Vote

Kansas City Hosts Invicta FC 12 on April 24

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the new date and location of its next event.

Invicta FC 12 will take place Friday, April 24 from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Mo. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. 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.

Ticket information and additional bouts for Invicta FC 12 will be announced at a later date.

About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors and identifying and developing future superstars of the sport. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

Vote

Invicta Visits Las Vegas on July 9, Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino Headlines

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships is headed to Las Vegas.

The promotion will make its first trip to Nevada on Thursday, July 9, as part of International Fight Week. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Headlining the event will be a featherweight title fight between champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino and a yet-to-be-determined challenger.

Cyborg successfully defended her 145-pound title at Invicta FC 11, stopping Canadian Charmaine Tweet in 46 seconds. The win marked the Brazilian’s third straight finish inside the Invicta cage.

Also slated for the July event is an atomweight title fight between Brazilian champion Herica Tiburcio and Japan’s Ayaka Hamasaki. The pair were originally expected to meet at Invicta FC 9 last fall, but after that fell through, Tiburcio submitted Michelle Waterson at Invicta FC 1o to capture the 105-pound strap.

Additional information about the event will be released in the coming months.

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).

Vote

Invicta FC 11 Results: Cyborg Stops Tweet to Retain Title, Grasso Edges Inoue

/in , /by

Los Angeles — Invicta Fighting Championships returned to action on Friday, Feb. 27, for Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet. The event took place from the Shrine Expo Hall in Los Angeles. The eight-fight event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

In the headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino put her belt on the line against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet. Cyborg needed just 46 seconds to dispatch of the challenger with punches. The Brazilian connected with a massive left hook that sent Tweet crashing to the mat. Cyborg dropped heavy shots from the top that bloodied the face of Tweet. When Tweet tried to stand, Cyborg landed another heavy shot and referee Herb Dean stepped in to halt the contest.

Mexico’s Alexa Grasso and Japan’s Mizuki Inoue put on a show in the night’s co-main event. Grasso put together beautiful combinations on the feet, bloodying the nose of Inoue in round one. Grasso added kicks at the end of her flurries, turning the lead leg of Inoue red. When Inoue looked to take the fight to the ground in round two, Grasso attacked with an inverted triangle-kimura. Inoue went for a finish in round three, putting Grasso on her back and landing heavy shots. In the end, it wasn’t enough, as Grasso earned the decision win and kept her unbeaten record intact.

Making her strawweight debut, DeAnna Bennett remained undefeated with a hard-fought decision win over Norma Rueda Center. Bennett scored with combinations on the feet early, but used strong clinch work to control the action in the later rounds and claim victory.

Mexican bantamweight Irene Aldana picked up her second straight, first-round finish by rear-naked choke, submitting veteran Colleen Schneider. Aldana took advantage when Schneider tripped on the cage and immediately went for the finish. She took the back of Schneider and coerced the tap in just 65 seconds.

Jamie Moyle moved to 2-0 as a professional by choking opponent J.J. Aldrich unconscious with a first-round rear-naked choke. Moyle caught a kick from Aldrich and brought the fight to the ground. Once there, she took Aldrich’s back and secured the fight-finishing choke.

Strawweights Amy Montenegro and Brianna Van Buren battled hard for three rounds, with Montenegro emerging with a unanimous decision win. The pair traded dominant positions and submission attempts early, but it was Montenegro’s control from the clinch that proved to be the difference, as she earned the win on the scorecards.

Christine Stanley wasted little time in her Invicta debut, stopping late-notice opponent Laura Salazar by first-round TKO. Stanley rocked Salazar early, but Salazar showed heart and took the fight to the ground. Stanley scored with vicious elbows to earn the finish.

In a match-up between two flyweights making their pro debuts, Aspen Ladd bested Ana Carolina Vidal by first-round TKO. The Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Vidal took the fight to the ground quickly, but Ladd reversed the position and scored with heavy punches from the top to earn the stoppage.

