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Invicta FC 59 Results: Maia Dethrones Bernardo To Become Bantamweight Champion

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ATLANTA – On Friday, Dec. 13, Invicta Fighting Championships debuted in the Peach state, holding Invicta FC 59: Bernardo vs. Maia from the Eastern in Atlanta.

In the night’s main event, bantamweight champion Talita Bernardo put her belt on the line against fellow Brazilian – and former flyweight titleholder – Jennifer Maia. Bernardo battered the lead leg of Maia with low kicks in the first minute of the fight. She ducked under the punches of Maia and looked for a takedown. Maia initially defended, but Bernardo imposed her will and tripped Maia to the mat. Bernardo rained short right hands from half guard, but Maia recovered her full guard. Maia worked for an armbar from the bottom, which Bernardo defended and escaped. Bernardo pinned Maia to the cage and dropped heavy punches and elbows. Round two began with the fighters trading kicks. Bernardo looked for a takedown, but it was Maia who landed in the top position. Maia tried to pass to mount with no avail. She again looked for an armbar before the fight returned to the feet. A right hand from Maia popped the head of Bernardo. Another takedown was stuffed by Maia, only for her to fall into a deep kneebar attempt. Bernardo cranked hard on the submission, but Maia remained calm and escaped to top position. A counter right hand from Maia found its mark to start the third frame. Bernardo answered with a body kick before shooting for a takedown. Maia defended and kept the fight on the feet. Bernardo failed on another takedown attempt and tried to coerce Maia to the ground. Maia had none of it and stayed content to score on the feet with combinations. Another shot from Bernardo turned into her dragging Maia on top of her. Maia passed to mount briefly and she finished the round in top position. Bernardo opened round four with a knee to Maia’s stomach. She then countered with a straight right to keep Maia at range. A clean right hand from Maia stunned Bernardo, who responded with a massive slam. Maia worked back to her feet before spinning Bernardo to her back. Maia transitioned to Bernardo’s back along the fence and flattened her out. Bernardo did not panic and regained her half guard late in the round. A pair of heavy left hands from Bernardo landed to start round five. She then dragged Maia to the ground and scrambled to her back. Maia escaped and was able to pass to side control before bringing the fight back to standing. A late takedown from Maia all but sealed the victory, as she became the first fighter in Invicta history to hold a title in multiple weight classes.

The co-feature saw Brazil’s Paula Bittencourt return to the win column, defeating Colombia’s Alejandra Lara. Lara opened with a jumping front kick and the pair wasted no time firing power punches. Bittencourt clinched, but it was Lara who took control and put the Brazilian against the fence. A scramble allowed Bittencourt to secure a body lock and she landed an elbow. When the pair separated, Lara delivered a heavy left hand before initiating the clinch once more. She clung to Bittencourt like glue, but Bittencourt was able to break free. Lara fired a left head kick and left straight, only to be countered by a right hand from Bittencourt. Round two featured a hook kick attempt from the Colombian, which did not connect. Bittencourt ducked under a punch to secure a body lock, but Lara’s balance prevented the fight from finding the canvas. A short hook from Bittencourt caught Lara charging into boxing range, prompting the veteran to return the fight to the clinch. A late takedown attempt from Lara was stuffed by the Brazilian. In the final round, Lara controlled the distance with her kicks. Bittencourt powered forward recklessly and found herself in the clinch again. A wild flurry from Bittencourt slowed the advance of Lara midway through the stanza. A thunderous body kick landed for Lara with a minute left in the bout and she doubled up on the strike. The fight went the distance and the judges were called upon to render a verdict. They were split in their scores, with Bittencourt eking out the win.

Former strawweight champion Valesca Machado gave Brazilian newcomer Yasmin Castanho a rude welcome to the Invicta cage with a dominant performance. A heavy right hand from Machado wobbled Castanho less than a minute into the fight. Castanho changed levels for a takedown, but was stuffed by Machado. A counter right from Machado again connected and Castanho tumbled to her back. She recovered, but was greeted by an uppercut from the former champ. Another takedown attempt from Castanho was shut down and she walked into a stiff right hand from Machado. The takedown defense of Machado held true throughout the opening frame. Machado closed the range with confidence in round two, countering each kick attempt from Castanho with a right hand. She continued to stuff every shot from Castanho. An overhand right, then left hook from Machado had Castanho on her back foot. Castanho desperately clung to a single in the round’s final seconds and brought the fight to the ground for the first time, but Machado prevented her from gaining a dominant position. The right hand of Machado landed over and over, as Castanho’s defense waned. Castanho attempted to pull guard after a failed takedown attempt, but Machado did not follow her to the ground. Machado punished Castanho’s final takedown effort with a series of elbows and punches. There was no doubt on the scorecards as Machado swept them all to earn the decision victory.

