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Invicta FC Heads to Denver on July 20 with Bantamweight Title Clash

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DENVER — Invicta Fighting Championships is heading to the Mile High City.

The world’s leading combat sports promotion for women will make its debut in the Centennial State of Colorado on Wednesday, July 20, touching down at at Reelworks Denver with Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. Rubin.

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). Tennant established herself amongst the division’s elite by winning three fights in one night to capture the third Phoenix Tournament, before cementing herself as champion by defeating Lisa Verzosa at Invicta FC 44. The Russian-Israeli Rubin — who now trains in England — will make her first Invicta appearance riding the momentum of a victory over Brazil’s Priscila de Souza in her 135-pound debut.

The co-main event also takes place in the bantamweight division as former title challenger Katharina Lehner (7-3) of Germany welcomes UFC veteran Talita Bernardo (7-4) to the Invicta cage. Lehner will be competing under the Invicta banner for the fourth time. Brazil’s Bernardo recently scored a win over fellow Octagon alum Lucie Pudilová.

Also featured on the card will be a strawweight affair between the returning Mallory Martin (7-5) and newcomer Kyra “Mogwai” Batara (8-5). Denver’s Martin will fight in her own backyard following a four-fight stint with the UFC. Nevada’s Batara brings a wealth of experience to the promotion, having faced Invicta veterans Kanako Murata, Paulina Granados and Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc.

Rounding out the event, Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) and Kristina “Warhorse” Williams (5-3) look to continue their ascension up the flyweight ladder, strawweight boxing veteran Melissa “Bella Bestia” Oddessa Parker (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. Invicta FC 48 will mark the return of live action on AXS TV — as well as digital platforms — 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:

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

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

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

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Invicta FC 47 Results: Ducote Batters Zappitella to Retain Strawweight Belt

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, May 11, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella from Memorial Hall.

Strawweight Emily Ducote is still the Invicta champion after stopping former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella after two rounds. Ducote showed great patience and composure to start the fight. She stayed long with her punches and countered whenever Zappitella came forward. Zappitella tried to use her wrestling, but was stuffed by the champion. The challenger stuck with it along the fence, but could not bring the fight to her world. Ducote went after Zappitella’s left eye in round two, battering it with punches and causing a cut. She stunned Zappitella with a right hand and kept attacking the same spot with precision. Zappitella blinked repeatedly as blood poured out of her eyelid. The doctor was called in to inspect the damage between rounds and halted the contest to protect Zappitella from further harm.

The co-main event featured featherweight Chelsea Chandler edging out Courtney King after three hard-fought rounds. Chandler marched forward immediately and pushed King to the fence. She brought the fight to the ground and moved to mount. She looked to take the back, but King was patient and recovered her guard. She kicked Chandler off and returned to the feet, but Chandler quickly brought the fight back to the clinch and the ground. Ground strikes opened a cut on King’s left eye, but she showed her resiliency to once again get back to her feet. King started round two with a bang, sitting down Chandler with a heavy punch. She flurried hard with more punches, but Chandler was able to recover and clinch. King’s left eye bled profusely, however she did not back down. A knee to the midsection from King prompted Chandler to close the distance, putting King on her back as the round expired. King probed with kicks in the final stanza, frustrating Chandler. She responded with a takedown, landing in the full guard. King showed an active guard, but Chandler was able to pass to half. King tried to scramble and Chandler punished her with punches. Chandler moved to side control in the center of the cage late in the fight to seal the decision win.

It didn’t take long for atomweight Jillian DeCoursey to re-establish herself as a threat in the division, as she absolutely demolished fellow New York native Lindsey VanZandt in just 61 seconds. The pair traded combinations early in the fight as they looked to find an opening. That opening came in the form of a right hook from DeCoursey, which caught VanZandt flush on the jaw and turned out her lights. The referee rushed in to pull DeCoursey off and she celebrated emphatically.

