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Janaisa Morandin Replaces Jodie Esquibel Against Livia Renata Souza at Invicta FC 25

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 25 has changed.

Strawweight title challenger Jodie Esquibel (6-2) has suffered an injury in training and has been forced out of her co-headlining bout against former champion Livia Renata Souza (10-1). Replacing Esquibel will be undefeated Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (9-0). The bout will now be a three-round, non-title affair.

Morandin has reeled off nine straight wins in her home country to open her career, including five by way of strikes. Normally competing as an atomweight, she will move up in weight to take on her countrywoman Souza.

Also, bantamweight Sarah Kleczka (0-0) will make her Invicta and professional debut against Amberlynn Orr (0-1). Kleczka, dubbed “Chucky,” was unbeaten as an amateur and replaces Kelly McGill-Velasco (2-1).

Invicta FC 25 takes place from the Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino in Lemoore, Calif., on Thursday, Aug. 31. All of the action streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. PT.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 25 can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-5) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (9-3, 1 NC)
Strawweight: Livia Renata Souza (10-1) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-0)
Bantamweight: Alexa Conners (4-1) vs. Katharina Lehner (5-0)
Strawweight: Sharon Jacobson (4-1) vs. Kali Robbins (4-0)
Atomweight: Shino VanHoose (5-5) vs. Alyse Anderson (3-0)
Bantamweight: Amberlynn Orr (0-1) vs. Sarah Kleczka (0-0)
Bantamweight: Yaya Rincón (1-0) vs. Stephanie Egger (2-1)
Flyweight: Cheri Muraski (3-0) vs. Tracy Cortez (0-0)
Atomweight: Ashley Medina (0-0) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (0-0)

Tickets for the event can be purchased now through the Tachi Palace website.


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.

Five Additional Bouts Added to Invicta FC 22

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships 22 has added five new bouts.

The night’s co-main event will feature atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (14-1) moving up a weight class to take on former strawweight champion Livia Renata Souza (9-1). Hamasaki will enter the contest having won five straight fights, including back-to-back title defenses against Jinh Yu Frey and Amber Brown. Souza will compete for the first time since her Invicta FC 17 battle with Angela Hill.

Also at strawweight, former title challenger DeAnna Bennett (8-2) takes on Jodie Esquibel (5-2). The pair were originally slated to collide at Invicta FC 21, but the bout had to be rescheduled. Bennett will return for the first time since Invicta FC 16, where she engaged in a back-and-forth battle with veteran Roxanne Modafferi. Esquibel headlined Invicta FC 18 in July against Mexico’s Alexa Grasso.

Recent atomweight title challenger Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) battles undefeated Brazilian newcomer Janaisa Morandin (9-0). Frey came up short in her quest for gold at Invicta FC 19 after doctors stopped her bout due to a cut. Morandin has reeled off nine straight wins in her home country, including five by way of strikes.

Finally, two additional strawweight match-ups are slated for the event. Iceland’s Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir (1-0), fresh off her decision win over Ashley Greenway at Invicta FC 19, welcomes newcomer Mallory Martin (1-0) to the Invicta cage, while unbeaten Kal Holliday (1-0) looks to build off her submission victory over Tiffany Van Soest when she takes on 19-year-old sensation Miranda Maverick (1-0).

The bouts join the previously announced bantamweight title rematch between champion Tonya Evinger (18-5, 1 NC) and Russian challenger Yana Kunitskaya (9-2, 1 NC).

The event takes place Saturday, March 25 from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 8 p.m. ET.

The current Invicta FC 22 fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Tonya Evinger (18-5, 1 NC) vs. Yana Kunitskaya (9-2, 1 NC)
Strawweight: Ayaka Hamasaki (14-1) vs. Livia Renata Souza (9-1)
Strawweight: DeAnna Bennett (8-2) vs. Jodie Esquibel (5-2)
Atomweight: Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-0)
Strawweight: Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir (1-0) vs. Mallory Martin (1-0)
Strawweight: Kal Holliday (1-0) vs. Miranda Maverick (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 22 go on sale Saturday, Feb. 11 at 10 a.m. CT via Ticketfly.com. Additional bouts for the event will be announced at a later date.


About Invicta FC:

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

Brazil’s Janaisa Morandin Added to Invicta Atomweight Division

Kansas City, Mo. — The Invicta FC 105-pound division has added another new face.

Joining the promotion is undefeated Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (7-0). The native of Rio Grande do Sul has been competing professionally since 2013, racking up four finishes while competing in her home country.

“Ever since I watched Invicta for the first time, I knew it was exactly where I wanted to be,” declared the fighter. “I am so happy!”

Morandin was last in action against Arielle Souza in October, scoring her fifth win of 2014.

“I want everyone from Invicta to be proud of signing me,” said Morandin. “I want the fans to have me as their favorite fighter. I am willing to bring great performances to the Invicta cage. You all can expect to see sweat, blood, tears and a big smile on my face as it all comes out!”

Dubbed “Evil Princess,” the fighter has a message for her peers in the 105-pound weight class.

“I know Invicta has the very best female fighters in the world, so it is already a great achievement to be among you all,” said the Brazilian. “I respect you all a lot, but once the door is closed behind us, I will try my best to make you regret being there with me. I am bringing it all and I hope you are ready!”

Look for Morandin’s debut in 2015.


About Invicta FC:

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