OFFICIAL RESULTS

Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino def. Charmaine Tweet by TKO (punches). Round 1, 0:46 – for featherweight title
Alexa Grasso def. Mizuki Inoue by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
DeAnna Bennett def. Norma Rueda Center by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Irene Aldana def. Colleen Schneider by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 1:05
Jamie Moyle def. J.J. Aldrich by technical submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 2:20
Amy Montenegro def. Brianna Van Buren by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Christine Stanley def. Laura Salazar by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 2:59
Aspen Ladd def. Ana Carolina Vidal by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 4:21

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).

Vote

Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet Official Weigh-in Results

/in /by

Los Angeles — On Thursday, Feb. 26, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles.

The night’s main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Expo Hall. In the headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The four-fight preliminary card will stream live and free, with the action kicking off at 10 p.m. ET.

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

MAIN CARD

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (144.5) vs. Charmaine Tweet (144.75)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (115) vs. Mizuki Inoue (115.25)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (116.2)+ vs. Norma Rueda Center (116.8)^
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (135) vs. Colleen Schneider (135.33)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (115.5) vs. J.J. Aldrich (115.7)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (115.5) vs. Amy Montenegro (115.5)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (125.5) vs. Laura Salazar (128.9)*
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (125.75) vs. Aspen Ladd (125.5)

+ Bennett weighed in at 116 pounds on her second attempt and was fined 15 percent of her fight purse

^ Center elected not to cut any additional weight and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

* Salazar was not allowed to cut any additional weight and was fined 25 percent of her fight 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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

Vote

Laura Salazar Replaces Rachael Cummins at Invicta FC 11

/in /by

Los Angeles — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced a change to the fight card for Invicta FC 11, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27, in Los Angeles.

Flyweight Rachael Cummins (2-2) has suffered an injury in training and is out of her preliminary card bout against Christine Stanley (3-1).

Replacing Cummins on just days’ notice will be undefeated Californian Laura Salazar (3-0). The 31-year-old fighter has finished all three of her fights via first-round TKO.

The Invicta FC 11 main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Expo Hall. In the headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The four-fight preliminary card will stream live and free, with the action kicking off at 10 p.m. ET.

The updated fight card can be found below:

MAIN CARD

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Charmaine Tweet (6-4)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (6-0) vs. Mizuki Inoue (8-3)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (6-0) vs. Norma Rueda Center (3-1)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (4-1) vs. Colleen Schneider (6-5)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (1-0) vs. J.J. Aldrich (1-0)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (3-1) vs. Amy Montenegro (5-1)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (3-1) vs. Laura Salazar (3-0)
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0) vs. Aspen Ladd (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).

Vote

Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet Prelims Stream Live and Free

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced that the four-fight preliminary card for Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles, will stream live and free on YouTube. The action kicks off live at 10 p.m. ET.

The night’s main card will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Expo Hall. In the headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The full fight card can be found below:

MAIN CARD

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Charmaine Tweet (6-4)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (6-0) vs. Mizuki Inoue (8-3)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (6-0) vs. Norma Rueda Center (3-1)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (4-1) vs. Colleen Schneider (6-5)

PRELIMINARY CARD

Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (1-0) vs. J.J. Aldrich (1-0)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (3-1) vs. Amy Montenegro (5-1)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (3-1) vs. Laura Salazar (3-0)
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0) vs. Aspen Ladd (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).

Vote

Decorated Grappler Sijara Eubanks Latest to Ink Invicta FC Contract

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Flyweight division be warned.

Invicta Fighting Championships has signed Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt Sijara Eubanks to its ever-expanding roster of 125-pound fighters.

The Team Lloyd Irvin product has amassed two submissions in her brief amateur career, but the multiple-time IBJJF champion is ready for her professional debut in 2015.

“It’s crazy, I’m so happy to be fighting for Invicta,” Eubanks. “I’ve been working my butt for the last six years, making sacrifices, training hard and it’s finally coming to fruition. I can’t wait to jump in there and fight.”

The experience Eubanks has earned on the grappling mats is something she expects to aid her in professional career.

