Invicta FC 50 Official Weigh-in and Tournament Draw Results

DENVER — On Tuesday, Nov. 15, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 50, which takes place Wednesday, Nov. 16 from ReelWorks Denver.

The event features a one-night, four-woman tournament to crown a new strawweight champion. The tournament match-ups were drawn during the weigh-ins. Brazilians Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (10-3) and 20-year-old Ediana “Mel Pitbull” Silva (12-2) collide in one half of the bracket, with UFC veteran Gloria “Glorinha” de Paula (6-5) facing off with Polish newcomer Karolina “Polish Assassin” Wójcik (9-2) in the other semifinal match-up. Both the semifinals and final bout will consist of three, five-minute rounds.

In the night’s co-feature, former bantamweight title challenger Katharina Lehner (7-3) of Germany meets UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (8-4). Also on the card, Denver’s own “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (3-1) takes on Brigid “Khan” Chase (3-1).

The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. 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 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. Tickets to the event will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. MT through Eventbrite.

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

Strawweight Title Tournament
Valesca Machado (115.6) vs. Ediana Silva (115.2)
Gloria de Paula (115.4) vs. Karolina Wójcik (116)

Bantamweight: Katharina Lehner (136) vs. Talita Bernardo (135.7)
Bantamweight: Claire Guthrie (136) vs. Brigid Chase (133.9)
Strawweight Title Tournament Reserve: Danni McCormack (115.6) vs. Maira Mazar (115.4)
Flyweight: Melissa Oddessa (123.3) vs. Elise Pone (125.7)

Strawweight Title Tournament Reserve Fighter: Minna Grusander (114.6)


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.

Strawweight Title Tournament Headlines Invicta FC 50 in Denver

DENVER — Invicta Fighting Championships is returning to the Mile High City for its milestone 50th numbered event on Wednesday, Nov. 16. After an action-packed debut in Colorado in July, the world’s premier combat sports organization for women will once again visit Reelworks Denver with a stacked fight card.

The event will include a one-night, four-woman tournament to crown a new strawweight champion. The four athletes competing for 115-pound supremacy are recent Invicta winner Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (10-3), UFC veteran Gloria “Glorinha” de Paula (6-5), 20-year-old Brazilian Ediana “Mel Pitbull” Silva (12-2) and Polish newcomer Karolina “Polish Assassin” Wójcik (9-2). Both the semifinals and final bout will consist of three, five-minute rounds. Tournament match-ups will be drawn during the event’s weigh-ins on Nov. 15.

In the night’s co-feature, former bantamweight title challenger Katharina Lehner (7-3) of Germany meets UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (8-4). Lehner will be competing under the Invicta banner for the fourth time, while the Brazilian Bernardo looks to build on her successful Invicta debut in July. Also featured on the card will be a bantamweight bout between Denver’s own “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (3-1) and undefeated Brazilian Marilia “The Tigress” Morais (3-0).

Finally, the event will include two strawweight tournament reserve match-ups. Wrestling sensation Sharon “The Dream Catcher” Jacobson (6-5) takes on unbeaten boxer Melissa “La Bella Bestia” Oddessa (3-2) and sanda specialist Maira Mazar (8-4) collides with Ireland’s Danni McCormack (5-2).

The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. 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 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. Tickets to the event will go on sale Friday at 10 a.m. MT through Eventbrite.

The current fight card can be found below:

Strawweight Title Tournament Final: TBD vs. TBD
Bantamweight: Katharina Lehner vs. Talita Bernardo
Bantamweight: Claire Guthrie vs. Marilia Morais
Strawweight Title Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Strawweight Title Tournament Semifinal: TBD vs. TBD
Strawweight Title Tournament Reserve: Sharon Jacobson vs. Melissa Oddessa
Strawweight Title Tournament Reserve: Maira Mazar vs. Danni McCormack

Strawweight Title Tournament Participants
Valesca Machado
Gloria de Paula
Ediana Silva
Karolina Wójcik


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.

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

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.

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

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.

Maiju Suotama Replaces Kristina Williams in Invicta FC 49 Co-Main Event

KANSAS CITY, Kan. — The fight card for Invicta FC 49 has undergone a late change.

Oklahoma’s Kristina “Warhorse” Williams (6-3) has been forced out of her co-headlining bout. Stepping in to replace Williams will be Strikeforce and Phoenix Tournament veteran Maiju “Mountain Momma” Suotama (8-6). The Finnish flyweight has stopped seven of her eight career victories, including five via knockout. She’ll square off with Brazilian knockout artist Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3), who makes her Invicta debut riding a three-fight winning streak.

Also joining the card, Ultimate Fighter veterans collide as Utah’s Kaytlin “Katniss” Neil (5-4) meets Hannah “The Hurricane” Guy (4-1) in another flyweight match-up.

Invicta FC 49 takes place Wednesday, Sept. 28 from the Sugar Creek Casino in Hinton, Okla. The fight card is headlined by an atomweight title clash between champion Jéssica Delboni (12-3) and challenger “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (5-3). The Brazilian Delboni is making the first defense of her 105-pound belt. 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.

