Posts

Vote

Invicta FC 24 Results: Borella Tops Dudieva, Frey Bests Cummins

/in , /by

Kansas City, Mo. — On Saturday, July 15, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella from the historic Scottish Rite Temple. The event streamed live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

The night’s main event featured a closely contested flyweight between Italy’s Mara Romero Borella and UFC veteran Milana Dudieva. Borella flurried forward to open the bout, allowing Dudieva to score with a judo throw. Borella looked for a leg lock, which allowed her to return to the feet. The pair traded punches before Borella looked for a takedown. Dudieva countered with a guillotine attempt to close the round. In the second round, Borella used her striking and length before putting Dudieva on her back. She scored with ground and pound from the top position along the fence. It was more of the same in round three, but Dudieva sought an armbar from her back. Borella defended and passed to mount. Dudieva powered to the top position in the fight’s waning moments, but landed in a triangle attempt from the Italian. The Russian would survive to the final bell, but it was Borella who walked away with the split decision win.

Former atomweight title challenger Jinh Yu Frey used her wrestling and top control to edge Ashley Cummins by decision. Frey capitalized on the forward pressure of Cummins, taking the fight to the mat. Cummins was active on her back, threatening with armbars. Frey opted to return to the feet in the first round, but as the fight progressed, she stayed in the guard of Cummins. That resulted in repeated armbar attempts from Cummins, which Frey was forced to defend. Every time Frey escaped, Cummins attacked with another. The final stanza was a showcase of the strength of Frey, who was able to keep Cummins on her back for the majority of the round and earn the victory on the judges’ scorecards.

Veteran Pam Sorenson gave featherweight newcomer Helena Kolesnyk a rude welcome to the Invicta cage, scoring a first-round submission victory. Kolesnyk threw kicks early, but Sorenson timed a takedown attempt and tripped her to the canvas. She methodically passed to side control and then the mount. Sorenson dropped heavy right hands from mount. She was patient from the top, passing to S-mount and setting up an armbar. Sorenson cranked on the arm and Kolesnyk was forced to submit.

The flyweight match-up between newcomers Karina Rodríguez and Bárbara Acioly was fast and violent. Mexico’s Rodríguez rocked Brazil’s Acioly early with a right hand and quickly looked for the finish. She chased Acioly to the mat and pounded away with strikes. Acioly did her best to survive and nearly worked back to her feet, but Rodríguez was relentless with her aggression. A swarm of hammerfists from Rodríguez was too much for referee Greg Franklin, who stepped in and saved Acioly from further damage.

Missouri’s Miranda Maverick remained unbeaten, topping promotional newcomer Gabby Romero on the scorecards. Maverick scored with left hands in the first frame. Romero answered with a head-and-arm throw attempt, but ended up on her back. She attacked with a leg lock attempt that allowed her to get on top of Maverick. Maverick was able to escape, but fell into a deep armbar attempt to close the round. In round two, a series of uppercuts from Maverick were the most significant strikes of the bout. The pair’s chess match on the mat later resumed as Maverick delivered heavy shots, while Romero searched for submissions. Maverick attacked the body in the final frame, slowing Romero’s output. A late armbar attempt from Maverick was reversed by Romero and Maverick was once again forced to ride out the round to the bell. When it was all said and done, it was Maverick who was victorious.

Strawweights Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir and Kelly D’Angelo engaged in a hard-fought battle over the course of three rounds, with Iceland’s Davíðsdóttir earning the decision victory. The pair came out firing, connecting with straight punches. Davíðsdóttir looked to bring the fight to the canvas, but D’Angelo responded with heavy punches. The nose of Davíðsdóttir poured blood as the opening stanza came to a close. The second and third rounds were a different story as Davíðsdóttir utilized her takedowns to neutralize D’Angelo’s offense. The Icelandic fighter was able to mount D’Angelo and rain heavy punches and elbows. The fight went the distance with Davíðsdóttir sweeping the scorecards.

The night kicked off with a dominant performance from undefeated featherweight Felicia Spencer. Spencer opened with a series of body kicks to opponent Amy Coleman, but was briefly taken down. She worked back to her feet and then put Coleman on her back. She wasn’t able to keep Coleman down for long, but later in the round, she scored with a big lift along the fence. Spencer quickly took Coleman’s back with both hooks. Once there, she worked for a rear-naked choke and coerced the tap from Coleman.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Mara Romero Borella def. Milana Dudieva by split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
Jinh Yu Frey def. Ashley Cummins by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Pam Sorenson def. Helena Kolesnyk by submission (armbar). Round 1, 3:12
Karina Rodríguez def. Bárbara Acioly by TKO (strikes). Round 1, 2:14
Miranda Maverick def. Gabby Romero by unanimous decision (30-26, 29-28, 30-27)
Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir def. Kelly D’Angelo by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Felicia Spencer def. Amy Coleman by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 3:17

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.

