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Invicta FC 42 Results: Zappitella Finishes Cummins with Von Flue Choke, Captures Atomweight Title

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Thursday, Sept. 17, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella. The entire fight card aired exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

Alesha Zappitella is the new atomweight champion after a fourth-round submission victory over Ashley Cummins in the night’s headliner. After a feeling-out process on the feet, Cummins connected with a massive right hand that wobbled Zappitella. Cummins followed it with two more right hands, prompting Zappitella to shoot for a takedown. After initially stuffing the shot, Cummins ended up on her back. She attacked the neck of Zappitella with a guillotine choke, but Zappitella was able to finish the round on top. Cummins scored with a counter right hand early in round two and Zappitella took the fight to the fence. She worked hard for a takedown, but Cummins used double underhooks to keep the fight standing. Zappitella came forward more frequently, but the counter punches from Cummins kept her at bay. The third round opened with a low single-leg takedown from Zappitella. She passed to half guard and then to side control. Using her wrestling prowess, Zappitella controlled Cummins for the majority of the round. Early in the fourth round, Zappitella took the fight to the ground and Cummins again looked for a guillotine choke. Zappitella was able to pass and turn the tides on Cummins. She applied a Von Flue choke in the center of the cage. Cummins tried to defend, but was ultimately forced to submit and give Zappitella the title.

Former bantamweight title challengers Lisa Verzosa and Raquel Canuto squared off in the night’s co-main event. The veteran Canuto was patient with her attack, keeping Verzosa at range. Canuto mixed up her strikes, landing body kicks and frequent right hands. Verzosa did not panic, landing counters from the outside. The opening round was razor-close and the judges were split after the first five minutes. In the second round, Verzosa exhibited clean technique, landing jab-cross combinations with regularity. Canuto found a home for her right hand, but was matched repeatedly by her younger opponent. The decorated grappler Canuto looked to bring the fight to the ground in the final frame. Verzosa was able to keep the fight on the feet, but Canuto recaptured her vintage form, battering Verzosa with punches. She really pushed the action, firing head kicks and looking for a finish. It would not come and the fight was sent to the judges. They were split in their verdict, but it was Verzosa who walked away victorious.

Brazilians Jéssica Delboni and Herica Tiburcio squared off in a strawweight bout. The former atomweights showcased their speed right away, trading combination after combination. Delboni was the aggressor, frequently flurrying forward with punches. Tiburcio looked to counter and caught her countrywoman with some heavy shots. The volume of Delboni was the story of the opening frame. Delboni continued to press forward in round two, firing punches. Tiburcio initiated the clinch and scored with knees. A takedown attempt from Tiburcio was stuffed, but she started to pick up the pace as the round progressed. The pair answered one another’s strikes until the round came to a close. Tiburcio came out firing in the final round. She marched forward and took the fight to Delboni. Tiburcio worked hard to bring the fight to the ground, but she couldn’t put Delboni on the mat. Despite her late efforts, it wasn’t enough, as all three judges tallied the bout for Delboni.

Flyweights Victoria Leonardo and Liz Tracy clashed in the night’s second bout. Leonardo landed a front kick to the face of Tracy to open the action. The pair exchanged combinations for the majority of the round, with Tracy starting to find a home for her right hand as the round progressed. She changed levels and put Leonardo on her back late in the round, but Leonardo was able to sweep and return to her feet. In round two, Tracy sought another takedown, but Leonardo was able to spring back up and move to Tracy’s back while standing. She used the position to score a takedown of her own. Tracy used a heel hook attempt to work back to her feet. Leonardo finished the round strong with a late flurry. The final round was a back-and-forth affair. Both fighters sought takedowns, but could not complete them. Leonardo was a little busier on the feet and that would prove to be the difference as all three judges scored it in her favor.