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.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jéssica Delboni vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Flyweight: Maiju Suotama 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.

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

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 VenturesFight 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.

Invicta FC 48 Results: Tennant Edges Rubin to Retain Title, Bernardo Submits Gadelha

DENVER — On Wednesday, July 20, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. RubinThe fight card marked Invicta’s first event in Colorado, visiting ReelWorks Denver.

Taneisha Tennant remains the Invicta FC bantamweight champion after a hard-fought battle with Israel’s Olga Rubin. The opening stanza was primarily fought at range. The bantamweights fired kicks to get their timing before Rubin barreled forward into a clinch. She dragged Tennant to the mat, but could not control her. Rubin pinned Tennant to the cage and worked for a body lock. She attempted a lateral drop to no avail. Rubin connected with a left hand as the round expired. Round two began much like the first, with both fighters looking to find a rhythm. Tennant flurried forward and Rubin ducked under to clinch once more. She again looked for a takedown, but could not bring Tennant to the floor. After multiple exchanges, Tennant scored with a late combination to seal the round. Rubin flicked her lead leg in round three to keep Tennant at bay. It was ineffective as Tennant marched right through the strikes. Tennant’s aggression picked up, opening the door for Rubin to score with a blast double-leg takedown. However, Tennant rebounded immediately and the fight returned to the feet. The volume of Tennant picked up late in the frame. The championship rounds saw Tennant gain top position along the fence. As she tried to pass to half guard, Rubin slapped on a buggy choke from her back. Tennant did not panic and patiently waited for the round to close to survive the submission. The final round was a war of attrition as both fighters tried to dig deep. Rubin landed heavy shots, but Tennant landed with volume. Her output was just enough to edge out the frame on two of the judges’ scorecards, resulting in her defending the title via split decision.

UFC veteran Talita Bernardo took care of her fellow Brazilian Yana Gadelha in a bantamweight match-up. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belts had a feeling out process on the feet. Bernardo delivered a thundering body kick that opened up a level change and she brought the fight to the ground. Bernardo attacked with a kimura, but Gadelha scrambled to top position. Bernardo tried to escape out the back, falling into a kneebar attempt. Gadelha cranked on the submission but could not find the finish. In round two, Gadelha flurried forward which allowed Bernardo to again change levels and take the fight to the ground. She quickly took the back of Gadelha and applied a choke attempt. Gadelha fought hard but was forced to submit to the deep rear-naked choke.

Oklahoma’s Kristina Williams and Brazilian Liana Pirosin battled to keep their winning streaks alive in the flyweight division. They exchanged range-finding strikes and kept the fight at distance early. Williams began to connect with long jabs and kicks, utilizing her length advantage. She dropped Pirosin with a massive right hand and quickly chased her to the mat. Williams took Pirosin’s back and applied a rear-naked choke. She squeezed hard and coerced the tap from the Brazilian.

Striking stalwarts Isis Verbeek and Melissa Oddessa put on a show in their strawweight affair. The crisp boxing of Oddessa was on display early. Verbeek used her kicking arsenal to keep Oddessa guessing. The pair traded a variety of strikes throughout the frame. Verbeek opened the second round with a devastating flying knee that sent Oddessa to the canvas. Oddessa was able to recover, but Verbeek continued to mix up her attacks despite the forward advance of Oddessa. A late flurry from Oddessa swung the momentum late in the second round. The third round was a close affair after both fighters tried to leave a lasting impression with the judges. Another late knee from Verbeek sealed the deal as she took home the unanimous decision verdict.

Featherweight sluggers Amber Leibrock and Morgan Frier showed a different element to their skillsets, with Leibrock earning a first-round submission win. Frier quickly closed the distance and looked to use her wrestling to take Leibrock down. Leibrock was eventually able to separate and the pair exchanged punches at range. Frier again clinched, but Leibrock delivered heavy knees before driving her to the mat. She rained left hands and took Frier’s back. From there, she sunk in the fight-finishing rear-naked choke.

The night opened in the bantamweight division as Auttumn Norton welcomed Canada’s Maria Djukic to the Invicta cage. Djukic wasted little time establishing her jab. Norton looked to counter, cracking Djukic with a heavy right hand off a low kick. A lead left hook from Norton sent the Canadian crashing to the canvas, but she was able to recover. Djukic leaked blood from her nose from the heavy shot. She went back to her jab and bloodied the nose of Norton. Another big right hand from Norton wobbled Djukic late in the round. Round two opened with another clean right from Norton. Djukic continued to pressure forward and ultimately walked into a massive punch that buckled her legs. Norton smelled the finish and pounded out the TKO victory.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Taneisha Tennant def. Olga Rubin by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 50-45) – for bantamweight title
Talita Bernardo def. Yana Gadelha by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 1:39
Kristina Williams def. Liana Pirosin by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 3:16
Isis Verbeek def. Melissa Oddessa by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Amber Leibrock def. Morgan Frier by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 3:09
Auttumn Norton def. Maria Djukic by TKO (punches). Round 2, 1:02


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 VenturesFight 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.

Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. Rubin Official Weigh-in Results

DENVER — On Tuesday, July 19, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. RubinThe fight card marks Invicta’s first event in Colorado, visiting ReelWorks Denver on Wednesday, July 20.

In the night’s headliner, Taneisha “Triple Threat” Tennant (4-1) will make the first defense of her bantamweight crown when she takes on former Bellator MMA No. 1 contender “Big Bad” Olga Rubin (7-2). The co-main event also takes place in the bantamweight division as UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (7-4) collides with fellow Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Yana “Naná” Gadelha (7-4).

Rounding out the lineup, Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) and Kristina “Warhorse” Williams (5-3) look to continue their ascension up the flyweight ladder, strawweight boxing veteran Melissa “La Bella Bestia” Oddessa (3-1) collides with Dutch kickboxing sensation Isis “Fight Queen” Verbeek (3-1), Amber “Touch ‘Em Up” Leibrock returns to the promotion for the first time since 2016 to meet PFL veteran “Mad Dog” Morgan Frier (4-3) at featherweight, and Auttumn “The Natural” Norton (1-1) takes on Canadian debutant “Sweet” Maria Djukic (2-0) in a bantamweight match-up.

The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets to the event are available through Eventbrite. All bouts will be broadcast on AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, starting at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT.

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

Bantamweight Title: Taneisha Tennant (134.3) vs. Olga Rubin (134.1)
Bantamweight: Talita Bernardo (135.2) vs. Yana Gadelha (135.6)
Flyweight: Liana Pirosin (126) vs. Kristina Williams (125.4)
Strawweight: Melissa Oddessa (115.1) vs. Isis Verbeek (115.5)
Featherweight: Amber Leibrock (145.6) vs. Morgan Frier (145.4)
Bantamweight: Auttumn Norton (135.4) vs. Maria Djukic (135.7)


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 VenturesFight 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.

Invicta FC 48 Fight Card Update

DENVER — The fight card for Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. Rubin on Wednesday, July 20 has undergone multiple changes.

Former title challenger Katharina Lehner (7-3) of Germany has been forced out of her co-main event match-up with UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (7-4). Replacing Lehner will be newcomer Yana “Naná” Gadelha (7-4). Like her countrywoman Bernardo, Gadelha is a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt and has secured five of her seven wins via submission.

Also dropping off the event are UFC veteran Mallory Martin (7-5) and her opponent Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (8-5). The bout has been removed from the card and the event will proceed with six fights.

Invicta FC 48 is headlined by bantamweight champion Taneisha “Triple Threat” Tennant (4-1), who will make the first defense of her title opposite former Bellator MMA No. 1 contender “Big Bad” Olga Rubin (7-2). The fight card marks Invicta’s first foray into the capital city of Colorado, touching down at ReelWorks Denver. All bouts will be broadcast on AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, starting at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT.

The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets to the event are on sale now through Eventbrite.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Taneisha Tennant vs. Olga Rubin
Bantamweight: Talita Bernardo vs. Yana Gadelha
Flyweight: Liana Pirosin vs. Kristina Williams
Strawweight: Melissa Oddessa Parker vs. Isis Verbeek
Featherweight: Amber Leibrock vs. Morgan Frier
Bantamweight: Auttumn Norton vs. Maria Djukic


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 VenturesFight 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.

Invicta FC 48 Fight Card Complete; Full Broadcast Plans Revealed

DENVER — The lineup for Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. Rubin is now complete and fans from around the globe will be able to watch the action-packed event live on Wednesday, July 20.

The fight card marks Invicta’s first foray into the capital city of Colorado, touching down at ReelWorks Denver. All seven bouts will be broadcast on AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, and Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, starting at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT.

The event is headlined by bantamweight champion Taneisha “Triple Threat” Tennant (4-1), who will make the first defense of her title opposite former Bellator MMA No. 1 contender “Big Bad” Olga Rubin (7-2). In the co-main event — also taking place in the bantamweight division — former title challenger Katharina Lehner (7-3) of Germany welcomes UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (7-4) to the Invicta cage.

Completing the previously announced fight card is a strawweight match-up between IBO bantamweight boxing champion Melissa “Bella Bestia” Oddessa Parker (3-1) and Dutch kickboxing sensation Isis “Fight Queen” Verbeek (3-1). Parker will make her promotional debut, while Verbeek returns to the promotion for the first time since her MMA debut in 2018.

The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets to the event are on sale now through Eventbrite. For fans in the Mile High City, ReelWorks Denver is conveniently located in the RiNo Art District and is just minutes away from RTD’s 38th and Blake train station.

The full fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Taneisha Tennant vs. Olga Rubin
Bantamweight: Katharina Lehner vs. Talita Bernardo
Strawweight: Mallory Martin vs. Kyra Batara
Flyweight: Liana Pirosin vs. Kristina Williams
Strawweight: Melissa Oddessa Parker vs. Isis Verbeek
Featherweight: Amber Leibrock vs. Morgan Frier
Bantamweight: Auttumn Norton vs. Maria Djukic

Media attendance is welcomed and encouraged. Credentials can be requested 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.

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 VenturesFight 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.