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Invicta FC 31 Results: Jandiroba Chokes Morandin, Retains Strawweight Title

Kansas City, Mo. — On Saturday, Sept. 1, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin from the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streamed live on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The Invicta FC strawweight belt remains around the waist of undefeated Brazilian Virna Jandiroba after she submitted countrywoman Janaisa Morandin. After a feeling out process on the feet, the champion exploded for a takedown. She worked to the mount position, but Morandin was able to recover her guard. Jandiroba peppered Morandin with short shots as the first round came to a close. Round two saw Jandiroba again earn a takedown, but this time, she effortlessly passed to mount and attacked the neck of the challenger with a choke. The arm-triangle was deep, forcing Morandin to submit.

Pearl Gonzalez picked up her third straight win — second in the flyweight division — with a decision victory over Brazilian Daiane Firmino. Gonzalez fired kicks immediately which allowed Firmino to power the fight to the ground. Gonzalez was able to gain top position, but Firmino worked back to her feet. The pair worked hard in the clinch, trading short knees. The second round saw Gonzalez land a huge throw to delight the crowd. Gonzalez worked from the scarf hold position, threatening with multiple submissions. Firmino was game, nearly taking Gonzalez’s back. In the last frame, Firmino pushed the action. She secured a takedown, but was forced to defend an armbar attempt and triangle choke threat from Gonzalez. The fight went to the judges for a verdict and they rewarded Gonzalez for her efforts.

In a battle of undefeated bantamweights, Lisa Spangler narrowly edged Shanna Young on the scorecards. The karate style of Young was evident from the opening bell, as she repeatedly fired head kicks with her lead leg. The attacks appeared to surprise Spangler, as she absorbed a lot of punishment early, bleeding heavily from her nose. Spangler settled in during the second round, landing combinations and marching through the kick attempts. Young continued her kicking arsenal, but Spangler landed heavy punches to the body. The fight’s lone takedown came in round three, as Spangler briefly put Young on her back. The pair returned to the center of the cage in the waning moments, trading heavy punches as the crowd erupted. The judges were split, with Spangler handing Young her first defeat.

Colorado’s Mallory Martin continued her winning streak, stopping Canada’s Ashley Nichols in the third round. Nichols started strong, dropping Martin early with a right hand. Martin recovered and was able to earn a takedown. The second stanza saw Martin earn another takedown, but she was unable to mount much offense. Round three saw Martin come out aggressively. She put Nichols on her back along the fence and went for the finish. Martin dropped a series of heavy elbows, hurting Nichols in the process. The referee saved Nichols from further damage, giving Martin the TKO victory.

Flyweight Miranda Maverick quickly returned to the win column with a first-round finish of Louisiana’s Victoria Leonardo. After a brief striking exchange, Maverick closed the distance and methodically worked for a takedown. Once on top, she passed to the mount. Leonardo tried to escape through the back door, but Maverick latched onto her right arm. Leonardo desperately looked to escape, but Maverick cranked hard, coercing the armbar finish.

Competing as an atomweight for the first time, Missouri’s Kelly D’Angelo bested newcomer Lindsey VanZandt by decision. VanZandt was quick to attack with her takedowns, but fell into the dangerous guard of VanZandt. D’Angelo first attacked with a triangle choke, then an armbar. VanZandt nearly turned purple, but did not tap. D’Angelo was able to mount and deliver punishment from the top. It was more of the same in round two, as D’Angelo again threatened with submissions. VanZandt went for it in round three, firing high kicks and a flying knee, but it wasn’t enough, as D’Angelo scored the unanimous decision win.

Strawweight Kay Hansen used a well-round attack, earning a third-round stoppage win over the previously undefeated Helen Peralta. The pair spent the majority of the first two rounds jostling for position in the clinch. Hansen was able to change levels — avoiding any damage — and scoring with takedowns. In the third round, Hansen’s work paid off, as she earned a big slam and passed to the mount. Once there, she unleashed a flurry of elbows and punches that forced the referee to step in and halt the contest.

