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Two Title Bouts Headline Invicta FC 19 on Sept. 23 in Kansas City

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Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships is staying in the Midwest for its 19th event. The promotion will return to the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, Sept. 23. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

In the night’s main event, interim flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (13-4-1) will put her belt on the line against veteran Roxanne Modafferi (19-12). Brazil’s Maia captured gold at Invicta FC 16 in March in a “Fight of the Year” battle with countrywoman Vanessa Porto. The 27-year-old currently rides a four-fight winning streak. The UFC and Strikeforce veteran Modafferi has won four of her five appearances in the Invicta cage. The Las Vegas-based fighter has won back-to-back fights over DeAnna Bennett and Mariana Morais.

The co-main event will also feature gold on the line as atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (13-1) aims to make her second title defense against Jinh Yu Frey (5-1). Japan’s Hamasaki was last in action in March, submitting challenger Amber Brown via third-round armbar to retain her 105-pound championship. Frey will enter the title match-up having won three straight fights under the Invicta FC banner, including a decision win over former champion Herica Tiburcio in her last outing.

The current fight card for Invicta FC 19 can be found below:

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (13-4-1) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (19-12)
Atomweight Title: Ayaka Hamasaki (13-1) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (5-1)

Ticket information and additional bouts for Invicta FC 19 will be announced at a later date.

Follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), or Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest details on the event.

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.

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Invicta FC 16 Results: Hamasaki Retains, Maia Captures Gold

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Las Vegas — On Friday, March 11, Invicta Fighting Championships visited the Trinidad Pavilion at Tropicana Las Vegas for its 16th event. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 8:30 p.m. ET.

Invicta atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki faced adversity in her first title defense against challenger Amber Brown, but the Japanese fighter retained her belt with a third-round armbar finish. Hamasaki landed a takedown in round one and landed punches from the top position, but Brown threw up a triangle choke and Hamasaki was forced to defend. Round two was nearly a carbon-copy of the first, but Hamasaki attacked the right arm of Brown with a keylock and a straight armbar attempt. In round three, Hamasaki’s repeated attacks on Brown’s arm paid off as she was able to extend the arm and coerce a tap.

Brazilians Jennifer Maia and Vanessa Porto put on a show in the night’s co-main event, with Maia leaving the cage with the interim flyweight title. Porto came out aggressive, dropping Maia with a right hand in the opening stanza. Maia recovered, but Porto continued to come forward with kicks. Porto scored with a big slam in round two and nearly locked in an armbar. Maia survived the early action and established her range on the feet. Porto’s nose bled badly as the fight wore on, as Maia’s combinations found a home. Maia surprisingly locked up an armbar of her own in round four, but Porto was able to defend. The fifth round decided the title affair, with Maia proving to be the fresher fighter. Maia sought a late guillotine that Porto escaped, but the judges handed Maia Invicta FC gold.

Strawweight Angela Hill proved that stepping up on short notice was no big deal, as she stopped former title fighter Stephanie Eggink by second-round TKO. Hill was in Eggink’s face early, but Eggink found openings for body kicks. As Eggink continued to kick, Hill found her timing and began to counter. Multiple overhand rights found the jaw of Eggink and in round two, a heavy shot sent her crashing to the ground. Hill followed with more punches and the referee waved off the bout.

Mexico’s Irene Aldana needed just three minutes to give UFC veteran Jessamyn Duke a rude welcome back to the Invicta cage. The bantamweights exchanged punches from the opening bell, with Aldana repeatedly finding Duke’s jaw with her right hand. A heavy shot wobbled Duke along the cage and Aldana smelled blood. She unleashed a flurry of body shots that saw Duke crumble to the canvas for the TKO.

Veteran Roxanne Modafferi and former title challenger DeAnna Bennett battled hard for three rounds. Modafferi’s forward pressure was the story of the fight, as she frequently backed Bennett against the cage. Bennett earned a big slam in the first round, but the action largely played out on the feet. Modafferi’s volume punching forced Bennett to counter with body kicks, but she could not match the output. When it was all said and done, the judges were split; leaving Modafferi victorious.

Atomweight Jinh Yu Frey made her case for a title shot, outworking former titleholder Herica Tiburcio en route to a unanimous decision win. The pair spent the majority of the fight on the feet, trading combinations. Tiburcio chewed up the lead leg of Frey with kicks, but Frey’s ability to counter with punches were the difference. Frey dropped Tiburcio with a left hand late in round two, but ultimately the fight went the distance.

Making her flyweight debut, veteran Sarah D’Alelio outlasted a very game Andrea Lee, scoring a late, third-round submission victory. Lee’s striking arsenal was on display in the first frame, as she battered the lead leg of D’Alelio. D’Alelio answered with wrestling in the middle round, leading to a do-or-die final five minutes. Lee scored with a gorgeous hip toss along the cage, but D’Alelio scrambled to top position and then transitioned to Lee’s back. Once there, she slapped on the fight-finishing rear-naked choke and Lee was forced to tap.