In an atomweight match-up Mexico’s Ana Palacios and Brazilian Monique Adriane looked to move closer to title shot at the other’s expense. The pair looked to find their range early in the bout. Adriane was the first to connect, sending Palacios to the canvas with a well-timed strike. The Mexican popped back to her feet and began to throw kicks to Adriane’s midsection and legs. Adriane caught a kick attempt from Palacios and dumped her back to the ground momentarily. Palacios scored with a heavy body kick late in the round that stunned Adriane. She followed it with a switch kick to the opposite side. Palacios showcased her speed in round two, scoring with quick combinations before Adriane could counter. The body kicks from Palacios continued to find their mark as the round progressed and Adriane’s frustration was evident. Adriane latched onto a single-leg attempt, but was peppered with short punches from Palacios, who remained upright. The last round mimicked the earlier rounds as the movement of Palacios forced Adriane to chase and prevented her from firing punches. The output from Palacios remained constant and Adriane became desperate late in the fight. She repeatedly failed on takedown attempts and the fight was sent to the judges for a decision. All three judges rewarded Palacios for her efforts, moving her into title contention.

The first Invicta bout inside the state of Georgia took place in the strawweight ranks as undefeated Chilean Fernanda Orellana met Ashley Barrett. Barrett quickly clinched in the fight’s opening minute and delivered knees to the midsection of Orellana. Orellana fired back with an elbow as the pair separated, but absorbed a massive right hand from Barrett that dropped her. Barrett looked to capitalize and scored a takedown. Orellana scrambled and turned the fight in her favor, taking Barrett’s back and locking in a rear-naked choke. Barrett survived the choke attempt, but was forced to defend an armbar from Orellana. The round concluded with Orellana looking for a guillotine choke, but she was unable to finish. A spinning backfist from Orellana greeted Barrett to start the second round, but the American was undeterred and took the fight to the clinch. Orellana delivered knees of her own. Barrett locked onto a head-and-arm throw and brought Orellana down to the mat. Orellana continued to show an active guard from her back, applying an armbar and briefly extending. Barrett fought free from the hold and finished the round on the back of Orellana. The fight’s final frame featured a quick throw from Barrett and she attacked with an arm-triangle from half guard. Orellana was able to bridge from her back and recover her guard. Barrett found herself in another armbar midway through the round, but the cage prevented Orellana from fully extending her arm. Barrett’s wrestling allowed her to escape and secure top position, but it was short lived as Orellana took her back. Orellana fished for the fight-finishing rear-naked choke and coerced a late tap from Barrett.

A scheduled featherweight bout between Riley Martinez and Jackie Cataline was removed from the card due to a medical issue.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Talita Bernardo by unanimous decision (49-46 x3) – for bantamweight title
Paula Bittencourt def. Alejandra Lara by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Valesca Machado def. Yasmin Castanho by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Ana Palacios def. Monique Adriane by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Fernanda Orellana def. Ashley Barrett by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 3, 4:24

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Invicta FC 59: Bernardo vs. Maia Official Weigh-in Results

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ATLANTA — On Thursday, Dec. 12, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 59: Bernardo vs. Maia.

The event – the promotion’s debut in the Peach State – takes place Friday, Dec. 13 from The Eastern in Atlanta. The night’s main card airs live on CBS Sports at 9 p.m. ET, with the preliminary card streaming live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page at 8 p.m. ET.

In the night’s main event, current bantamweight queen Talita Bernardo (11-4) puts her belt on the line against fellow Brazilian Jennifer Maia (22-10-1). Bernardo looks to defend her 135-pound strap for a second time and extend her winning streak to six straight. Maia, meanwhile, is a former flyweight champion and aims to become the first fighter in promotional history to hold the title in different weight classes.

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

Bantamweight Title: Talita Bernardo (134.2) vs. Jennifer Maia (133.2)
Featherweight: Riley Martinez (144.4) vs. Jackie Cataline (145.4)
Catchweight (130 pounds): Alejandra Lara (129.2) vs. Paula Bittencourt (132.2)*
Strawweight: Valesca Machado (116) vs. Yasmin Castanho (115.2)
Atomweight: Monique Adriane (105.9) vs. Ana Palacios (105.7)
Strawweight: Ashley Barrett (115.9) vs. Fernanda Orellana (116)

* – Bittencourt missed the catchweight limit of 130 pounds and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse.

Additionally, a planned atomweight bout between Giulliany Perêa and Natalie Salcedo has been removed from the Invicta FC 59 fight card. It will be rescheduled for a future event.

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Invicta FC 59 Touches Down in Atlanta on December 13 with Bernardo-Maia Title Clash

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ATLANTA — Invicta Fighting Championships is headed to the Peach State on Friday, Dec. 13 with a bantamweight title bout between current champion Talita Bernardo (11-4) and former flyweight titleholder Jennifer Maia (22-10-1). The action will take place from The Eastern in Atlanta, with the main card airing live on CBS Sport Network.