Kicking off the night’s action live and free on Facebook, featherweights Audrey Wolfe and Holli Salazar battled to a draw after three rounds. Salazar repeatedly landed her right hand early, prompting a takedown from Wolfe. Salazar attacked with an armbar from her back that forced Wolfe to defend. In the second frame, Salazar again did damage with her right hand, scoring in the clinch. Wolfe worked hard for a takedown in the final frame. She landed an illegal head butt from inside the guard of Salazar, forcing referee Greg Franklin to deduct a point. That proved to be a factor, as all three judges scored the bout a draw.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Virna Jandiroba def. Janaisa Morandin by submission (arm-triangle choke). Round 2, 2:23 – for strawweight title
Pearl Gonzalez def. Daiane Firmino by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-27)
Lisa Spangler def. Shanna Young by split decision (28-29, 30-27, 29-28)
Mallory Martin def. Ashley Nichols by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 1:05
Miranda Maverick def. Victoria Leonardo by submission (armbar). Round 1, 3:26
Kelly D’Angelo def. Lindsey VanZandt unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kay Hansen def. Helen Peralta by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 4:16
Holli Salazar vs. Audrey Wolfe ruled a unanimous draw (28-28 x3)


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.

Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin Official Weigh-in Results

Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, Aug. 31, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin. The event takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, Sept. 1, with the main card streaming live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Virna Jandiroba (13-0) makes her first defense of her belt against fellow Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (10-1). Jandiroba claimed the title earlier this year, defeating MIZUKI at Invicta FC 28 in Utah. Morandin was most recently in action against Kinberly Novaes at Invicta FC 26, earning a “Performance of the Night” bonus for her victory.

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

Strawweight Title: Virna Jandiroba (114.6) vs. Janaisa Morandin (114.5)
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (124.5) vs. Daiane Firmino (125.4)
Bantamweight: Shanna Young (134.5) vs. Lisa Spangler (135)
Strawweight: Mallory Martin (117)* vs. Ashley Nichols (115.7)
Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (125.1) vs. Victoria Leonardo (125.7)
Atomweight: Kelly D’Angelo (106) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (105.5)
Strawweight: Helen Peralta (115.7) vs. Kay Hansen (115.3)
Featherweight: Audrey Wolfe (145.5) vs. Holli Salazar (145.7)

– Martin was fined 25 percent of her fight purse for missing the strawweight limit of 116 pounds


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.

Invicta FC 31 to Feature Bout Streamed Live on Facebook

Kansas City, Mo. — For the first time ever, the world’s leading platform for women’s MMA will live stream a fight on its Facebook page.

An Invicta FC 31 featherweight match-up between Audrey Drew (1-0) and Holli Salazar (1-0) will simultaneously stream on Facebook and UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. The undefeated fighters will both be making their promotional debuts.

A previously scheduled flyweight bout between newcomers Chantel Coates and Ashlynn Kleinbeck was pulled from the event after Kleinbeck had to have an emergency appendectomy during fight week and could not compete.

Invicta FC 31 takes place Saturday, Sept. 1, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. It will be headlined by a strawweight title clash between Brazilians Virna Jandiroba (13-0) and Janaisa Morandin (10-1). The event will kick off with the Drew-Salazar match-up streaming live and free on Facebook at 7 p.m. CT, with the entire fight card streaming live on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 31 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Virna Jandiroba (13-0) vs. Janaisa Morandin (10-1)
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (8-3) vs. Daiane Firmino (10-2)
Bantamweight: Shanna Young (4-0) vs. Lisa Spangler (2-0)
Strawweight: Mallory Martin (3-2) vs. Ashley Nichols (3-2)
Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (3-1) vs. Victoria Leonardo (2-0)
Atomweight: Kelly D’Angelo (2-2) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (3-0)
Strawweight: Helen Peralta (2-0) vs. Kay Hansen (2-1)
Featherweight: Audrey Drew (1-0) vs. Holli Salazar (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 31 are available now via Ticketfly.com.