“Grappling is a major component of MMA and jiu-jitsu is a very valuable skill set to have; control, scrambling ability, submissions, etc.  I believe I have some of the best jiu-jitsu in the game and my style will transition well,” she proclaimed.

The Springfield, Mass. native is anxious to put her stamp on the flyweight division.

“I’m here to bring it. It’s going to be exciting, it’s going to be aggressive, it’s gonna be fun to watch and I can’t wait to put on a show,” she declared. “I’m coming for that belt and whoever I need to fight to get 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).

Vote

Colleen Schneider Joins Invicta FC, Faces Irene Aldana at Invicta FC 11

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced a change to the fight card for Invicta FC 11, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles.

Bantamweight Melanie LaCroix (3-2) was forced out of her bout against Mexico’s Irene Aldana (4-1) due to injury.

Replacing LaCroix will be veteran Colleen Schneider (6-5). Schneider has faced some of the biggest names in the sport, including Invicta veterans DeAnna Bennett, Vanessa Mariscal, Liz Carmouche and Sarah D’Alelio. The 32-year-old has won five of her last six outings, with four finishes along the way.

Invicta FC 11 will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Auditorium. In the night’s headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The updated fight card for can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Charmaine Tweet (6-4)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (6-0) vs. Mizuki Inoue (8-3)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (6-0) vs. Norma Rueda Center (3-1)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (4-1) vs. Colleen Schneider (6-5)
Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (1-0) vs. J.J. Aldrich (1-0)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (3-1) vs. Amy Montenegro (5-1)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (3-1) vs. Rachael Cummins (2-2)
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0) vs. Aspen Ladd (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).

Vote

Lynn Alvarez Injured, DeAnna Bennett Now Meets Norma Rueda Center at Invicta FC 11

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced that strawweight Lynn Alvarez (6-3) has suffered an injury in training and is out of Invicta FC 11, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles.

Alvarez was slated to make her return to the promotion, having last fought in the Invicta cage in 2012.

Stepping in for Alvarez against the undefeated DeAnna Bennett (6-0) is another Invicta veteran, Norma Rueda Center (3-1). The 27-year-old was last in action in October, notching a decision win over Michelle Nicolini.

Invicta FC 11 will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Auditorium. In the night’s headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The updated fight card for can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Charmaine Tweet (6-4)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (6-0) vs. Mizuki Inoue (8-3)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (6-0) vs. Norma Rueda Center (3-1)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (4-1) vs. Melanie LaCroix (3-2)
Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (1-0) vs. J.J. Aldrich (1-0)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (3-1) vs. Amy Montenegro (5-1)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (3-1) vs. Rachael Cummins (2-2)
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0) vs. Aspen Ladd (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).

Vote

Ana Carolina Vidal Steps In Against Aspen Ladd at Invicta FC 11

/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced another change to the fight card for Invicta FC 11, which takes place Friday, Feb. 27 in Los Angeles.

Flyweight Kristi Lopez (2-0) has suffered an injury in training and is out of her scheduled bout against fellow newcomer Aspen Ladd (0-0).

Replacing Lopez against Ladd will be decorated grappler Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0). The San Diego-based fighter will be making her professional debut. The Gracie South Bay Jiu-Jitsu product’s lone amateur bout came in late 2014 and saw her submit her opponent in under two minutes.

Invicta FC 11 will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass from the Shrine Auditorium. In the night’s headline bout, Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) will return to action and defend her title against Canadian challenger Charmaine ‘Not So Sweet’ Tweet (6-4).

The updated fight card for can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane ‘Cyborg’ Justino (12-1, 1 NC) vs. Charmaine Tweet (6-4)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (6-0) vs. Mizuki Inoue (8-3)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (6-0) vs. Lynn Alvarez (6-3)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (4-1) vs. Melanie LaCroix (3-2)
Strawweight: Jamie Moyle (1-0) vs. J.J. Aldrich (1-0)
Strawweight: Brianna Van Buren (3-1) vs. Amy Montenegro (5-1)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (3-1) vs. Rachael Cummins (2-2)
Flyweight: Ana Carolina Vidal (0-0) vs. Aspen Ladd (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).