The night kicked off with a 120-pound catchweight bout featuring Invicta vet Helen Peralta and the promotional debut of boxing Olympian Jennifer Chieng. Peralta came out kicking, attacking the lead leg of the boxer Chieng. The fight found the clinch and Peralta showcased her strength, landing a big elbow on the break. Chieng made a mistake and found herself with Peralta on top to close out the first frame. The second stanza was largely spent in the clinch, as Peralta bullied Chieng around the cage. She scored with short elbows and knees. Chieng struggled to break free and was hurt by heavy shots late in the round, causing a hematoma on her forehead. The final round was again all Peralta, who muscled her less experienced opponent around the cage. She worked the body with punches and convinced all three judges to reward her the victory.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Alesha Zappitella def. Ashley Cummins by submission (Von Flue choke). Round 4, 1:20 – for atomweight title
Lisa Verzosa def. Raquel Canuto by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Jéssica Delboni def. Herica Tiburcio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Victoria Leonardo def. Liz Tracy by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Helen Peralta def. Jennifer Chieng by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)

About Invicta FC:

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

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Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella Official Weigh-in Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, Sept. 16, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella. The event takes place in Kansas City, Kan., on Thursday, Sept. 17, with the entire card streaming live on UFC Fight Pass at a special start time of 8 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, a new atomweight champion will be crowned when longtime Invicta combatant Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-5) takes on world-class wrestler Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (7-2) for the vacant 105-pound belt. The Missouri-born, California-based Cummins is no stranger to the Invicta cage, debuting at the promotion’s inaugural event in April of 2012. She’s made a total of nine appearances under the Invicta banner, battling the likes of current UFC fighters Joanne Calderwood, Alexa Grasso and most recently, former atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey. Michigan’s Zappitella is just 25 years old, but has already compiled a championship-worthy resume. She’s been victorious in four of her five Invicta bouts, including back-to-back wins over Lindsey VanZandt and Kelly D’Angelo to cement her status as a title contender.

The co-main event will take place in the bantamweight division as Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-1) meets Raquel Canuto (6-6) — née Pa’aluhi — in a match-up of former title challengers.

Two of the event’s scheduled bouts — the bantamweight match-up between Auttumn Norton (1-1) and Brittney Cloudy (2-2) and the strawweight clash featuring Jennifer Chieng (1-0) and Flore Hani (2-1) — have been pulled from the card due to positive COVID-19 test results.

Chieng successfully weighed in at 114.9 pounds and will now face Invicta veteran Helen “Iansã” Peralta (2-1) in a 120-pound catchweight bout.

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

Atomweight Title: Ashley Cummins (104.9) vs. Alesha Zappitella (104.4)
Bantamweight: Lisa Verzosa (134.5) vs. Raquel Canuto (135.6)
Strawweight: Jéssica Delboni (115.6) vs. Herica Tiburcio (115.1)
Flyweight: Victoria Leonardo (125.7) vs. Liz Tracy (125.3)
Catchweight (120 pounds): Jennifer Chieng (114.9) vs. Helen Peralta (119.3)

About Invicta FC:

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

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Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella Fight Card Preview

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On Thursday, Sept. 17, Invicta Fighting Championships returns to action with its 42nd event from Kansas City, Kan. The event will air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. CT. Let’s take a deeper look at the night’s fight card.

Atomweight Title: Ashley Cummins vs. Alesha Zappitella

The main event will see the vacant atomweight title up for grabs, as top 105-pounders Ashley Cummins and Alesha Zappitella square off in what should be a competitive championship bout.

Cummins has been atop the Invicta rankings since re-entering the organization in 2017. The well-rounded 33-year-old came up short in her most recent bout, also an atomweight title bout, against now-UFC roster member Jinh Yu Frey. In that bout, she showcased strong striking against the reigning champion. That loss snapped a two-fight surge where she bested Jessica Delboni and Stephanie Alba.

Meeting her across the cage will be Zappitella, a two-time world qualifier in wrestling. Zappitella uses her wrestling in many of her fights, imposing her will once she’s able to muscle her opponents to the ground. Despite being just 4-foot-11, she is able to grapple with opponents because of her athleticism and improving striking. She rides a two-fight winning streak coming into this bout, besting Lindsey VanZandt and Kelly D’Angelo under the Invicta banner to earn this opportunity.