Former training partners collided when Brazilians Liana Pirosin and Janaisa Morandin met in a flyweight contest. Pirosin used her length to keep Morandin on the outside from the fight’s opening bell. Morandin wasn’t shy about firing heavy leg kicks, but struggled to get into the pocket. Pirosin’s confidence grew as the round progressed, as she peppered Morandin from range. Morandin powered into a takedown, but couldn’t keep the fight on the ground. Morandin again looked to close the distance and clinch in the second frame, but Pirosin shrugged her off. Pirosin continuously fired a lead-leg head kick to keep Morandin honest at range. Morandin pressed forward and found success when she was able to get inside. Her powerful leg kicks turned the legs of Pirosin red. The length and volume of Pirosin still proved to be the difference for most of the round. After exchanging heavy right hands in the opening portion of the final round, Morandin drove Pirosin to the mat. She moved to mount with a guillotine attempt and looked to take Pirosin’s back. Morandin kept the top position and looked for a finish, but it did not come. The judges were split in their verdict, but it was Pirosin who took the decision win.

In the night’s lone bantamweight clash, Serena DeJesus continued her winning streak after a back-and-forth battle with Brittney Cloudy. Both fighters looked to establish their range early with Cloudy popping her jab and DeJesus firing kicks. The hands of Cloudy scored with volume, but DeJesus scored with thundering body kicks. In round two, a big left from DeJesus backed up Cloudy and she let out a loud yell. Cloudy briefly scored a takedown, but DeJesus powered back to her feet. The pair traded heavy shots in the clinch as Cloudy fired knees and DeJesus answered with elbows. DeJesus was the aggressor in the fight’s last five minutes, pressing forward and landing combinations. A liver kick stunned Cloudy for a moment and DeJesus looked for a finish. It would not come, but DeJesus captured victory on the scorecards.

Strawweight Fatima Kline remained undefeated after stopping a very tough Sidney Trillo. After a brief feeling-out process, Kline ducked under a punch and put Trillo on her back. She fired heavy punches along the fence and looked to take Trillo’s back. Eventually Kline secured the position and applied a body triangle. She worked for a choke, but Trillo showcased great defense. Kline countered well to open the second stanza. She secured a body lock and put Trillo on the mat again. From side control, Kline looked for multiple chokes before rolling for an armbar. Trillo stayed calm and escaped to survive the round. Kline used a big combination to drive into a massive takedown in round three. She mounted Trillo and unleashed a heavy barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene.

The night kicked off with a strawweight match-up between newcomer Alyssa Linduska  and former boxing Olympian Jennifer Chieng. Linduska opened the bout with an onslaught of kicks to keep Chieng at range. Chieng found her timing with her jab and peppered the face of Linduska. A big right hand from Chieng landed clean, prompting Linduska to flurry forward and secure the fight’s first takedown. In round two, Linduska again took the fight to the mat, but Chieng countered and gained top position. Chieng eventually took Linduska’s back, but could not find a finish. The final frame opened with Chieng looking for a throw, but Linduska reversed it and landed in Chieng’s guard. Chieng threw up a triangle attempt from her back. Linduska delivered heavy knees to defend the submission attempt and finished the fight on top. When the scorecards were revealed, it was Linduska who earned the decision win in her pro debut.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Emily Ducote def. Alesha Zappitella by TKO (doctor’s stoppage). Round 2, 5:00 – for strawweight title
Chelsea Chandler def. Courtney King by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Jillian DeCoursey def. Lindsey VanZandt by knockout (right hook). Round 1, 1:01
Liana Pirosin def. Janaisa Morandin by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Serena DeJesus def. Brittney Cloudy by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fatima Kline def. Sidney Trillo by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 4:45
Alyssa Linduska def. Jennifer Chieng by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

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

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

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Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella Official Weigh-in Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – On Tuesday, May 10, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella.

The event — which takes place Wednesday, May 11 and can be watched live and free on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page — features a strawweight title bout between current champion Emily Ducote (10-6) and former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off one of the greatest knockouts in Invicta history, stopping UFC veteran Danielle Taylor via head kick to secure the 115-pound belt and a spot on Sportscenter’s Top 10. The Ohio native Zappitella is coming off a pair of battles with Brazilian Jéssica Delboni. Prior to the pair’s second meeting, the 27-year-old declared her intentions to move up to the strawweight division and the decorated wrestler will face an immediate test opposite the division’s champion.