The two Brazilian veterans have established themselves among the best 135-pound fighters on the planet with their recent performances. Bernardo aims to defend her belt for a second time and extend her winning streak to six straight. Four of those wins have come inside the Invicta cage — including three submission finishes — most recently defeating Olga Rubin at Invicta FC 55 in June. Maia, meanwhile, made a triumphant return to the promotion at Invicta FC 56, besting countrywoman Mayra Cantuária. As she sets her sights on the bantamweight crown, the former 125-pound queen looks to become the first woman in Invicta to win titles in multiple weight classes.

In the night’s co-feature, featherweights Riley “Rad” Martinez (4-0) and Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (5-3) jockey for position near the top of the 145-pound division. Idaho’s Martinez has opened her career with four first-round finishes, including a sub-two-minute rear-naked choke of Julia Dorny at Invicta FC 54. The decorated wrestler Cataline impressed in her Invicta debut in August, handing previously undefeated Brazilian Kelly Ottoni her first loss.

Also on the main card, Colombia’s Alejandra “Azul” Lara (11-7) takes on Brazilian Paula “Bittencourt” Cristina (6-3) in a flyweight match-up, and former strawweight champion Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (14-4) meets fellow Brazilian Yasmin “Monstrinha” Castanho (6-1). Atomweights contenders Monique Adriane (6-2) and Ana “Guerrera” Palacios (9-3-1) collide in the preliminary card headliner, and are joined by undefeated 105-pound prospects Giulliany “Giu” Perêa (2-0) and Natalie Salcedo (3-0), as well as strawweights Ashley “Smashley” Barrett (1-0) and Fernanda Orellana (2-0).

Invicta FC 59: Bernardo vs. Maia will air via CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET/8 p.m. CT. Preliminary card action will stream live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page at 7:30 p.m. ET. Tickets to the event will be available on sale beginning Friday, Nov. 15 at noon ET through AXS.

The fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight Title: Talita Bernardo vs. Jennifer Maia
Featherweight: Riley Martinez vs. Jackie Cataline
Flyweight: Alejandra Lara vs. Paula Bittencourt
Strawweight: Valesca Machado vs. Yasmin Castanho
Atomweight: Monique Adriane vs. Ana Palacios
Atomweight: Giulliany Perêa vs. Natalie Salcedo
Strawweight: Ashley Barrett vs. Fernanda Orellana

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Invicta FC 56 Results: Maia Bests Cantuária to Earn Bantamweight Title Shot

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DENVER – On Friday, Aug. 9, Invicta Fighting Championships returned to the Mile High City for Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária. The event took place from Stockyards Event Center and the night’s main card action aired live on CBS Sports Network.

In the main event, former flyweight champion Jennifer Maia made a successful return to the organization, besting fellow Brazilian Mayra Cantuária in a bantamweight contest. Cantuária fired combinations from her southpaw stance that the veteran Maia evaded. Maia ducked under a punch and Cantuária clinched. The pair exchanged heavy punches inside the pocket with a crisp left hook from Maia having the most impact. Cantuária found the mark with a straight left. Maia stayed inside range and answered with punches of her own. A body kick from Maia surprised Cantuária. She delivered a short right hook that caught Maia clean. Maia stumbled, then clinched as the frame ended. Round two opened with a flurry of punches from Maia and a head-kick attempt. Cantuária nodded with respect after just moving out of the way. A short right hand from Cantuária greeted Maia as she moved into range. Cantuária began to showboat from the success she found on the feet. Maia landed a crisp combo and Cantuária powered forward with reckless abandon. Another head kick from Maia was blocked by Cantuária. Maia landed with volume late in the round and fended off a takedown attempt from Cantuária. With the fight in the balance, Maia dug deep and pressured her less experienced opponent. She regularly slipped the punches of Cantuária and connected with counters. The pair exchanged wildly along the fence after Cantuária briefly slipped. The Brazilians never stopped trading in the bout’s final minute and the judges were called upon for a final time. The veteran Maia had her hand raised to set up a future bout with current bantamweight champion Talita Bernardo.

Former strawweight champion Valesca Machado gave Russia’s Yulia Ostroverkhova a rude welcome to the Invicta cage in the evening’s co-main event. Machado clipped Ostroverkhova with a left hook in the fight’s first striking exchange. She followed it with a long jab to keep Ostroverkhova at range. Ostroverkhova answered with a low kick and clinch knee. Machado connected with a massive right hand that wobbled the legs of the Russian. She flurried with punches along the fence, but did not get overanxious. Machado peppered Ostroverkhova with single shots while Ostroverkhova recovered from the early trouble. She missed with a superman punch and Machado landed an overhand right in response. Another left hook from the Brazilian wobbled Ostroverkhova again late in the round. Machado landed a heavy shot to open round two but continued to be patient with her offense. She countered an Ostroverkhova jab with a perfect right hand. The pair clinched and Machado muscled the newcomer to the ground. Machado mixed in left hands and right elbows from the half guard. Ostroverkhova tried to tie up the former champion from the bottom, but Machado stayed busy until the round expired. Ostroverkhova came forward with purpose to start the final stanza. That aggression worked against her though, as Machado put her on her back. After a lengthy time on the ground, the fight returned to the feet and both fighters scored with punches. A body kick from Ostroverkhova was caught by Machado and she pinned her against the fence. A head-and-arm throw from Machado saw Ostroverkhova stuck in a scarf hold as the fight concluded. There were no doubts on the scorecards as Machado swept every round.