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.

Lisa Spangler Replaces Raquel Pa’aluhi; Invicta FC 31 Adds Eighth Bout

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta FC 31 is complete.

Former bantamweight title challenger Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-6) has been forced off the card due to injury and will be replaced by Invicta FC veteran Lisa “The Strangler” Spangler (2-0). Spangler, who made her professional debut at Invicta FC 29, will welcome fellow undefeated fighter Shanna Young (4-0) to the promotion.

Also added to the fight card is a flyweight match-up between Miranda Maverick (3-1) and Victoria Leonardo (2-0). Missouri’s Maverick makes a quick turnaround after competing at Invicta FC 30 in July. Leonardo, who hails from Louisiana, has quickly earned two victories after turning pro earlier this year.

Invicta FC 31 takes place Saturday, Sept. 1, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. It will be headlined by a strawweight title clash between Brazilians Virna Jandiroba (13-0) and Janaisa Morandin (10-1). The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 31 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Virna Jandiroba (13-0) vs. Janaisa Morandin (10-1)
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (8-3) vs. Daiane Firmino (10-2)
Bantamweight: Shanna Young (4-0) vs. Lisa Spangler (2-0)
Strawweight: Mallory Martin (3-2) vs. Ashley Nichols (3-2)
Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (3-1) vs. Victoria Leonardo (2-0)
Atomweight: Kelly D’Angelo (2-2) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (3-0)
Strawweight: Helen Peralta (2-0) vs. Kay Hansen (2-1)
Featherweight: Audrey Drew (1-0) vs. Holli Salazar (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 31 are available now via Ticketfly.com.


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.

Virna Jandiroba vs. Janaisa Morandin Title Fight Tops Invicta FC 31 Fight Card

Kansas City, Mo. — The lineup for Invicta FC 31 is taking shape.

The event, which takes place Saturday, Sept. 1, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., will be headlined by a strawweight title clash between Brazilians Virna Jandiroba (13-0) and Janaisa Morandin (10-1).

Jandiroba remained undefeated and captured Invicta gold earlier this year, defeating Japan’s MIZUKI at Invicta FC 28 by decision. The submission specialist has finished 10 of her 13 career victories.

The 23-year-old Morandin bested countrywoman Kinberly Novaes at Invicta FC 26 to earn her 10th career win. Her lone career defeat came against former Invicta champion and current UFC fighter Livia Renata Souza.

In the night’s co-main event, UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez (8-3) aims to continue her ascension through the flyweight division as she welcomes Brazilian Daiane Firmino (10-2) to the Invicta cage. Gonzalez was last in action at Invicta FC 29, submitting Bárbara Acioly via first-round armbar. Firmino enters the promotion with wins over Ariane Lipski and Invicta veteran Mariana Morais.

Also on the card, former bantamweight title challenger Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-6) meets unbeaten newcomer Shanna Young (4-0), Colorado’s Mallory Martin (3-2) takes on Canadian Ashley Nichols (3-2) in a strawweight affair, Kelly D’Angelo (2-2) drops to atomweight against Lindsey VanZandt (3-0), knockout artist Helen Peralta (2-0) meets fellow strawweight Kay Hansen (2-1), and Audrey Drew (1-0) squares off with Holli Salazar (1-0) at featherweight.

The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

The current fight card for Invicta FC 31 can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Virna Jandiroba (13-0) vs. Janaisa Morandin (10-1)
Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (8-3) vs. Daiane Firmino (10-2)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-6) vs. Shanna Young (4-0)
Strawweight: Mallory Martin (3-2) vs. Ashley Nichols (3-2)
Atomweight: Kelly D’Angelo (2-2) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (3-0)
Strawweight: Helen Peralta (2-0) vs. Kay Hansen (2-1)
Featherweight: Audrey Drew (1-0) vs. Holli Salazar (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 31 will be available via Ticketfly.com beginning Saturday, Aug. 4.


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.