The card includes six additional match-ups, as former headliner Courtney “The Lion” King (4-2) collides with California’s Chelsea Chandler (3-1) in the featherweight co-feature, Phoenix Tournament finalist Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-5) squares off with fellow New York native “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (4-3) at atomweight, and former strawweight title challenger Janaisa “Evil Princess” Morandin (10-4) of Brazil takes on countrywoman Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) in a flyweight bout.

Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella takes place from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

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

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote (114.4) vs. Alesha Zappitella (114.9)
Featherweight: Courtney King (145.5) vs. Chelsea Chandler (145.8)
Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt (106) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (105.9)
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin (125.7) vs. Liana Pirosin (125.9)
Bantamweight: Serena DeJesus (135.6) vs. Brittney Cloudy (135.3)
Strawweight: Fatima Kline (115.9) vs. Sidney Trillo (114.8)
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng (115.6) vs. Alyssa Linduska (115.6)

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.

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Invicta FC 47 Fight Card Finalized, Tickets On Sale Now

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the full fight card for its upcoming Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella event, which takes place Wednesday, May 11 from Memorial Hall.

In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Emily Ducote (10-6) meets former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of UFC veteran Danielle Taylor. Zappitella was most recently in action opposite Brazilian Jéssica Delboni. Prior to the bout with Delboni, Zappitella made it clear that 115 pounds was in her immediate future.

Former bantamweight title challenger Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (6-2) has been forced out of her planned match-up with the surging Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (4-2). Stepping in against DeJesus will be returning Invicta veteran “The Quiet Storm” Brittney Cloudy (4-3).

Also joining the previously announced bouts is another strawweight match-up, as grappling ace Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (1-0) collides with fellow unbeaten Sidney “Sid Vicious” Trillo (2-0).

Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The event will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.

The full fight card can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote vs. Alesha Zappitella
Featherweight: Courtney King vs. Chelsea Chandler
Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin vs. Liana Pirosin
Bantamweight: Serena DeJesus vs. Brittney Cloudy
Strawweight: Fatima Kline vs. Sidney Trillo
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng vs. Alyssa Linduska

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

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

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Ducote vs. Zappitella Strawweight Title Clash Headlines Invicta FC 47 on Wednesday, May 11

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships has revealed the fight card for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella.

The event — which takes place Wednesday, May 11 — features a strawweight title bout between current champion Emily Ducote (10-6) and former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off one of the greatest knockouts in Invicta history, stopping UFC veteran Danielle Taylor via head kick to secure the 115-pound belt and a spot on Sportscenter’s Top 10. The Ohio native Zappitella is coming off a pair of battles with Brazilian Jéssica Delboni. Prior to the pair’s second meeting, the 27-year-old declared her intentions to move up to the strawweight division and the decorated wrestler will face an immediate test opposite the division’s champion.

In the night’s co-main event, Colorado’s Courtney “The Lion” King (4-2) collides with Stockton, California’s Chelsea Chandler (3-1) in a featherweight match-up. King was last in action opposite Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison in the Invicta FC 43 headliner. Chandler rides the momentum of three straight victories under the Invicta banner.

A pair of New York natives meet in the atomweight division as Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-5) will square off with “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (4-3). The pair met previously as amateurs in 2016, with DeCoursey besting VanZandt by decision.

Former bantamweight title challenger Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (6-2) returns to action opposite the surging Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (4-2). Verzosa went five rounds with current champion Taneisha Tennant in her last outing, while DeJesus has scored back-to-back wins over UFC veterans Lauren Mueller and Elizabeth Phillips.

Rounding out the fight card, Brazil’s Janaisa “Evil Princess” Morandin (10-4) takes on countrywoman Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) in a flyweight bout, and boxing Olympian Jennifer “Dugwen” Chieng (1-1) welcomes Alyssa “Lightning” Linduska (debut) to the promotion at strawweight.

The location, ticketing details and broadcast information for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella will be announced in the coming weeks.