Jackie Cataline put the first blemish on the record of Brazilian featherweight Kelly Ottoni with a third-round TKO finish. Cataline scored with a hook and Ottoni smiled at her. Cataline followed with more punches before securing underhooks and then a takedown. The wrestling stalwart stayed heavy on top, preventing Ottoni from generating offense. Cataline worked for a D’arce, but Ottoni was wise to it and escaped. Cataline finished the round on top. Round two featured an immediate takedown from Cataline. Ottoni fished for a leg from bottom position, but Cataline firmly maintained control. The fight returned to the feet and Cataline connected with a crisp right hand. She pushed Ottoni to the cage and sliced her open with an elbow. Cataline earned another takedown, passed to mount and dropped heavy shots. She looked for a late armbar as the horn sounded. The doctor checked on Ottoni between rounds, but the fight was allowed to continue. Cataline opened up with her hands, battering the face of the Brazilian. Ottoni showed heart, answering with punches of her own. When Cataline had enough, she lifted Ottoni high in the air and slammed her violently to the mat. The American locked on an arm-triangle but could not find the finish from the choke. A flurry of punches, however, were too much for Ottoni and the referee rewarded Cataline with the stoppage victory.

Promotional newcomers Paula Bittencourt and Kate Bacik wasted little time feeling each other out in their bantamweight bout as both rushed to the center of the cage. Bacik delivered a heavy body kick that Bittencourt caught and answered with a straight right that sent Bacik to the canvas. Bittencourt allowed the Brit to stand and the pair continued their wild exchange. Bittencourt clinched for a moment before Bacik broke free and scored with front kicks. Bittencourt’s pace slowed as the round progressed, and she again looked to clinch. Bacik’s leg kicks took a toll on the right leg of Bittencourt, but the Brazilian was still able to land a heavy right hand as the round came to a close. Bacik marched forward recklessly in round two and was dumped to the ground by Bittencourt. The Brazilian could not keep Bacik on her back and when the pair returned to standing, it was Bacik who earned a takedown. Bacik pressed Bittencourt against the cage and landed with knees. Bittencourt spun free and unleashed a string of punishing right hands. She powered into a late takedown and finished the round in top position. With the fight still up for grabs in the third round, it was Bacik who stayed busy on the feet initially. Bittencourt responded with a takedown along the fence. Bacik attacked from the bottom with short elbows, but Bittencourt stayed heavy on top. The Brazilian spammed left hands. Bacik worked back to her feet late and the fight was sent to the scorecards. The judges were split in their verdict, with Bacik walking away with a hard-earned victory.

The main card opened with a match-up between Mexican atomweights as Flor Hernandez welcomed Ana Palacios to the organization. It was a tentative start for the countrywomen, as they looked to find their range and exploit an opening in the other’s defense. Palacios showcased a speed advantage, evading the strikes of her taller counterpart. Hernandez was undeterred by the misses, marching forward and maintaining the center of the cage. Late in the frame, Palacios ducked under a punch from Hernandez and initiated the clinch. The pair exchanged short knees and jostled for head position in a grueling battle. The second round began with an onslaught of kicks from Palacios. She entered the pocket and traded punches with Hernandez, who used her size to score a pair of powerful shots. Palacios briefly clinched once more and fired off a series of punches as she exited to the center of the cage. Despite her smaller stature, Palacios managed distance well, connecting with heavy body kicks and avoiding the front kicks of Hernandez. A great level change from Palacios led to the fight’s first takedown and she postured up from the full guard to score with punches as the round expired. The effective kicking game of Palacios continued in the final frame. Hernandez’s frustration was apparent as she struggled to land strikes. Palacios took her down midway through the round and took her back. Hernandez powered out of the vicarious position and took the back of Palacios. A late armbar attempt from Palacios was the fight’s final action before the judges were asked to decide a winner. All three scored the bout in favor of Palacios.

Brazilian atomweight Giulliany Perêa impressed in her first Invicta appearance, outworking Mexico’s Ailed Zubieta. Zubieta landed a combination in the fight’s first exchange, leading to Perêa to shoot for a takedown. Zubieta stuffed the initial attempt, but Perêa powered the pair to the ground and gained top position. The Mexican remained calm and scrambled to her feet, only for Perêa to secure a single-leg and drag her back to the ground. Perêa was patient from the top, delivering heavy punches from inside the guard. Zubieta again tried to scramble back to her feet, but Perêa took her back with both hooks. Zubieta recovered her half guard momentarily, as Perêa dropped back for a kneebar. Zubieta defended well and the Brazilian abandoned the submission as the round came to a close. Zubieta crushed the body of Perêa with a kick to open round two, but Perêa drove into another takedown. She moved to the back and applied a body-triangle. Zubieta escaped and took the back of Perêa in the ensuing scramble. Perêa wore Zubieta like a backpack against the fence for quite some time before escaping and driving Zubieta back to the mat. Round three began similarly to the second, as Perêa found top position in the opening seconds. She fired elbows to the legs of Zubieta to open the Mexican’s guard. Perêa offered Zubieta a steady diet of left hands and knees to the rib. She used the strikes to set up a kimura attempt, but could not coerce a tap. The judges were called upon for the first time and they rendered a unanimous verdict for Perêa.

Featherweights collided when Ali Pellegrini met Marissa Ellis. Pellegrini went straight to work with kicks, using her length to frustrate Ellis. Ellis remained aggressive with her advance, which allowed Pellegrini to score a takedown and move to her back. The Washington-based fighter transitioned to a body-triangle and then went to work on a rear-naked choke. The veteran Ellis remained calm to survive the choke attempt and the round. In the second stanza, Ellis marched forward and willingly exchanged with the taller Pellegrini. Ellis ripped a thundering kick to the midsection of Pellegrini, who quickly drove into a takedown. Pellegrini moved to mount and rained elbows. Ellis again gave up her back and Pellegrini searched for a choke along the cage. Pellegrini put Ellis’s back to the mat and dropped more elbows from mount, but could not find the finish. Pellegrini capitalized on the desperation of Ellis early in round three, using a body lock to drop her to the canvas and take the back. This time, Ellis could not defend and Pellegrini claimed victory in her professional debut.

The night’s action kicked off with a flyweight contest between professional debutants Ashley Barrett and Tatiana Salazar. Salazar found range quickly, landing a sharp jab and crisp hook. That prompted Barrett to clinch, push the Nicaraguan to the cage and take her to the mat. Barrett immediately moved to mount and unleashed a flurry of punches. The onslaught was too much for Salazar and the referee stepped in to save her just 94 seconds into the bout.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Mayra Cantuária by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Valesca Machado def. Yulia Ostroverkhova by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Jackie Cataline def. Kelly Ottoni by TKO (punches). Round 3, 3:15
Kate Bacik def. Paula Bittencourt by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Ana Palacios def. Flor Hernandez by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Giulliany Perêa def. Ailed Zubieta by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Ali Pellegrini def. Marissa Ellis by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 3, 1:14
Ashley Barrett def. Tatiana Salazar by TKO (punches). Round 1, 1:34

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária Official Weigh-in Results

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DENVER — On Thursday, Aug. 8, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária, which takes place Friday, Aug. 9 from Stockyards Event Center.

In the night’s headliner, Brazilian Jennifer Maia (21-10-1) returns to the organization that launched her into stardom to take on her countrywoman, Mayra Cantuária (10-5-1). Maia, the former Invicta FC flyweight champion and UFC title challenger, will move up in weight for a non-title bantamweight clash, marking her seventh appearance in the Invicta cage. Cantuária aims to build on the momentum of her second-round submission win over Calie Cutler in her promotional debut at Invicta FC 52 last year.

The event will also feature the return of former strawweight titleholder Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (13-4), who welcomes Russia’s Yulia Ostroverkhova (9-2-1) to North America.

Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária will air via CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. Preliminary card action will stream live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT.

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

Bantamweight: Jennifer Maia (132.6) vs. Mayra Cantuária (135.8)
Strawweight: Valesca Machado (115.8) vs. Yulia Ostroverkhova (115.6)
Featherweight: Kelly Ottoni (146) vs. Jackie Cataline (144.8)
Bantamweight: Kate Bacik (133.6) vs. Paula “Bittencourt” Cristina (135.4)
Atomweight: Flor Hernandez (105.8) vs. Ana Palacios (105.4)
Atomweight: Ailed Zubieta (104.6) vs. Giulliany Perêa (105.8)
Featherweight: Ali Pellegrini (144.2) vs. Marissa Ellis (145.4)
Flyweight: Ashley Barrett (124) vs. Tatiana Salazar (125.8)

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Denver to Host Invicta FC 56 on August 9, Featuring Maia-Cantuária Showdown

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DENVER — Fresh off one of the most successful events in Invicta Fighting Championships history, the phoenix is rising to a Mile High once more. The world’s premier combat sports organization for women touches down at the Stockyards Event Center in Denver on Friday, Aug. 9 with another star-studded lineup.

In the night’s headliner, Brazilian Jennifer Maia (21-10-1) returns to the organization that launched her into stardom to take on her countrywoman, Mayra Cantuária (10-5-1). Maia, the former Invicta FC flyweight champion and UFC title challenger, will move up in weight for a non-title bantamweight clash, marking her seventh appearance in the Invicta cage. Cantuária aims to build on the momentum of her second-round submission win over Calie Cutler in her promotional debut at Invicta FC 52 last year.