With the gold up for grabs, who will prevail? Will it be ferocious wrestler with relentless pressure? Or will Cummins finally achieve her goal of becoming the Invicta champion?

Bantamweight: Lisa Verzosa vs. Raquel Canuto

After three years away from the cage, Invicta staple Raquel Canuto — nee Pa’aluhi — makes her return to the company. In her way will be Lisa Verzosa, a top bantamweight prospect looking to fight her way into another potential title fight.

Canuto is a typical tough-as-nails Hawaiian with an excellent chin and exciting striking style. She stepped away from the cage starting in 2018 to really focus on her submission grappling, and has been partaking in high-level grappling tournaments ever since. She’s also earned her BJJ black belt in that time, which is proof that her ground game is a strength. Her cage time is quality as well, as she’s fought fighters such as two-division UFC champ Amanda Nunes, as well former UFC title challengers Sara McMann and Raquel Pennington.

Verzosa is just 24 years old and has already risen the ranks to fight for an Invicta title in her last bout. In what was an absolute war, Verzosa suffered a decision loss, but gained massive amounts of respect for the effort she put in and her absolute toughness. Verzosa likes to brawl on the feet, but also has good submission wrestling, making this matchup even more intriguing.

Will Canuto re-assert herself as a top bantamweight in the Invicta 135-pound division in her first fight since 2017? Or, will Verzosa continue to show that she’s the future of the division with the biggest win of her career?

Strawweight: Jéssica Delboni vs. Herica Tiburcio

It’s been a while since the time former Invicta atomweight champion Herica Tiburcio last competed. But she makes her anticipated return in the strawweight division against fellow Brazilian Jessica Delboni.

Tiburcio has not fought since 2017, as she became a mother during that time. The BJJ black belt returns in a new division, looking to move up the ladder quickly to get into a title fight. Tiburcio is just 4-foot-11, but she fights big. She has great takedowns and submissions, which she seemingly gets with ease. She even owns a submission victory over UFC star Michelle Waterson, which is what earned her the atomweight belt.

She takes on Delboni, a member of Parana Vale Tudo where former UFC champ Jessica Andrade trains. Delboni, also a former atomweight, is a BJJ brown belt and taekwondo black belt. She’s well-rounded and will challenge Tiburcio anywhere, whether it’s on the mat or on the feet. That was seen in her most recent Invicta fight, where she outlasted Lindsey VanZandt in a strong performance.

Which Brazilian will come out on top come Invicta 42? Will it be the former atomweight champion? Or, will Delboni ruin her return while throwing her name in the 115-pound contender circle?

Flyweight: Victoria Leonardo vs. Liz Tracy

A pair of Invicta staples in a crowded, talent-laden division are jockeying for position in the title picture, as Victoria Leonardo meets Liz Tracy in a flyweight feature fight.

Leonardo was set to fight at Invicta 40, but her fight was cancelled at the last minute. The BJJ purple belt is know for her excellent grappling and submission game, as well as her physical strength. While she is coming off a setback against No. 1 contender Erin Blanchfield, Leonardo has been strong under the Invicta banner, with wins over Stephanie Geltmacher and Jamie Milanowski. She looks to get back in the win column here against Tracy.

On the other side of the cage you have Tracy, a brown belt in BJJ known for being tough as nails and for being a pressure fighter. Her best win to date came under the Invicta banner when she took a unanimous decision over Cheri Muraski. Like Leonardo, she’s coming off a tough loss, and looks to erase that near memory with a crucial victory.

Leonardo and Tracy are very similar fighters, which should make for an interesting fight. Styles make fights, which this is why you should keep a strict eye on this fight.

Bantamweight: Auttumn Norton vs. Brittney Cloudy

A “Fight of the Night” contender takes place in the bantamweight division, as the always exciting Auttumn Norton looks to build on her most recent Invicta win when she takes on promotional returnee Brittney Cloudy.