The full fight card can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote vs. Alesha Zappitella
Featherweight: Courtney King vs. Chelsea Chandler
Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Bantamweight: Lisa Verzosa vs. Serena DeJesus
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin vs. Liana Pirosin
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng vs. Alyssa Linduska

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

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Invicta FC 46 Results: Rodríguez Retains After Torquato Rematch, Gomes Shocks Dudieva

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, March 9, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato 2 from Memorial Hall. The event was simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie.

The flyweight title was once again on the line between Mexico’s Karina Rodríguez and Brazilian challenger Daiana Torquato. Torquato opened the rematch with a heavy leg kick. Rodríguez responded with a jab-straight combination to slow Torquato’s advance. Rodríguez turned up her own forward march, willingly trading with Torquato inside the pocket. Rodríguez closed the distance and Torquato delivered a pair of knees. Rodríguez returned the favor as the fighters disengaged. Torquato earned an outside-trip takedown late in the round. The second round began with Rodríguez throwing long punches to control the range. Torquato continued her assault on the lead leg of the Mexican fighter. The Brazilian dragged Rodríguez to the ground, but she quickly bounced back to her feet. Torquato stuck with it and brought the fight to the canvas to close the frame. In round three, both fighters mixed up their attacks. Both threw with power and kept one another guessing with kicks. The lead leg of Rodríguez bruised from the low kicks of Torquato. The championship rounds opened with power shots from both fighters. Torquato connected with a right hand and the pair clinched. Rodríguez delivered a great elbow on the break and they again returned to range. Torquato’s low-kick attack did not relent, but nor did Rodríguez’s advance. A heavy body kick from Rodríguez was turned into a body lock by Torquato. She dragged the fight to the ground and managed to scramble to the top position. Rodríguez scored with an upkick to end the frame. The final round opened with a trade of knees in the clinch. Rodríguez landed another big elbow, but was answered with a heavy right hand by Torquato. Torquato was able to duck under and secure a body lock, but Rodríguez fought her way out of it. The Brazilian kept looking for a decisive takedown, but Rodríguez stayed on the feet and encouraged Torquato to brawl. The two, talented warriors went to the scorecards again, but this time the cards were even closer. One judge scored it for the challenger Torquato, but the other two overruled, allowing Rodríguez to retain her title.

The co-main event kicked off with fireworks as newcomer Denise Gomes took on UFC veteran Milana Dudieva. Dudieva fired a right hand down the pipe to back up the Brazilian. That was short-lived, however as Gomes starting powering forward. After trading shots in the clinch, Dudieva secured a takedown. Gomes attempted a leg lock, but absorbed heavy shots for her troubles. Dudieva took the back and dropped two-handed strikes. The Brazilian was resilient, escaping and taking Dudieva’s back late. Gomes was relentless with her pressure, staying in the pocket and swinging. An errant kick landed low on Dudieva and was followed shortly after by an eye poke. Once the action continued, Dudieva made Gomes pay for the fouls. She dropped the Brazilian with an overhand right and flurried hard for a finish. Gomes survived and returned to the feet, only to get dropped a second time. Dudieva attacked recklessly to close the frame, but she could not put Gomes away. Gomes went for broke in round three and her constant pressure finally paid off. She backed Dudieva to the fence and unloaded with heavy punches. A knee from Gomes sent Dudieva crashing to the mat and after a barrage of punches, the referee intervened to halt the contest and hand Gomes the surprising comeback win.

Liz Tracy earned her third win under the Invicta banner, besting former title challenger Danielle Taylor. Tracy probed with her front kick to gauge range. Taylor remained outside and looked for a way to get inside boxing range. Tracy flurried forward, but was countered by punches from Taylor. A level change from Tracy allowed her to trip Taylor to the canvas. She bullied her to the fence from the half guard. Taylor attacked from her back with little success. Short shots connected for Tracy and she was able to pass to mount. Once in the dominant position, Tracy unloaded with punches. Taylor was forced to give up her back to survive. Tracy worked hard for the finish, but could not secure it. Round two began with more probing from range, as both fighters tried to take control. Tracy frequently switched stances and tried to clinch. Taylor connected with a heavy shot as Tracy came forward, leading to a wild exchange. Another shot from Tracy was stuffed by Taylor, but Tracy used a head-and-arm throw to get the fight back to the mat. In the last round, Taylor continued to struggle in closing the distance. Tracy was able to sit outside and use her reach. Tracy returned to the clinch late in the fight and hung on Taylor against the cage. Taylor separated in the final minute, but was unable to land the fight-finishing shots. There were no doubts on the scorecards as Tracy claimed victory.

Oklahoma’s Kristina Williams and French Polynesia’s Flore Hani battled hard for three rounds in their flyweight match-up. Hani pressured early, but immediately found trouble in the length of Williams. The taller fighter kept Hani at range and delivered a barrage of strikes. Hani’s lead leg turned red to match her shorts from the low kicks of Williams. Hani tried to clinch, but found little success as Williams was able to land with elbows and separate. The combinations of Williams found their mark again and again. The face of Hani swelled from the onslaught. In the second round, Hani powered into a double-leg takedown along the fence. She moved Williams to the center of the cage and neutralized the offense of Williams. When the fight returned to the upright position, Hani scored with knees. With the fight tied heading to the third, the pair exchanged combinations. The volume of Williams continued to increase as the round progressed. Hani shot for a takedown, but Williams was able to sprawl. Hani secured the clinch late in the fight, landing more knees and making it difficult on the judges. The judges were split in their verdict, but it was Williams who was victorious in her Invicta debut.

An atomweight contest opened the night as Brazil’s Monique Adriane clashed with veteran Paulina Granados. A right hand from Adriane clipped Granados right after the opening bell. The fight quickly found the mat and the Brazilian looked for a choke. Granados remained calm, reversing position and moving to the top. Adriane worked back to the feet and separated. She connected with another heavy right hand, prompting Granados to shoot for a takedown. Adriane stuffed it and landed with an elbow on the break. There was more punishment on the feet from Adriane as she continued to open up. She finished the round with a late takedown. There was more urgency from Granados to open the second frame, as she pressured forward. Adriane was patient from range, scoring with combinations and low kicks. Granados looked to grapple late in the frame, but Adriane again showcased a great sprawl. The Brazilian attacked the lead leg of Granados to start the final stanza. She sprawled and moved to the back of Granados, but Granados was able to scramble to the top. Adriane again worked back to her feet and turned up her aggression. She battered Granados with punches to the body and the head, and looked to finish with a big knee. Granados survived to the final horn, but Adriane swept the scorecards to earn her first Invicta win.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Karina Rodríguez def. Daiana Torquato by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46) – for flyweight title
Denise Gomes def. Milana Dudieva by TKO (knee and punches). Round 3, 1:56
Liz Tracy def. Danielle Taylor by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Kristina Williams def. Flore Hani by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Monique Adriane def. Paulina Granados by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

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

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Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato 2 Official Weigh-in Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – On Tuesday, March 8, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato 2. 

In the night’s headliner, current flyweight champion Karina Rodríguez (9-4) will take on a familiar face in Daiana Torquato (10-4). Rodríguez was originally slated to face Torquato’s countrywoman, Ketlen Souza, but the Brazilian was forced out of the event, opening the door for Torquato to once again battle for the title. Rodríguez and Torquato met previously at Invicta FC on AXS, with the Mexican Rodríguez capturing gold after five, hard-fought rounds. The decision loss snapped a six-fight winning streak for Torquato and now she’ll have the opportunity to avenge the defeat.

Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato 2 takes place Wednesday, March 9 from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The action will be will be simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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

Flyweight Title: Karina Rodríguez (123.8) vs. Daiana Torquato (124.6)
Flyweight: Milana Dudieva (125.9) vs. Denise Gomes (125.9)
Strawweight: Danielle Taylor (115.6) vs. Liz Tracy (117.8)*
Flyweight: Kristina Williams (125.2) vs. Flore Hani (125.2)
Atomweight: Paulina Granados (105.6) vs. Monique Adriane (105.4)

* – Tracy missed the strawweight limit of 116 pounds and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

Also, the planned strawweight contest between grappling ace Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (1-0) and Mexico’s Nadia Vera (3-1) has been removed from the fight card.

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

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Karina Rodríguez vs. Daiana Torquato Title Rematch Now Headlines Invicta FC 46

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – The fight card for Invicta FC 46 has undergone some late changes.

Brazil’s Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3) has been forced out of her flyweight title challenge. Stepping in to face champion Karina Rodríguez (9-4) will be a familiar face in Daiana Torquato (10-4). The Brazilian has been elevated from the co-main event to once again battle for the title. Rodríguez and Torquato met previously at Invicta FC on AXS, with the Mexican Rodríguez capturing gold after five, hard-fought rounds. The decision loss for Torquato snapped a six-fight winning streak and she’ll now have the opportunity to avenge the defeat on short notice.

As a result of the main event shuffling, UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (12-8) will now welcome Brazil’s Denise Gomes (4-1) to the Invicta cage. Gomes rides the momentum of four straight victories, including three by way of knockout.

Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato 2 takes place Wednesday, March 9 from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The action will be will be simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Karina Rodríguez vs. Daiana Torquato
Flyweight: Milana Dudieva vs. Denise Gomes
Strawweight: Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
Flyweight: Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
Atomweight: Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
Strawweight: Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

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

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Invicta FC Partners with Verdict MMA

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s largest all-women’s mixed martial arts organization, announced today a new partnership with Verdict MMA, the purveyor of the Global Scorecard.

The agreement will be featured at Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Souza on Wednesday, March 9. Fans, media and anyone in combat sports can submit their scorecards in real time during the event, providing valuable data for everyone in the industry to reference.

“I’m excited for Invicta FC to work with Verdict MMA,” stated Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “It’s a great opportunity for our fans to engage in scoring alongside our open scoring with the Kansas Athletic Commission.”

“Working with Verdict MMA will drive engagement and expose more fans to Invicta FC events,” said Ariel Shnerer, VP of Business Development for Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc., the parent company of Invicta FC. “This partnership is an important step as we look toward integrating premium sports betting and fantasy experiences, increasing the ways in which Invicta FC’s passionate fans can engage with our live events.”

Verdict MMA was established in 2018 and has been utilized in more than 50 countries. The application is available through the App Store and Google Play. The company has been featured during live events across the globe.

Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Souza is headlined by Mexico’s Karina Rodríguez (9-4), who puts her belt on the line against Brazilian newcomer Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3). Rodríguez captured gold after defeating Brazil’s Daiana Torquato last year. Souza enters the Invicta cage having stopped eight of her 11 wins by knockout. The event takes place from Memorial Hall and begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite.

The full fight card for the event is below:

Flyweight Title: Karina Rodríguez vs. Ketlen Souza
Flyweight: Daiana Torquato vs. Milana Dudieva
Strawweight: Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
Flyweight: Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
Atomweight: Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
Strawweight: Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

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

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Invicta FC 46 Fight Card Finalized, Tickets On Sale Now

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the full fight card for its upcoming Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Souza event, which takes place Wednesday, March 9 from Memorial Hall.

In the night’s main event, Mexico’s Karina Rodríguez (9-4) defends her 125-pound belt opposite Brazilian newcomer Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3). Rodríguez earned the title after a five-round battle against Brazil’s Daiana Torquato. The veteran rides the momentum of three victories in her last four appearances, including wins over UFC alums DeAnna Bennett and Milana Dudieva. The 26-year-old Souza will step into the Invicta cage for the first time carrying a three-fight winning streak. A proven finisher, Souza has stopped eight of her 11 wins by knockout.

Joining the previously announced bouts is another flyweight match-up, as Kristina “Warhorse” Williams (4-3) makes her promotional debut against French Polynesia’s Flore “Aito Hine” Hani (4-1). Also, Mexico’s Nadia Vera (3-1) will kick off the night’s action against grappling ace Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (1-0) in a strawweight affair.

Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Souza will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. Broadcast details for the event will be announced in the near future.

The full fight card can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Karina Rodríguez vs. Ketlen Souza
Flyweight: Daiana Torquato vs. Milana Dudieva
Strawweight: Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
Flyweight: Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
Atomweight: Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
Strawweight: Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

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 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.