Invicta FC 56 will also feature the return of former strawweight titleholder Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (13-4), who welcomes Russia’s Yulia Ostroverkhova (9-2-1) to North America. Machado rebounded from her title defeat at Invicta FC 52 with a 49-second stoppage victory in February and looks to quickly get back into title contention. Ostroverkhova is a product of the Alexander Shlemenko “STORM” fight team and is an Open Fighting Championship strawweight champion.

The card also includes Brazilian Kelly Ottoni (5-0) against Jackie “The Hybrid” Cataline (4-3) in a featherweight bout, English bantamweight Kate “Queen of the South” Bacik (4-1) takes on Brazilian Paula “Bittencourt” Cristina (6-2), Mexican atomweight Flor “Compean” Hernandez (4-1) clashes with Ana “Guerrera” Palacios (8-3-1), Ailed Zubieta (3-2), also of Mexico, faces off with fellow atomweight Giulliany “Giu” Perêa (1-0) of Brazil, featherweight Ali Pellegrini (debut) makes her first professional appearance opposite Missouri native Marissa “Mo” Ellis (1-1), and Ashley Barrett (debut) and Nicaragua’s Tatiana Salazar (debut) kick off the night’s action in a flyweight contest.

Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. Cantuária will air via CBS Sports Network at 9 p.m. ET/7 p.m. MT. Preliminary card action will stream live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page at 8 p.m. ET/6 p.m. MT. Tickets to the event are on sale now through Eventbrite.

The current fight card can be found below:

Bantamweight: Jennifer Maia vs. Mayra Cantuária
Strawweight: Valesca Machado vs. Yulia Ostroverkhova
Featherweight: Kelly Ottoni vs. Jackie Cataline
Bantamweight: Kate Bacik vs. Paula “Bittencourt” Cristina
Atomweight: Flor Hernandez vs. Ana Palacios
Atomweight: Ailed Zubieta vs. Giulliany Perêa
Featherweight: Ali Pellegrini vs. Marissa Ellis
Flyweight: Ashley Barrett vs. Tatiana Salazar

About Invicta FC:
A subsidiary of Anthem Sports and Entertainment, Inc., Invicta Fighting Championships is breaking barriers in women’s sports as the premier all-female promotion delivering unparalleled world championships and all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) events. The history-making Invicta FC continues to pave the way for all to follow, providing female athletes from around the globe with a major platform where they are able to compete against other top talent. Founded in 2012 by veteran MMA executive Shannon Knapp, Invicta is pioneering the future growth of women’s MMA, putting the spotlight on the absolute best match-ups while identifying and developing the sport’s future stars. Follow Invicta on Instagram (@InvictaFC), TikTok (@InvictaFC), X (@InvictaFights) and Facebook (InvictaFights) for all the latest information. Watch Invicta FC live events on CBS Sports Network.

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Invicta FC 26 Results: Maia Outlasts Niedźwiedź, Dern Submits Medeiros

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Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, Dec. 8, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź from the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Jennifer Maia is still the Invicta flyweight champion after a five-round war with Poland’s Aga Niedźwiedź. The Brazilian rocked Niedźwiedź early with a right hand that caused the right cheek of the challenger to swell. Niedźwiedź was able to get the fight to the canvas late in the opening round, but Maia was active from her back. It was Niedźwiedź who did the damage in round two, rocking Maia with punches. The champion survived and implemented her strong clinch game. Maia relentlessly pinned Niedźwiedź to the fence and weighed on her. The grueling action took its toll on Niedźwiedź, as Maia turned up her output in the championship rounds. Both fighters bled from their noses in the final round, but Maia’s volume was the difference as all three judges rewarded her efforts.

Mackenzie Dern stayed undefeated in her Invicta debut, submitting former strawweight title challenger Kaline Medeiros in the third round. Dern found success with her overhand right throughout the fight, rocking Medeiros on several occasions. A mouse formed under the left eye of Medeiros from the heavy shots. The fight found the ground in round two and Dern looked for a toe hold before passing to mount and scoring with ground and pound. Most of the third stanza took place on the feet, but Dern went for the finish in the bout’s final minute. She earned a trip takedown, passed to mount and then earned a tap from an armbar with just seconds remaining in the fight.

A pair of Brazilians delivered one of the bloodiest fights in Invicta history as Janaisa Morandin and Kinberly Novaes went to war for three rounds. The two immediately went to the clinch and began delivering elbows and knees. When they did separate, it was Morandin who scored with big punches. The second round saw Morandin severely damage the nose of Novaes and blood began to pour all over both fighters. The assault by Morandin continued throughout the remainder of the fight as she pressed forward and battered Novaes. Novaes survived to the final horn, but Morandin swept the scorecards.