Stepping in on short notice, unbeaten Aspen Ladd put on a clinic in her bantamweight debut. Ladd immediately took opponent Kelly McGill to the ground and showcased her strong grappling game. Ladd threatened with choke attempts, but it was her steady stream of punches and elbows that took its toll on McGill. In the third stanza, Ladd poured it on and forced the referee to halt the contest.

In the night’s opening bout, debuting strawweights Ashley Greenway and Sarah Click fought hard for three rounds. Click scored with kicks early, but Greenway found her range midway through the fight. The final frame was all Greenway as she scored a takedown and tied Click into knots with multiple submission attempts. The judges rewarded Greenway for her efforts with a unanimous decision nod.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Ayaka Hamasaki def. Amber Brown by submission (armbar). Round 3, 2:52 – for atomweight title
Jennifer Maia def. Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision (49-46, 48-47, 48-47) – for interim flyweight title
Angela Hill def. Stephanie Eggink by TKO (punches). Round 2, 2:36
Irene Aldana def. Jessamyn Duke by TKO (punches). Round 1, 3:08
Roxanne Modafferi def. DeAnna Bennett by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jinh Yu Frey def. Herica Tiburcio by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Sarah D’Alelio def. Andrea Lee by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 3, 4:21
Aspen Ladd def. Kelly McGill by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 1:47
Ashley Greenway def. Sarah Click by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)

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).

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Invicta FC Returns to Las Vegas on March 11

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Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships is headed back to Sin City for its 16th event.

Today the promotion announced that it will visit the Trinidad Pavilion at Tropicana Las Vegas on Friday, March 11. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8:30 p.m. ET.

The main event will see recently crowned atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (12-1) make her first title defense against the hard-charging Amber Brown (6-1). Japan’s Hamasaki captured gold last July with a decision win over Herica Tiburcio at Invicta FC 13. Brown, meanwhile, has won three straight in the Invicta cage, including back-to-back, first-round submission finishes. She topped Shino VanHoose at Invicta FC 15 in January via guillotine choke.

In the co-main event, the promotion will crown an interim flyweight champion as Brazilians Vanessa Porto (18-6) and Jennifer Maia (12-4-1) face off. Both fighters enter the match-up riding three-fight winning streaks. Porto was most recently in action against Roxanne Modafferi at Invicta FC 12, while Maia will return to the Invicta cage after three bouts in her home country.

The rest of the card is stacked with exciting match-ups. Unbeaten Mexican phenom Alexa Grasso (7-0) meets former title challenger Stephanie Eggink (4-2) at strawweight, recent bantamweight title combatant Irene Aldana (5-2) welcomes UFC veteran Jessamyn Duke (3-3) back to the promotion, veteran Roxanne Modafferi (18-12) will face DeAnna Bennett (8-1) in her return to the flyweight division, former atomweight champion Herica Tiburcio (9-3) takes on Jinh Yu Frey (4-1), and Andrea Lee (4-1) will clash with Sarah D’Alelio (8-6) in her flyweight debut.

Rounding out the card, bantamweight Kelly McGill (2-0) returns from injury to meet newcomer Amberlynn Orr (0-0), while strawweights Ashley Greenway (0-0) and Sarah Click (0-0) make their professional debuts.

The fight card for Invicta FC 16 can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Ayaka Hamasaki (12-1) vs. Amber Brown (6-1)
Interim Flyweight Title: Vanessa Porto (18-6) vs. Jennifer Maia (12-4-1)
Strawweight: Alexa Grasso (7-0) vs. Stephanie Eggink (4-2)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (5-2) vs. Jessamyn Duke (3-3)
Flyweight: Roxanne Modafferi (18-12) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-1)
Atomweight: Herica Tiburcio (9-3) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (4-1)
Flyweight: Andrea Lee (4-1) vs. Sarah D’Alelio (8-6)
Bantamweight: Kelly McGill (2-0) vs. Amberlynn Orr (0-0)
Strawweight: Ashley Greenway (0-0) vs. Sarah Click (0-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 16 go on sale Friday, Feb. 19. Tickets will be available for purchase at the Tropicana Las Vegas Show Tickets desk, by calling 800-829-9034, or online at troplv.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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

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FIGHTING WORDS: JENNIFER MAIA

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Brazilian submission authority Jennifer Maia tests herself against fan-favorite Leslie Smith, July 13th at Invicta FC 6.

Despite the matchup determining who will next face 125 pound champion Barb Honchak, Maia feels no extra pressure against the always active Smith. Confidence gained from an upset victory over Zoila Gurgel at IFC 5 will be put to use against Smith in a bout that should be a contender for Fight of the Night on July 13th.

Corey Smith: Zoila Gurgel was heavily favored in your last matchup. Does it bother you to be considered an underdog or do you use it as motivation?

Jennifer Maia:  It served as motivation for me because I competed with a high level athlete.

CS: That matchup resulted in a victory for you. How did that match go according to your expectations?

JM: It was very good because I knew it would be a hard fight, and managed to cancel the game my opponent.

CS: If you had to self-critique the bout with Gurgel, what areas do you feel you needed to strengthen? What areas were you satisfied with?