Norton enters the cage on the heels of her first pro win, a victory over Yaya Rincon in the featherweight division. Norton is just 1-1 but had an extensive amateur career where she showed her well-rounded skill set. She’s a BJJ blue belt, but has shown to be an aggressive, exciting grappler when the fight hits the mat.

Across the cage from her will be Cloudy, a former collegiate track athlete who successfully transitioned to a pro MMA career. Cloudy is a strong striker and is a Golden Gloves champion as an amateur boxer. After a great amateur career, she has shown to be a solid prospect, possessing technical, powerful boxing and an underrated submission game. Her only two losses came via split decision in bouts that could have easily gone her way. This is her first Invicta fight since her pro debut in 2018 against top Invicta flyweight Erin Blanchfield.

This fight is certainly going to set the winner up with a good position in Invicta’s bantamweight division. Will Norton build on her first pro win in her last outing, or will Cloudy make a successful return to the promotion where she made her pro debut?

Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng vs. Flore Hani

A pair of prospects with Pacific roots are set to clash in the flyweight division, as Micronesian-American Jennifer Chieng makes her sophomore pro effort against French Polynesian scrapper Flore Hani.

Chieng brings an extensive boxing background to the cage, as she represented her native land in the 2016 Olympics and is a New York Golden Gloves champion. After several fights in the amateur circuit, she made her pro MMA debut in 2018, where she scored a first-round knockout over Jessica Ruiz. She has yet to fight since then, but the scrappy striker is looking for revenge on Hani stemming from a 2013 amateur boxing encounter the two had.

Hani, like Chieng, has pro boxing experience as well. She’s also the more experienced of the two when it comes to MMA. Hani has two more pro bouts to date, as well as an appearance in the Invicta Phoenix Series, where he dropped a split decision to Chantel Coates. Hani is a physically strong athlete who loves to strike and will have no problem meeting Chieng in the middle of the cage for a fight.

In the battle of two boxers-turned-MMA fighters, who will come out on top? Will Hani outmaneuver Chieng again, or will Chieng score her revenge in her Invicta FC debut?

This piece is a special contribution from Riley Kontek, a veteran combat sports writer whose work has appeared on Bleacher Report MMA, Combat Press and the MMA Intel Blog. You can follow Riley on Twitter.

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Atomweight Title Clash Headlines Invicta FC 42 on Sept. 17

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Kansas City, Kan. – The world’s premier combat sports organization for women will continue its action-packed summer schedule on Thursday, Sept. 17.

Invicta Fighting Championships 42 will crown a new atomweight champion as longtime Invicta combatant Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-5) takes on world-class wrestler Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (7-2) for the vacant 105-pound belt. The Missouri-born, California-based Cummins is no stranger to the Invicta cage, debuting at the promotion’s inaugural event in April of 2012. Since then, she’s made a total of nine appearances under the Invicta banner, battling the likes of current UFC fighters Joanne Calderwood, Alexa Grasso and most recently, former atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey. Cummins came up short in a hotly contested affair with Frey, but will get a second opportunity to claim gold. Michigan’s Zappitella is just 25 years old, but has already compiled a championship-worthy resume. She’s been victorious in four of her five Invicta bouts, including back-to-back wins over Lindsey VanZandt and Kelly D’Angelo to cement her status as a title contender.

The co-main event will take place in the bantamweight division as former title challengers Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (5-1) and Raquel Canuto (6-6) — née Pa’aluhi — collide. Verzosa was last in action at Phoenix Rising 3 in March, engaging in a “Fight of the Year” battle with Julija Stoliarenko. The split verdict was the first defeat of the 24-year-old’s career. Canuto returns to MMA action for the first time since Invicta FC 25 in 2017. The Hawaii native has since achieved her black belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu, and is ready to step back into the cage where she’s faced the likes of current two-division UFC champion Amanda Nunes, Sara McMann, Pannie Kianzad and Yana Kunitskaya.

Also on the card, Brazilian veteran Jéssica Delboni (9-2) faces former atomweight champion Herica Tiburcio (11-4) in a strawweight match-up, flyweight Victoria “Fury” Leonardo (6-2) takes on Liz “The Titan” Tracy (5-3), bantamweight Auttumn Norton (1-1) welcomes Brittney Cloudy (2-2) back to the promotion, and New York newcomer Jennifer “Dugwen” Chieng (1-0) meets Tahiti native Flore “Aito Hine” Hani (2-1) at strawweight.

Invicta FC 42 will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. The event will air live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. CT. With the ongoing pandemic, Invicta FC 42 will take place in Kansas City behind closed doors — sans fans and media. As with any Invicta event, the safety of its fighters, their corners, its staff and commission officials is of the utmost priority. All participants will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event.

The full fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Ashley Cummins vs. Alesha Zappitella
Bantamweight: Lisa Verzosa vs. Raquel Canuto
Strawweight: Jéssica Delboni vs. Herica Tiburcio
Flyweight: Victoria Leonardo vs. Liz Tracy
Bantamweight: Auttumn Norton vs. Brittney Cloudy
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng vs. Flore Hani

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Invicta FC:

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

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

About Invicta FC:

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

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Through the Ashes: Jinh Yu Frey

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Kansas City, Mo. – Invicta Fighting Championships today released the newest episode of “Through the Ashes,” a documentary series produced by the promotion and presented by Victory Beef.

Each episode of the series chronicles the martial arts journey of a single Invicta athlete, including never-before-told stories of overcoming adversity inside and outside the cage.

This episode features atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey. The Texas fighter talks about her drive to improve with every fight, as well as pushing her limits on a daily basis. The titleholder will defend her belt against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 39 on Friday, Feb. 7.

“Whether I win or lose, two or three days later, I’m back in the gym. I feel determined and I want to get better.”

Watch the full episode of ‘Through the Ashes’ below:

Invicta FC 39 streams live and exclusively via UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event can be purchased now through Eventbrite.

“Through the Ashes” was directed and edited by Cynthia Vance. It features cinematography by Cynthia Vance and Enkrypt Los Angeles, as well as additional footage from E. Casey Leydon and Ruben Rodriguez

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

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Invicta FC 39 Features Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins Atomweight Title Fight on Feb. 7

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Kansas City, Mo. – Invicta Fighting Championships will kick off its 2020 slate with a stacked fight card on Friday, Feb. 7. Invicta FC 39 will take place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., and will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s headliner, atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey (8-4) aims to make the second defense of her 105-pound title against a familiar foe in No. 1 contender Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-4). The pair met previously at Invicta FC 24, with the Texas-based Frey earning a decision victory. Frey later ascended to the top of the division with a pair of victories over Finland’s Minna Grusander. Cummins rebounded with wins over Jéssica Delboni and Stephanie Alba to earn her shot at gold.

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

Also on the card, Contender Series veteran Mariya Agapova (8-1) clashes with Brazil’s Daiana Torquato (9-3) in a flyweight bout, Michigan’s Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (5-2) and Missouri’s Kelly D’Angelo (4-2) jockey for position in the atomweight ranks, 20-year-old flyweight Erin “Cold Blooded” Blanchfield (4-1) takes on four-fight Invicta veteran Victoria “Fury” Leonardo (6-1) of Louisiana, New York’s “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (3-2) collides with Kentucky atomweight Linda “F109” Mihalec (2-0), and bantamweight Tina “The Predator” Pettigrew (1-0) will make her Invicta debut against fellow newcomer Monica Franco (1-0).

Tickets for the event can be purchased now through Eventbrite.

The current Invicta FC 39 fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez vs. Miranda Maverick
Flyweight: Mariya Agapova vs. Daiana Torquato
Atomweight: Alesha Zappitella vs. Kelly D’Angelo
Flyweight: Erin Blanchfield vs. Victoria Leonardo
Atomweight: Jillian DeCoursey vs. Linda Mihalec
Bantamweight: Tina Pettigrew vs. Monica Franco

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

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Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins Title Clash Headlines Invicta FC 37 Fight Card

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Kansas City, Mo. – The lineup for Invicta FC 37 has been finalized.

