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Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander Official Weigh-in Results

Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, July 20, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander. The event takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, July 21, and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

In the night’s main event, the atomweight title will be on the line when Texas product Jinh Yu Frey (6-3) takes on Finland’s Minna Grusander (6-1). Frey is a former title challenger who will be making her seventh appearance inside the Invicta cage. Grusander, dubbed “Brutsku,” made a successful promotional debut at Invicta FC 28 in March.

The night’s co-main event takes place in the featherweight division as undefeated Felicia Spencer (4-0) takes on Ukrainian Helena Kolesnyk (5-1).

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

Atomweight Title: Jinh Yu Frey (104.8) vs. Minna Grusander (104.7)
Featherweight:
Felicia Spencer (145.8) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (144.2)
Straweight:
Kinberly Novaes (116) vs. Heather Jo Clark (116)
Flyweight:
Miranda Maverick (125.1) vs. Brogan Walker-Sanchez (125.8)
Bantamweight:
Kerri Kenneson (135.2) vs. Stephanie Geltmacher (135.5)
Atomweight:
Jillian DeCoursey (105.9) vs. Alesha Zappitella (105.5)
Atomweight:
Alyse Anderson (105.4) vs. Stephanie Alba (105.9)
Flyweight:
Erin Blanchfield (124.1) vs. Brittney Cloudy (125.9)


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.

Jinh Yu Frey vs. Minna Grusander Title Clash Headlines Invicta FC 30 on July 21

Kansas City, Mo. — The 30th event from Invicta Fighting Championship has its main event.

The atomweight title will be on the line when Texas product Jinh Yu Frey (6-3) takes on Finland’s Minna Grusander (6-1) in the night’s headliner.

Frey will be making her seventh appearance inside the Invicta cage. A former title challenger, the 32-year-old fighter picked up her fourth career win under the promotional banner last July when she defeated veteran Ashley Cummins by decision.

Grusander, dubbed “Brutsku,” made a successful debut in the sport’s most competitive 105-pound division at Invicta FC 28 in March. The Finnish fighter stopped Brazilian Fernanda Priscila with strikes to score her fifth career finish.

Invicta FC 30 takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Saturday, July 21. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

Additional bouts for the event will be announced in the coming weeks.


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 24 Fight Card Complete, Tonya Evinger Steps Into Main Event

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships 24 has a new main event.

Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger (19-5, 1 NC) will move up in weight to take on promotional newcomer Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC) in a three-round, non-title featherweight match-up.

Joining the new headliner will be seven additional bouts.

In the night’s co-main event, UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (11-5) meets newly signed Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC) at flyweight. Both fighters will be making their Invicta debuts. Russia’s Dudieva joins the organization after battles in the UFC against top bantamweights Marion Reneau and Julianna Pena, while Italy’s Borella enters the bout winning four of her last five fights.

Rising bantamweight contender Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-5) returns to the Invicta cage against recent title challenger Yana Kunitskaya (9-3, 1 NC) of Russia. The Hawaii native Pa’aluhi has won four of her last five fights, most recently submitting Pannie Kianzad in the first round at Invicta FC 21 in January. Kunitskaya looks to rebound after back-to-back fights against Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger.

Missouri product Ashley Cummins (5-3) continues her run at atomweight as she meets former title challenger Jinh Yu Frey (5-2). Cummins nearly submitted Amber Brown in her previous outing but settled for a decision win, while Frey hopes to bounce back from defeat by doctor’s stoppage at Invicta FC 19 in September.

Two new additions to the roster collide when Karina Rodríguez (4-2) and Bárbara Acioly (4-0) throw down in the flyweight division. Rodríguez has battled tough competition in Mexico, including a bout with former Invicta FC strawweight contender Alexa Grasso. After early success in her native Brazil, Acioly has earned back-to-back wins on American soil.

Iceland’s Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir (2-0) takes on Kelly D’Angelo (2-0) and Mallory Martin (1-1) welcomes Tiffany Masters (2-0) to the promotion, both at strawweight. Finally, Amy Coleman (2-1) of Tennessee meets Felicia Spencer (2-0) of Florida in a featherweight match-up.

Invicta FC 24 takes place Saturday, July 15, from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT.

The updated Invicta FC 24 fight card can be found below:

Featherweight: Tonya Evinger (19-5, 1 NC) vs. Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC)
Flyweight: Milana Dudieva (11-5) vs. Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-5)  vs. Yana Kunitskaya (9-3, 1 NC)
Atomweight: Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) vs. Ashley Cummins (5-3)
Flyweight: Karina Rodríguez (4-2) vs. Bárbara Acioly (4-0)
Strawweight: Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir (2-0) vs. Kelly D’Angelo (2-0)
Strawweight: Mallory Martin (1-1) vs. Tiffany Masters (2-0)
Featherweight: Felicia Spencer (2-0) vs. Amy Coleman (2-1)

Tickets for the event can be purchased through 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.

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.

Invicta FC 19 Results: Maia, Hamasaki Retain Titles

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.

Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi Official Weigh-in Results

Kansas City, Mo. — On Thursday, Sept. 22, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi. The event takes place from Scottish Rite Temple on Friday, Sept. 23 and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

Invicta FC 19 will be headlined by flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (13-4-1), who puts her belt on the line against veteran Roxanne Modafferi (19-12). The co-main event also features gold on the line as atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (13-1) aims to make her second title defense against Jinh Yu Frey (5-1).

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

Flyweight Title: Jennifer Maia (124.7) vs. Roxanne Modafferi (124.8)
Atomweight Title: Ayaka Hamasaki (104.5) vs. Jinh Yu Frey (104.6)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (135.8) vs. Faith Van Duin (138.5)*
Strawweight: Manjit Kolekar (115.5) vs. Kaline Medeiros (115.2)
Strawweight: Tiffany Van Soest (114.7) vs. Kal Holliday (115.9)
Atomweight: Julia Jones (104.5) vs. Stephanie Skinner (105.2)
Featherweight: Amber Leibrock (145.1) vs. Amy Coleman (144.7)
Strawweight: Ashley Greenway (115.3) vs. Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir (115.3)

* – Van Duin was fined 25 percent of her fight purse 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.

Invicta FC 19 Adds Six More Bouts

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 19 has added six more bouts.

In addition to the previously announced pair of title fights, Mexico’s Irene Aldana (5-2) will take on former featherweight Faith Van Duin (6-2) of New Zealand, undefeated Indian strawweight Manjit Kolekar (9-0) meets veteran Kaline Medeiros (7-4), striking stalwart Tiffany Van Soest (0-0) makes her professional and promotional debut against a soon-to-be-announced strawweight opponent, atomweight Julia Jones (4-0) looks to keep her perfect record intact against Stephanie Skinner (4-5), Amber Leibrock (1-1) welcomes fellow featherweight Amy Coleman (2-0) to the Invicta cage, and Ashley Greenway (1-0) clashes with Icelandic newcomer Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir (0-0).

Invicta FC 19 will be headlined by interim flyweight champion Jennifer Maia (13-4-1), who puts her belt on the line against veteran Roxanne Modafferi (19-12). The co-main event also features gold on the line as atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki (13-1) aims to make her second title defense against Jinh Yu Frey (5-1). The event takes place from the historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., on Friday, Sept. 23 and airs live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.

The complete 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)
Bantamweight: Irene Aldana (5-2) vs. Faith Van Duin (6-2)
Strawweight: Manjit Kolekar (9-0) vs. Kaline Medeiros (7-4)
Strawweight: Tiffany Van Soest (0-0) vs. TBA
Atomweight: Julia Jones (4-0) vs. Stephanie Skinner (4-5)
Featherweight: Amber Leibrock (1-1) vs. Amy Coleman (2-0)
Strawweight: Ashley Greenway (1-0) vs. Sunna Rannveig Davidsdottir (0-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 19 go on sale tomorrow, Saturday, Aug. 27, at 11 a.m. ET and will be available for $75, $50 and $35 at Ticketfly.com.

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.

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

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.

Fighting Words: Jinh Yu Frey

When your knockout win is viewed over 2 million times, finding an opponent can become a difficult thing, but Jinh Yu Frey believes those struggles are behind her with her debut at Invicta FC 8  September 6th against Jodie Esquibel.

 
Corey Smith: Like many others, you initially entered into the world of martial arts for the fitness aspect. What caught your attention and kept it in regards to martial arts?
Jinh Yu Frey: I’m a very competitive person and martial arts are the epitome of competition.

 

CS: Most of your immediate family has a history with martial arts. How do they feel about your fighting career?
JYF: Everyone has been really supportive. My older brother has actually started fighting as well, and my nephew competes in Jiu Jitsu. My niece just turned 5, and I believe she wants to start Jiu Jitsu too.

 

CS: Speaking of careers, you manage to fight professionally, maintain a career, and pursue an MBA. How do you balance all three aspects of your life?
JYF: I don’t know myself sometimes. Some days are pretty crazy. I just have to be a diligent steward of my time because I don’t get a lot of free time. Luckily, I have a very supportive husband who understands what the demands on my time are. He does most of our house work and prepares most of my meals for me. He also helps set my training schedule for the week.
JYF: Recently, he purchased wrestling mats for our guest bedroom so that we can do extra drilling at home. My work is usually pretty easy going about my fighting and gives me time off when I need it.
JYF: In the MBA program I attend, most of it is group work and my classmates have been generous in doing a little extra when I can’t and vice versa. To sum it up, I think I am just blessed to be surrounded by such supportive people.

 

CS: Fighting was also responsible for your marriage to your husband. How did that come about?
JYF: I was helping a team mate with her weight cut and was there to support her for her pro debut which also just happened to be on a card that my future husband was fighting on as well. After the fights everyone was out celebrating and we hit it off pretty well, even though he had been hitting on my little sister at the weigh ins. (He swears he thought I was with someone, so he hit on her)

 

CS: In just your second professional bout, you scored what many considered the best knockout in all of MMA for 2013 against Darla Harris. The KO went on to become a viral sensation. What was that experience like for you?
JYF: It was pretty surreal to see the extent at which it blew up. I wouldn’t by any means call myself famous, but I am still blown away by the attention my fighting has garnered. I’ve actually been on another continent and met someone who has seen it.

 

CS: The video also caused problems for you in regards to finding willing opponents. Do you believe that will still be a problem in Invicta FC? How has your experience been like thus far with the company?
JYF: Not at all. Invicta FC has been great. They are extremely professional and I think the long wait will be well worth it.

 

CS: Your opponent on September 6th, Jodie Esquibel, has had a slightly longer career, and brings a wealth of knowledge with her via Jackson’s MMA. What are you expectations of yourself and your opponent in the bout?
JYF: I think I’m taking a big leap in competition in accepting a bout with Jodie. She has quite a bit of experience and a lot of ring savvy. She comes from a very strategic camp and is a very good athlete. That being said, I also believe in my abilities and my camp. I have been working extremely hard and I’m anxious to see the fruits of my labors.
JYF:  Jodie will be a good test of where my skill is. I don’t believe there are any easy fights coming out of Jackson’s camp, but I know I possess the needed determination, ambition, and perseverance. There are very few things that I have failed at once I set my mind to it.

 

CS: What is your mood on fight night? Do you have any routines or superstitions that you have to perform?
JYF: I just try to stay calm and mellow. I usually go over things in my head that I may have had trouble with over the course of my camp. I also go over in my head what to do if I get put in a bad position.
JYF: That way, if it should happen, it’s fresh in my mind and I can stay composed. I don’t have any routines and I’m not much for superstition. Little things like that do not change the work I’ve put in.

 

CS: Aside from fight preparation, how much MMA do you watch purely for enjoyment?
JYF: I love watching MMA. I don’t watch any other sports besides combat sports. I like watching other people’s styles and flow.

 

CS: Outside of the gym and MMA, what types of activities do you enjoy for fun? What helps you to relax?
JYF: I’m an avid world traveler. I love getting out of my comfort zone and off the beaten track with my husband and our backpacks. We’ve recently started trying to climb a mountain in every country we go to. We started off climbing Ben Nevis in the Scottish Highlands, then the Peruvian Andes on our trek to Machu Picchu, and this year we tried to summit Cotopaxi in Ecuador. We fell about 2,000 feet short of the summit, but 17,000 feet is still much higher than I have ever been. I’ve done missions work in Kenya, seen original Van Gogh’s in Amsterdam, surfed in Fiji, and I still haven’t even put a dent in my bucket list.
JYF: I’m also a bookworm. When I’m not in school or training for a fight, I can easily devour 5 books a week.

 

CS: Lastly, MMA takes a team to succeed alone inside the cage. Who would you like to thank?
JYF:  My husband, my coaches, my manger Adolph, my team at Mohler MMA, the people at Team Takedown where I cross-train, and Invicta FC for believing in me enough to give me this opportunity.
JYF: Also, my amazing sponsors who help me on this crazy journey of mine: Gamma Labs, Apocalypse MMA, KV Cattle Co, #FritzFowler, and Damage Control Mouthguards.

 

Invicta FC 8 takes place September 6th live from the Municipal Auditorium in Kansas City, Missouri. The full card will air live via UFC Fight Pass. Click below for tickets, or to subscribe to UFC FightPass.

 

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