JM: I am so pleased with everything that I’m developing in fights. Every fight I’m learning I need to improve it all.

CS: What was the experience like fighting for Invicta and in the United States for the first time?

JM: It was really wonderful; I followed the previous editions of the event and was a fan when I saw at the event was an achievement.

CS: Invicta goes to great lengths to make sure their fighters only have to concentrate on their fights, going so far as to bring in someone just to braid athlete’s hair before the fight. What do things like that do for your performance in the cage?

JM: I think the treatment is excellent. With the athletes surely this help and is very important. We stayed focused and thinking only of fighting.

CS: Were there any additional difficulties with regards to travelling so far for the bout?

JM: No, a bit tiring but normal travel.

CS: What is the atmosphere like behind the scenes on an all-female show compared to one that may only have one or two female bouts?

JM: It is good despite the anxiety we all are well focused and I feel more comfortable.

CS: Your opponent at Invicta FC 6, Leslie Smith, is dropping down from 135lbs for the first time. What are you expecting out of the bout? And do you anticipate any difficulties due to her larger frame?

JM: Training a lot!

CS: The bout with Smith also carries with it title shot implications. Do those stakes add any pressure as you prepare for the bout?

JM: Not because I live with every fight. Now I’m thinking in this fight first.

CS: What is your mood like on the day of the fight? Do you have any superstitions or routines that you perform beforehand?

JM: No, I don’t have any.

CS: How has the MMA scene grown in your native Brazil since major promotions have begun holding cards there on a regular basis?

JM: It is growing very fast.

CS: Lastly, MMA is as much a team sport as it is an individual one. Who would you like to thank?

JM: I thank my coach, the teammates, sponsors Tanoshi, Supplements, Team Saver that helps my fitness and all who support me and cheer for me.

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FIGHTING WORDS WITH JENNIFER MAIA

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A rising prospect out of Brazil, Jennifer Maia will make her Invicta and US debut on April 5th against Zoila Gurgel at Invicta FC 5.

Maia is a member of the legendary Team Chute Boxe, who have produced such notable athletes as Wanderlei Silva, Shogun Rua, and Invicta’s own, Cris “Cyborg” Santos. A submission ace looking to make a name in the US, Maia should provide a stiff matchup for Zoila Gurgel on April 5th.

Corey Smith: How did you first get into MMA, and what was the discipline you started training first? What keeps you competing in the sport?

Jennifer Maia: I started to compete in Muay Thai initially. When I found MMA getting more exposure I migrated to MMA, and won my first fight by knock out. I want to be recognized for always giving good shows in my fights.

CS: This will be your first bout in the United States, what are you looking forward to the most?

JM:  I preparing myself very well to fight a good fight and keep going with Invicta FC.

CS:  What types of challenges do female fighters face in Brazil? Are you able to maintain a regular fighting schedule?

JM:   People are still a little biased towards females fighting, but now it is slowly starting to change. A lack of sponsorships for female fighters can also be a problem. And yes, I have been able to maintain a regular fighting schedule here in Brazil.

CS: When you aren’t training, what type of things do you enjoy doing?

JM:  I like to run, and hang out with friends.

CS: What helps you unwind after a long day of training camp?

JM:  A long hot shower and watching a good movie.

CS: Many considered it a controversial move, but in your last fight Sheila Gaff went on the offensive immediately following the traditional touching of the gloves. Do you feel like it was an unfair advantage on her part, and would you like a rematch?

JM:  I would not like a rematch. It was unfair from her, we never touched hand. Sheila give a fake touch with one hand and then punched with the other.

CS: Many fighters say they learn more from their losses than they do from their victories. What have you learned from yours?

JM:  I learned to be a better athlete, and a better professional.

CS: This will be your first fight for Invicta FC, how has your experience with them so far been? Have you heard from other fighters in regards to fighting for Invicta?

JM:  I have seen a very organized event, along with a high level staff. Yes, the event has a good visibility and reputation with the fighters.

CS:  You are set to face off against Zoila Gurgel at Invicta FC 5, who brings great standup and a wealth of experience to the cage. What are you expecting out of this fight?

JM:  A very hard fight, but a great show for the public for sure.

CS: How familiar are you with Gurgel?

JM:  I watched her fights, and we come from the same style of fighting

CS: When you are in the cage, what type of coaching and feedback do you look for from your corner? Does anyone’s voice standout over the others?

JM:  I just listen to my coach voice, he knows my game. He knows how to make me attack or defend better.

CS: Many consider you a submission specialist. Do you prefer a submission or a knockout?

JM:  I am looking for the win, so I always go where the fight is easiest for me.

CS: Most fighters list the weight cut as the hardest part of MMA. Aside from that, what do you consider the hardest part?

JM:  The worst part it is the day to day grind. Working and training everyday, but luckily I love my job. Some days get me very tired.

CS: Lastly, MMA is equally a team sports as it is an individual sport. Who would you like to thank?

JM:  I would like to thank my coach, who’s believed in me and is always on my side. My training partners at Chute Boxe, and my sponsors Tanoshi equipment and Suplemais supplements, both believed in me since I started fight.