The event, which takes place Friday, Oct. 4, from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., will be headlined by an atomweight title clash between current champion Jinh Yu Frey (8-4) and challenger Ashley “Smashley” Cummins (7-4). The pair met previously at Invicta FC 24 in 2017 with the Texas-based Frey taking a decision victory in the three-round affair. Frey would go on to capture the 105-pound title against Finland’s Minna Grusander and defend the belt in a rematch at Invicta FC 33. Cummins has won two straight since her prior meeting with Frey, most recently defeating Brazil’s Jéssica Delboni at Invicta FC 32.

In the night’s co-main event, UFC veteran and former flyweight title challenger Pearl Gonzalez (9-4) takes on unbeaten Brogan “Killer Bee” Walker-Sanchez (6-0) of Guam. The Chicago native Gonzalez will look to rebound after coming up short against current champion Vanessa Porto in her last outing. Walker-Sanchez will be making her third appearance in the Invicta cage and aims to build off her decision win over recent Phoenix Series tournament winner Miranda Maverick.

The card will also feature a pair of Contender Series veterans as Kazakhstan’s Mariya Agapova (7-1) makes a quick turnaround following her first-round submission win over Alexa Conners at Phoenix Series 2 to battle Brazilian Marilia Santos (10-3). Fresh off a win in a Phoenix Series tournament reserve bout, California’s Kay Hansen (4-3) returns to welcome 22-year-old Brazilian Nicolle Caliari (4-1) to the Invicta cage. Veterans atomweights meet when Idaho’s Shino VanHoose (6-5) takes on New York’s Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (6-2). Newcomers Linda “F109” Mihalec (1-0) of Kentucky and Marisa “Spider Monkey” Messer-Belenchia (3-0) of Connecticut collide, also at 105 pounds. Finally, in a match-up of debuting flyweights, Minnesota’s Jordan “KamiKaaze” Kaaze (0-0) faces Colorado’s Claire Johnson (0-0).

The Invicta FC 37 fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Jinh Yu Frey vs. Ashley Cummins
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez vs. Brogan Walker-Sanchez
Flyweight: Mariya Agapova vs. Marilia Santos
Strawweight: Kay Hansen vs. Nicolle Caliari
Atomweight: Shino VanHoose vs. Lindsey VanZandt
Atomweight: Linda Mihalec vs. Marisa Messer-Belenchia
Flyweight: Jordan Kaaze vs. Claire Johnson

Invicta FC 37 will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT. Tickets for the event can be purchased now through Eventbrite.

About Invicta FC:

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

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Through the Ashes: Ashley Cummins

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Shawnee, Okla. – Invicta Fighting Championships today released the newest episode of “Through the Ashes,” a documentary series produced by the promotion and presented by Victory Beef.

Each episode of the series chronicles the martial arts journey of a single Invicta athlete, including never-before-told stories of overcoming adversity inside and outside the cage.

This episode features atomweight and full-time police officer Ashley “Smashley” Cummins. The Missouri native, who now resides in San Diego, is excited to show a newfound drive in her upcoming bout against Jessica Delboni at Invicta FC 32. Learn about her journey from being a lifelong athlete and martial artist to balancing two very challenging careers.

“I want to represent my new gym and my new police department. I’m really hungry for this win and to show people what I’m capable of in the atomweight division.”

Watch the full episode of ‘Through the Ashes’ below:

Invicta FC 32 streams live and exclusively via UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. ET / 5 p.m. PT on Friday, Nov. 16.

‘Through the Ashes’ was directed and edited by Cynthia Vance. It features cinematography by Cynthia Vance and Mark Johnston, as well as additional footage from E. Casey Leydon, Ruben Rodriguez and Scott Hirano.

About Invicta FC:

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