Muraski

Cheri Muraski Meets Brogan Walker-Sanchez at Invicta FC 27

Kansas City, Mo.ย โ€” The final slot on the Invicta Fighting Championships 27 fight card is now filled.

Undefeated Cheri Muraski (4-0) will face promotional newcomerย Brogan Walker-Sanchez (4-0) in a flyweight contest.

Colorado’s Muraski made her Invicta debut at Invicta FC 25 in August, submitting Tracy Cortez in the second round. Guam’sย Walker-Sanchez has also opened her career with four straight victories, including a decision win over Invicta veteran Gabby Romero.

Invicta FC 27 takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, from theย historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo. The event streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. It will feature a bantamweight headliner betweenย Iranian-Swedish fighter Pannie Kianzad (8-2) and Canada’s Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC).

The complete fight card for Invicta FC 27 can be found below:

Bantamweight:ย Pannie Kianzad (8-2) vs.ย Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC)
Flyweight:ย Vanessa Porto (19-8) vs. Mariana Morais (12-5)
Strawweight: Sharon Jacobson (4-2) vs. Ashley Nichols (3-1)
Atomweight:ย Ashley Cummins (5-4) vs. Stephanie Alba (3-1, 1 NC)
Flyweight:ย Cheri Muraski (4-0) vs. Brogan Walker-Sanchez (4-0)
Featherweight:ย Felicia Spencer (3-0) vs.ย Akeela Al-Hameedย (0-0)
Strawweight:ย Mallory Martin (1-2) vs. Tiffany Masters (2-1)
Atomweight: Mellissa Wang (1-0) vs.ย Loma Lookboonmee (0-0)
Strawweight:ย Jade Ripley (0-0) vs. Helen Peralta (0-0)

Tickets forย Invictaย FCย 27 are on sale now via Tickeyfly.com.


About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial artsย (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform toย hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executiveย Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™sย MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors andย identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.ย Followย Invicta on Twitterย (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

Kianzad

Invicta FC 27 Features Pannie Kianzad vs. Sarah Kaufman Main Event

Kansas City, Mo.ย โ€” The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 27 has taken shape.

The event, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 13, from theย historic Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., streams live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 7 p.m. CT. It will feature a bantamweight headliner betweenย Iranian-Swedish fighter Pannie Kianzad (8-2) and Canada’s Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC).

Kianzad aims to get back in the win column after falling against then-champion Tonya Evinger and recent title challengerย Raquel Paโ€™aluhi. Kaufman is a former Strikeforce champion and UFC veteran who previously competed in the Invicta cage in 2013. She holds victories over fellow Invicta veterans Shayna Baszler, Takayo Hashi, Roxanne Modafferi, Liz Carmouche and Leslie Smith.

In the night’s co-main event,ย Vanessa Portoย (19-8) quickly steps back into the cage to face fellow Brazilianย Mariana Moraisย (12-5). Porto was in action at Invicta FC 26 in December, stopping UFC veteran Milana Dudieva by strikes. The 21-year-old Morais returns to the promotion for the first time since 2015, where she faced former title challenger Roxanne Modafferi.

Also announced for the event, wrestling stalwartย Sharon Jacobson (4-2) takes on decorated strikerย Ashley Nichols (3-1) in a strawweight bout, Missouri nativeย Ashley Cummins meets promotional newcomer Stephanie Alba (3-1, 1 NC) at atomweight, undefeated flyweightย Brogan Walker-Sanchez (4-0) of Guam will debut against a to-be-announced opponent, featherweight finisherย Felicia Spencer (3-0) welcomes Akeela Al-Hameedย (0-0) to the professional ranks, strawweights Mallory Martin (1-2) and Tiffany Masters (2-1) clash in a bout that was originally slated for Invicta FC 24, atomweight Muay Thai standout Loma Lookboonmee (0-0) makes her professional MMA debut against Mellissa Wang (1-0), andย Jade Ripley and Helen Peralta make both their Invicta and professional debuts in a strawweight match-up.

The fight card for Invicta FC 27 can be found below:

Bantamweight:ย Pannie Kianzad (8-2) vs.ย Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC)
Flyweight:ย Vanessa Porto (19-8) vs. Mariana Morais (12-5)
Strawweight: Sharon Jacobson (4-2) vs. Ashley Nichols (3-1)
Atomweight:ย Ashley Cummins (5-4) vs. Stephanie Alba (3-1, 1 NC)
Flyweight:ย Brogan Walker-Sanchez (4-0) vs. TBA
Featherweight:ย Felicia Spencer (3-0) vs.ย Akeela Al-Hameedย (0-0)
Strawweight:ย Mallory Martin (1-2) vs. Tiffany Masters (2-1)
Atomweight: Mellissa Wang (1-0) vs.ย Loma Lookboonmee (0-0)
Strawweight:ย Jade Ripley (0-0) vs. Helen Peralta (0-0)

Tickets forย Invictaย FCย 27 are on sale now via Tickeyfly.com.


About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial artsย (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform toย hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executiveย Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™sย MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors andย identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.ย Followย Invicta on Twitterย (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

1DX_5917

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

Kansas City, Mo.ย โ€” On Friday, Dec. 8,ย Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedลบwiedลบ fromย 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 Polandโ€™s Aga Niedลบwiedลบ. The Brazilian rocked Niedลบwiedลบ early with a right hand that caused the right cheek of the challenger to swell. Niedลบwiedลบ was able to get the fight to the canvas late in the opening round, but Maia was active from her back. It was Niedลบwiedลบ who did the damage in round two, rocking Maia with punches. The champion survived and implemented her strong clinch game. Maia relentlessly pinned Niedลบwiedลบ to the fence and weighed on her. The grueling action took its toll on Niedลบwiedลบ, as Maia turned up her output in the championship rounds. Both fighters bled from their noses in the final round, but Maiaโ€™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 boutโ€™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. Portoโ€™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 Portoโ€™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.

Brazilโ€™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, Mexicoโ€™s Karina Rodrรญguez used crisp boxing and volume to edge out Christine Ferea on the scorecards. Fereaโ€™s kicking game was the story early in the fight, but Rodrรญguez used the clinch to score knees and settle into range. Rodrรญguez fired combination after combination, but Ferea marched forward throughout the three-round affair. The pair traded until the final bell, but it was Rodrรญguez 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.

OFFICIALย RESULTS
Jennifer Maia def. Aga Niedลบwiedลบ 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 Rodrรญguez 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 artsย (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform toย hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executiveย Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™sย MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors andย identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.ย Followย Invicta on Twitterย (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

MaiaNiedzwiedz

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

Kansas City, Mo.ย โ€” On Thursday, Dec. 7,ย Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedลบwiedลบ. The eventย takes placeย 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 Niedลบwiedลบ (10-0). Brazilโ€™s Maia is coming off back-to-back โ€œFight of the Yearโ€ contenders against Roxanne Modafferi and Vanessa Porto. Niedลบwiedลบ, meanwhile, kept her perfect record intact in May, besting the aforementioned Porto in the Invicta FC 23 main event.

The co-main event featuresย former strawweight title challengerย Kaline Medeirosย (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 Niedลบwiedลบ (124.6)
Strawweight: Kaline Medeirosย (115.8) vs. Mackenzie Dern (115.9)
Strawweight: Janaisa Morandin (115.4) vs.ย 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)ย vs. Karina Rodrรญguez (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 artsย (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform toย hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executiveย Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™sย MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors andย identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.ย Followย Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

KaufmanMandel

Invicta FC Adds 15 Fighters, Including Sarah Kaufman and Pearl Gonzalez

Kansas City, Mo.ย โ€” The Invicta Fighting Championships roster has grown with the signings of 15 athletes.

The bantamweight division will see the biggest influx of combatants with six signings: Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC), Marciea Allen (6-2), Julia Avila Shumate (4-0), Kerri Kenneson (2-0), Allison Schmidt (1-0) and Chelsea Chandler (0-0).

  • Canada’s Kaufman is a former Strikeforce champion and UFC veteran who previously competed in the Invicta cage in 2013. She holds victories over fellow Invicta veterans Shayna Baszler, Takayo Hashi, Roxanne Modafferi, Liz Carmouche and Leslie Smith.
  • Allen, dubbed the โ€œBlack Widow,โ€ returns to the promotion for the first time since Invicta FC 3. She currently rides a three-fight winning streak that includes victories over veterans Carina Damm and Jan Finney.
  • Entering the promotion with an unbeaten record, the Californian Avila Shumate, also known as โ€œThe Raging Panda,โ€ hold victories over current UFC fighter Marion Reneau and current UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montaรