women.”

A product of the Nashville MMA, Rogers has been competing for four years and holds the rank of blue belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She’s ready to make her mark on the promotion beginning in 2015.

“I work hard, and I am coming to fight,” declared Rogers before offering a message to her future opponents. “Don’t sell me short because I am new to this venue. You better believe that I am ready to fight, so bring your ‘A’ game!”

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Invicta FC 12 Results: Livia Renata Souza Submits Katja Kankaanpää to Claim Strawweight Title

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Kansas City, Mo. – Invicta Fighting Championships returned to the Municipal Auditorium on Friday, April 24 for Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

A new champion was crowned in the strawweight division as Brazil’s Livia Renata Souza submitted Finland’s Katja Kankaanpää in the fourth round. Souza attacked the champion from the opening bell, taking the fight to the ground and taking Kankaanpää’s back. Kankaanpää showed heart and defended rear-naked choke attempts. The momentum swung toward Kankaanpää as the fight progressed. She used a smothering top game in the middle frames, delivering short shots and keeping Souza from mounting offense. In round four, Souza again found herself on her back, but she slapped on a triangle choke and Kankaanpää was forced to tap and relinquish her belt.

Brazilian Vanessa Porto exacted revenge on Roxanne Modafferi, claiming a decision win in the pair’s rematch. Porto used her leg kicks to slow Modafferi’s movement and mixed in takedowns in each of the first two rounds. Modafferi countered with flurries, bloodying the nose of Porto. A right hand from Porto clipped Modafferi in round two, but she survived and pushed hard in the third round. Modafferi’s efforts were not enough as Porto took the fight on the judges’ scorecards.

New Zealand’s Faith Van Duin earned a big win in her Invicta debut, submitting Amanda Bell in the second round with a schoolyard choke. Van Duin put Bell on the mat early in the fight and threatened with an armbar. Bell escaped and reversed the position, dropping big hammerfists on the Kiwi. In the second round, Van Duin caught a kick and took Bell down again. She locked onto Bell’s neck and coerced a tap.

Raquel Pa’aluhi continued her march up the bantamweight ladder, edging Brazilian Ediane Gomes by unanimous decision. The Hawaiian scored with right hands and a big throw in the opening stanza, but Gomes countered with a heel hook attempt. In round two, Pa’aluhi hurt Gomes badly with a body shot and flurried hard for a finish. Gomes managed to recover and put together a strong final round. It wasn’t enough; however, as Pa’aluhi took home the victory on the scorecards.

Featherweight Latoya Walker remained unbeaten, edging Peggy Morgan by unanimous decision. Morgan used her reach to keep Walker at bay early, but Walker found her range and connected repeatedly with her overhand right. She rocked Morgan badly in round two, but could not find the finish. Morgan’s face wore the damage from Walker’s heavy shots as the fight went the distance.

Lacey Schuckman returned to the Invicta cage and needed less than two minutes to score a TKO win over Jenny Liou. Schuckman was aggressive early with her strikes, wobbling Liou with a flurry. She was patient with her follow-up punches, battering Liou against the cage and forcing the stoppage.

In her Invicta debut, strawweight Sharon Jacobson used a mix of aggressive striking and powerful wrestling to defeat a scrappy Delaney Owen. Jacobson overpowered Owen early, but Owen showed resolve and clipped Jacobson with a heavy shot that damaged her right eye. Jacobson went to her wrestling game and was able to claim a sweep on the scorecards.

Former training partners Shannon Sinn and Maureen Riordon went to war, with Sinn claiming the unanimous decision win. The two flyweights traded heavy shots from the opening bell, with Sinn landing more frequently. Riordon never stopped marching forward, but Sinn’s combinations and clinch work were the difference on the scorecards.

In a battle of promotional newcomers, Sijara Eubanks used her grappling prowess to set up a finish with her hands, handing Gina Begley a first-round TKO loss. Begley scored early on the feet, but once Eubanks took the fight to the mat, Eubanks delivered heavy shots and forced the referee to intervene.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Livia Renata Souza def. Katja Kankaanpää by submission (triangle choke). Round 4, 3:58 – for strawweight title
Vanessa Porto def. Roxanne Modafferi by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Faith Van Duin def. Amanda Bell by submission (schoolyard choke). Round 2, 0:38
Raquel Pa’aluhi def. Ediane Gomes by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Latoya Walker def. Peggy Morgan by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Lacey Schuckman def. Jenny Liou by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 1:53
Sharon Jacobson def. Delaney Owen by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Shannon Sinn def. Maureen Riordon by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Sijara Eubanks def. Gina Begley by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 4:59

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza Official Weigh-in Results

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Kansas City, Mo. – On Thursday, April 23, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza, which takes place Friday, April 24, from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) will look to defend her title for the first time against unbeaten Brazilian Livia Renata Souza (7-0).

Below are the results of the event’s weigh-ins which were held at the Aladdin Hotel.

Strawweight Title: Katja Kankaanpää (114.6) vs. Livia Renata Souza (113.9)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (125.7) vs. Vanessa Porto (126.5)*
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (146) vs. Faith Van Duin (145.6)
Bantamweight: Ediane Gomes (134.8) vs. Raquel Pa’aluhi (135.9)+
Featherweight: Peggy Morgan (145.7) vs. Latoya Walker (146.5)^
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (114.8) vs. Jenny Liou (118.2)#
Strawweight: Delaney Owen (114) vs. Sharon Jacobson (115.6)
Flyweight: Shannon Sinn (125.3) vs. Maureen Riordon (125.5)
Bantamweight: Gina Begley (135.5) vs. Sijara Eubanks (135)

* Porto weighed in at 128.6 on her first attempt and was fined 25 percent of her purse
+ Pa’aluhi weighed in at 136.1 on her first attempt and was fined 15 percent of her purse
^ Walker weighed in at 146.6 on her first attempt and was fined 25 percent of her purse
# Liou elected not to weigh-in again and was fined 25 percent of her purse

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Featherweight Marina Shafir Signs with Invicta FC

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Kansas City, Mo. — There’s a new arrival in the Invicta FC 145-pound weight class as decorated judoka Marina Shafir has signed with the promotion.

The Moldova native, who trains alongside UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, began competing in MMA in 2012 following a lengthy career in judo. She rattled off five straight, first-round armbar finishes as an amateur before turning pro in 2014.

As a professional, the California-based fighter has earned a first-round finish over Chandra Engel and has locked horns with current Invicta fighter Amanda Bell.

Training out of Glendale Fighting Club, the 27-year-old is expected to make her promotional debut in 2015.

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Invicta FC 12 Loses Cassie Rodish vs. Stephanie Skinner

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Kansas City, Mo. – The fight card for Invicta FC 12 has undergone a last-minute change.

Atomweight Stephanie Skinner (4-5) has suffered an injury in training and her bout against Cassie Rodish (5-4) has been pulled from the event. The match-up was to serve as Skinner’s promotional debut, while Rodish was slated to return to the Invicta cage for the first time since 2013.

Invicta FC 12 takes place Friday, April 24, from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) will look to defend her title for the first time against unbeaten Brazilian Livia Renata Souza (7-0).

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 12 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) vs. Livia Renata Souza (7-0)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (17-11) vs. Vanessa Porto (17-6)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-2) vs. Faith Van Duin (4-1)
Bantamweight: Ediane Gomes (10-3) vs. Raquel Pa’aluhi (4-4)
Featherweight: Peggy Morgan (3-2) vs. Latoya Walker (4-0)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (10-8) vs. Jenny Liou (3-1)
Strawweight: Delaney Owen (3-1) vs. Sharon Jacobson (2-1)
Flyweight: Shannon Sinn (1-2) vs. Maureen Riordon (0-1)
Bantamweight: Gina Begley (0-0) vs. Sijara Eubanks (0-0)

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Gina Begley Steps In For Injured Roma Pawelek at Invicta FC 12

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Kansas City, Mo. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced a change to the fight card for Invicta FC 12, which takes place Friday, April 24, from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Flyweight Roma Pawelek (1-0) has suffered an injury in training and is out of her preliminary card bout against Sijara Eubanks (0-0).

Stepping in for Pawelek on just a week’s notice will be promotional newcomer Gina Begley (0-0). The Kentucky fighter, who trains out of AFS Academy, will be making her pro debut. The bout with Eubanks will now be contested at bantamweight.

Invicta FC 12 will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) will look to defend her title for the first time against unbeaten Brazilian Livia Renata Souza (7-0).

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 12 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) vs. Livia Renata Souza (7-0)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (17-11) vs. Vanessa Porto (17-6)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-2) vs. Faith Van Duin (4-1)
Bantamweight: Ediane Gomes (10-3) vs. Raquel Pa’aluhi (4-4)
Featherweight: Peggy Morgan (3-2) vs. Latoya Walker (4-0)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (10-8) vs. Jenny Liou (3-1)
Atomweight: Cassie Rodish (5-4) vs. Stephanie Skinner (4-5)
Strawweight: Delaney Owen (3-1) vs. Sharon Jacobson (2-1)
Flyweight: Shannon Sinn (1-2) vs. Maureen Riordon (0-1)
Bantamweight: Gina Begley (0-0) vs. Sijara Eubanks (0-0)

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Invicta Bantamweight Division Adds England’s Laura Howarth

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Kansas City, Mo. — There’s another new face in the Invicta FC bantamweight division.

England’s Laura Howarth (2-1) is the latest fighter to sign with the promotion.

“Signing for Invicta was always going to happen, it was simply a question of time until I made it,” said the British fighter. “I’m really excited to show the Invicta fans what I can really do. I feel energized, focused and ready to lay the mother of all beatings on some Invicta fighters.”

Training out of GYM01 in Portsmouth, Howarth is a veteran of The Ultimate Fighter 18 and has compiled an unblemished kickboxing record in addition to her work in the cage. “Hot Head” will quickly look to make her mark on the 135-pound division in 2015.

“I set goals and I always achieve them,” she declared. “I honestly believe it is only a matter of time before the 135-pound belt is strapped around my waist.

“So for all the 135-pounders out there who think they can beat me, please step up. I’m coming for the belt and no one will stop me from taking it.”

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Irish Atomweight Catherine Costigan Joins Invicta FC

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Kansas City, Mo. — The Invicta FC atomweight division continues to grow.

The promotion has signed Ireland’s Catherine Costigan (5-0) to compete in the 105-pound division. The 35-year-old has secured four of her five wins via submission, including an armbar finish of Noelia Molina in her last outing.

“I’m excited and determined to fight for Invicta,” said Costigan. “I plan on having the atomweight belt around my waist by 2016.”

Training out of Pankration Kickboxing Academy, the Limerick-based fighter is eager to put on a show for the fans.

“[They can expect] a spectacle of efficient violence and edge of the seat performances,” declared the former national kickboxing champion.

Costigan is anxious to get to work in the Invicta cage in 2015 and has a message for the rest of the women in her division.

“When they enter the cage with me,  they should expect that it’s going to be their hardest fight both technically and mentally.”

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Brazil’s Janaisa Morandin Added to Invicta Atomweight Division

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Kansas City, Mo. — The Invicta FC 105-pound division has added another new face.

Joining the promotion is undefeated Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (7-0). The native of Rio Grande do Sul has been competing professionally since 2013, racking up four finishes while competing in her home country.

“Ever since I watched Invicta for the first time, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be,” declared the fighter. “I am so happy!”

Morandin was last in action against Arielle Souza in October, scoring her fifth win of 2014.

“I want everyone from Invicta to be proud of signing me,” said Morandin. “I want the fans to have me as their favorite fighter. I am willing to bring great performances to the Invicta cage. You all can expect to see sweat, blood, tears and a big smile on my face as it all comes out!”

Dubbed “Evil Princess,” the fighter has a message for her peers in the 105-pound weight class.

“I know Invicta has the very best female fighters in the world, so it is already a great achievement to be among you all,” said the Brazilian. “I respect you all a lot, but once the door is closed behind us, I will try my best to make you regret being there with me. I am bringing it all and I hope you are ready!”

Look for Morandin’s debut in 2015.

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza Full Fight Card

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News-Invicta-FC-12-Full-Fight-Card

Kansas City, Mo. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the entire fight card for Invicta FC 12, which will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass on Friday, April 24, from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo.

Headlining the event will be a strawweight title fight between Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) and Livia Renata Souza (7-0).

Finland’s Kankaanpää captured Invicta gold at Invicta FC 8 in September with a fifth-round submission win over Stephanie Eggink. The 33-year-old has amassed 10 wins in her 12 career fights and will look to defend her 115-pound belt for the first time.

The Brazilian Souza will enter the contest with an unblemished record. Six of the 24-year-old’s wins have come via submission, including five in the first round. The fight with Kankaanpää will also be Souza’s promotional debut.

In the night’s co-main event, flyweight Roxanne Modafferi (17-11) will square off with Brazilian Vanessa Porto (17-6). The pair met previously in 2008, with Modafferi earning a third-round TKO victory. Modafferi has earned back-to-back wins inside the Invicta cage, earning decisions over Tara LaRosa and Andrea Lee. Porto, who challenged for the Invicta title at Invicta FC 5, also rides a two-fight winning streak, including a decision win over Zoila Frausto at Invicta FC 7.

The full 10-fight card for Invicta FC 12 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Katja Kankaanpää (10-1-1) vs. Livia Renata Souza (7-0)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (17-11) vs. Vanessa Porto (17-6)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-2) vs. Faith Van Duin (4-1)
Bantamweight: Ediane Gomes (10-3) vs. Raquel Pa’aluhi (4-4)
Featherweight: Peggy Morgan (3-2) vs. Latoya Walker (4-0)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (10-8) vs. Jenny Liou (3-1)
Atomweight: Cassie Rodish (5-4) vs. Stephanie Skinner (4-5)
Strawweight: Delaney Owen (3-1) vs. Sharon Jacobson (2-1)
Flyweight: Shannon Sinn (1-2) vs. Maureen Riordon (0-1)
Flyweight: Roma Pawelek (1-0) vs. Sijara Eubanks (0-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 12 will be available for sale tomorrow, March 27, at 10 a.m. CDT at Ticketmaster.com, all Ticketmaster locations, and the Municipal Auditorium box office.

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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).