Vote

Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella Official Weigh-in Results

/1 Comment/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — On Friday, July 14, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella. The event takes place from Scottish Rite Temple on Saturday, July 15, and streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

In the night’s main event, UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (11-5) drops to flyweight to take on newly signed Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC). 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.

The co-main event features an atomweight contest between Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) and Ashley Cummins (5-3). Frey looks to work her way back into title contention, while Cummins hopes to build off her decision win over Amber Brown in her most recent outing.

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

Flyweight: Milana Dudieva (125.8) vs. Mara Romero Borella (125.9)
Atomweight: Jinh Yu Frey (105.9) vs. Ashley Cummins (105.9)
Featherweight: Pam Sorenson (149.6)* vs. Helena Kolesnyk (145.9)
Flyweight: Karina Rodríguez (124.1) vs. Bárbara Acioly (125.9)
Flyweight: Miranda Maverick (125) vs. Gabby Romero (125.4)
Strawweight: Sunna Rannveig Davíðsdóttir (115) vs. Kelly D’Angelo (115.2)
Featherweight: Felicia Spencer (146) vs. Amy Coleman (149.5)*

*Sorenson and Coleman missed the featherweight limit of 146 pounds and were each fined 25 percent of their fight purse

A strawweight bout between Mallory Martin and Tiffany Masters has been removed from the card due to medical issues. The fight card will proceed with seven fights.

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.

Vote

Milana Dudieva vs. Mara Romero Borella Elevated to Invicta FC 24 Main Event

/2 Comments/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 24 has changed yet again.

Previously slated to serve as the night’s co-main event, the flyweight bout between UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (11-5) and newly signed Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC) now takes the top billing. 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.

The change comes after Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger was released from her contract to challenge former Invicta FC featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino at UFC 214 on July 29.

Evinger’s opponent, promotional newcomer Helena Kolesnyk (5-0, 1 NC), is expected to remain on the card with a replacement opponent to be determined.

The bantamweight match-up between Raquel Pa’aluhi (6-5) and recent title challenger Yana Kunitskaya (9-3, 1 NC) of Russia is now the co-main event. 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 the aforementioned Evinger.

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 current Invicta FC 24 fight card can be found below:

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.

Vote

Invicta FC 24 Fight Card Complete, Tonya Evinger Steps Into Main Event

/2 Comments/in /by

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.

Vote

Nine Athletes Join Invicta FC Roster

/2 Comments/in /by

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships has added nine new faces to its roster.

Joining the strawweight division will be undefeated Brazilian Virna Jandiroba (11-0). The 28-year-old, dubbed “Carcará,” most recently defeated UFC veteran Ericka Almeida. She also holds a submission victory over UFC and Invicta FC veteran Lisa Ellis.

The flyweight division has six new fighters, including four who are unbeaten: Mara Romero Borella (10-4, 1 NC), Chan-Mi Jeon (5-0), Bárbara Acioly (4-0), Karina Rodríguez (4-2), Cheri Muraski (3-0) and Tracy Cortez (0-0).

  • Italy’s Borella will join the promotion having won four of her last five fights.
  • At just 19 year old, South Korea’s Jeon has finished four of her five wins with strikes, capturing ALL FC’s flyweight championship in the process.
  • The 28-year-old Acioly also hails from Brazil and has stopped three of her four wins inside the first round.
  • Mexico’s Rodríguez has stopped her opponent in three of her four wins and has faced the likes of Invicta FC veteran Alexa Grasso.
  • Colorado’s Muraski, who was 6-1 as an amateur before turning pro in late 2016, submitted Invicta FC veteran Shannon Sinn in her last outing.
  • Cortez, a Tuff-N-Uff flyweight titleholder, fights out of Arizona and will make her professional debut inside the Invicta cage after going 6-0 as an amateur.

“There are a lot of eyeballs on the 125-pound weight class right now,” said Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp. “We have a card coming up on May 20 that showcases some of the best flyweights in the world.

“Being able to add such a talented group of athletes to that flyweight mix will only push the entire division further. We’re expecting to see great match-ups right away, while also looking ahead to the exciting opportunities our younger prospects will have as they develop here at Invicta.”

Finally, two fighters slated to make their professional debuts have joined the atomweight division. Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu brown belt Jillian DeCoursey (0-0) compiled a record of 8-1 as an amateur. California’s Ashley Medina (0-0) went 4-1 in the amateur ranks, including two wins via armbar.

All of the new athletes are expected to make their promotional debuts later in 2017.

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.