Two-time flyweight title challenger Vanessa Porto survived an early storm from UFC veteran Milana Dudieva to earn a third-round TKO victory. Porto’s kicking arsenal was on display in the opening stanza, until Dudieva caught her with a punch behind the ear. Porto looked for a takedown, but Dudieva was able to secure the scarf-hold position and eventually took her back. She rained punches, but Porto survived and moved to top position. Round two featured more of Porto’s stand-up attack, as she chewed up the lead leg of Dudieva with kicks. In the final frame, Porto shifted her strikes to the body of Dudieva, backing her against the fence. An onslaught of punches and kicks to the midsection sent Dudieva to the canvas, handing Porto the TKO win.

Brazil’s Virna Jandiroba remained undefeated and sent a message to the rest of the strawweight division, submitting Amy Montenegro inside the first round. Jandiroba peppered Montenegro with body kicks before changing levels and securing a takedown. She smoothly transitioned from side control to mount before locking up the arm of Montenegro and earning the victory.

Former atomweight title challenger Amber Brown got back in the win column with a lightning-fast submission win over Tessa Simpson. Brown looked to get the fight to the ground right off the bat, but Simpson was able to scramble to top position. Brown slapped on an armbar from her back, forcing Simpson to defend and eventually tap less than a minute into the fight.

In a battle of flyweight striking stalwarts, Mexico’s Karina Rodríguez used crisp boxing and volume to edge out Christine Ferea on the scorecards. Ferea’s kicking game was the story early in the fight, but Rodríguez used the clinch to score knees and settle into range. Rodríguez fired combination after combination, but Ferea marched forward throughout the three-round affair. The pair traded until the final bell, but it was Rodríguez who had her hand raised.

Kicking off the night, strawweight Kay Hansen was successful in her professional debut, submitting fellow newcomer Emilee Prince by armbar. Hansen initiated the clinch and took the fight to the mat. She passed to mount, attacked the left arm of Prince and coerced the tap.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Aga Niedźwiedź by unanimous decision (49-46 x3) – for flyweight title
Mackenzie Dern def. Kaline Medeiros by submission (armbar). Round 3, 4:45
Janaisa Morandin def. Kinberly Novaes by unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Vanessa Porto def. Milana Dudieva by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 3:02
Virna Jandiroba def. Amy Montenegro by submission (armbar). Round 1, 2:50
Amber Brown def. Tessa Simpson by submission (armbar). Round 1, 0:50
Karina Rodríguez def. Christine Ferea by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Kay Hansen def. Emilee Prince by submission (armbar). Round 1, 1:23

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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Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź Official Weigh-in Results

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Kansas City, Mo. — On Thursday, Dec. 7, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź. The event takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, Dec. 8, and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

In the night’s main event, flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) will defend her 125-pound title against undefeated Polish fighter Aga Niedźwiedź (10-0). Brazil’s Maia is coming off back-to-back “Fight of the Year” contenders against Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto. Niedźwiedź, meanwhile, kept her perfect record intact in May, besting the aforementioned Porto in the Invicta FC 23 main event.

The co-main event features former strawweight title challenger Kaline Medeiros (8-5) and undefeated grappling stalwart Mackenzie Dern (4-0).

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

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (123.3) vs. Aga Niedźwiedź (124.6)
Strawweight: Kaline Medeiros (115.8) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115.9)
Strawweight: Janaisa Morandin (115.4) vs. Kinberly Novaes (121.8)*
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (127.6)* vs. Milana Dudieva (125.6)
Strawweight: Amy Montenegro (117.6)* vs. Virna Jandiroba (114.3)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (106.3)* vs. Tessa Simpson (105.4)
Flyweight: Christine Ferea (125.7) vs. Karina Rodríguez (124.7)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (114.4) vs. Emilee Prince (115.5)

* – Novaes, Porto, Montenegro and Brown were each fined 25 percent of their fight purses for missing weight

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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Jennifer Maia vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź Headlines Invicta FC 26

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Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships will return to action on Friday, Dec. 8, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) will defend her 125-pound title against undefeated Polish fighter Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (10-0). Brazil’s Maia is coming off back-to-back “Fight of the Year” contenders against Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto. Niedźwiedź, meanwhile, kept her perfect record intact in May, besting the aforementioned Porto in the Invicta FC 23 main event.

The co-main event features the return of Japan’s MIZUKI (12-4) against Brazilian Janaisa Morandin (9-1). The 23-year-old MIZUKI enters the contest having won four straight, including a second-round armbar finish of Lynn Alvarez in her most recent Invicta appearance. Morandin thrilled in an action-packed bout at Invicta FC 25, taking home “Fight of the Night” honors for her battle with former champion Livia Renata Souza.

Also on the card, former flyweight title challenger Vanessa Porto (18-8) takes on Australia’s Jessica-Rose “Jessy Jess” Clark (7-4, 1 NC).

The current fight card for Invicta FC 26 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (14-4-1) vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (10-0)
Strawweight: MIZUKI (12-4) vs. Janaisa Morandin (9-1)
Flyweight: Vanessa Porto (18-8) vs. Jessica-Rose Clark (7-4, 1 NC)

Tickets for the event go on sale Saturday, Oct. 28 at 10 a.m. CT via Tickeyfly.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.

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Invicta FC 19 Results: Maia, Hamasaki Retain Titles

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Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, Sept. 23, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi from the historic Scottish Rite Temple. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The flyweight title clash between Jennifer Maia and Roxanne Modafferi was a closely contested affair throughout. Modafferi opened with a jumping kick and pushed Maia against the fence. Maia separated and the pair traded combination after combination. Maia scored with knees from the clinch and an uppercut on the break.  The second round saw the fight hit the ground as Modafferi got a takedown, but ended up on her back. She attacked with an armbar, but Maia was able to escape. The fight again hit the mat in round three, but Maia looked for a guillotine choke. Modafferi’s pace slowed in rounds four and five, while Maia increased her volume on the feet. That was the difference on the scorecards as two of the three judges rewarded Maia with the decision, allowing her to retain her title.

Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki retained her title with a second-round stoppage of challenger Jinh Yu Frey. Frey came out hungry, kicking Hamasaki’s lead leg. Hamasaki sought to take the fight to the mat, but Frey pummeled well. Late in the first round, Hamasaki attacked with an Americana while standing. Frey took the fight to the mat and escaped the submission attempt. From top position, Frey rained punches and took the back of Hamasaki as the round expired. Round two was all Frey for the first four minutes as she frequently countered with her left hand. In the final minute of the frame, Hamasaki came alive. She rocked Frey with a pair of right hands. The second punch opened a large cut over the left eye of Frey, prompting the referee to call in the doctor. The doctor quickly halted the contest, handing Hamasaki the win.

Former bantamweight title challenger Irene Aldana continued her march back toward contention with a first-round finish of New Zealand’s Faith Van Duin. Van Duin was aggressive to start the bout, backing Aldana against the cage. Aldana settled down and began to land her right hand. She frequently wobbled Van Duin along the cage, but Van Duin would not go down. Blood poured from both fighters as the fight progressed. Van Duin’s right hand found a home, but Aldana’s pressure was too much. Late in the frame, Aldana dropped Van Duin and flurried for the TKO finish.

Veteran Kaline Medeiros handed previously undefeated Indian fighter Manjit Kolekar her first loss by unanimous decision. Medeiros pressured Kolekar early, but absorbed multiple body kicks. That prompted Medeiros to seek the takedown. She slammed Kolekar to the mat over and over again, but the Indian fighter frequently scrambled free. The final frame was a war of attrition on the feet, but the pressure and volume of Medeiros were the difference with the judges.

The professional MMA debut of kickboxing star Tiffany Van Soest did not go as planned as fellow newcomer Kal Holliday used her superior wresting and grappling to submit Van Soest in round two. Holliday’s strategy was clear as she frequently took the fight to the ground. Van Soest demonstrated solid submission defense and frequently worked back to the feet. Holliday scored with a massive suplex midway through the opening stanza, but Van Soest later answered with a nasty right hand that buckled the knees of the Oregon fighter. The second round was more of the same, as Holliday took Van Soest down and worked to her back. This time, however, Holliday was able to coerce the tap.

In a battle of atomweight newcomers, Julia Jones kept her undefeated record intact with a first-round submission win over Stephanie Skinner. Jones fired kicks from the open bell. Skinner tried to answer, but Jones caught a kick and took her to the mat. After escaping an armbar attempt from Skinner, Jones passed to the mount and then took Skinner’s back. Once there, she sunk in the rear-naked choke to finish the fight.

Featherweight Amber Leibrock gave newcomer Amy Coleman a rude welcome to the Invicta cage, earning a first-round TKO finish. Coleman pressured forward into the clinch, but Leibrock scored with knees. The judo black belt Coleman scored with a hip toss, but Leibrock would not be held down. Back in the clinch, Leibrock delivered knees to the liver, dropping Coleman. She flurried with punches to earn the stoppage.

Making her professional debut, Iceland’s Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir showcased excellent range and slick grappling to take a decision over Ashley Greenway. It was Davidsdottir’s striking that was the story early, but she transitioned to the ground in round two. After putting Greenway on her back, she repeatedly threatened to end the fight with a rear-naked choke. Greenway survived to the final bell, but Davidsdottir swept the scorecards for her first victory.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Roxanne Modafferi by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) – for flyweight title
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Jinh Yu Frey by TKO (doctor’s stoppage). Round 2, 4:38 – for atomweight title
Irene Aldana def. Faith Van Duin by TKO (punches). Round 1, 4:57
Kaline Medeiros def. Manjit Kolekar by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Kal Holliday def. Tiffany Van Soest by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 2:08
Julia Jones def. Stephanie Skinner by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 2:38
Amber Leibrock def. Amy Coleman by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 3:15
Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir def. Ashley Greenway by unanimous decision (30-27 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.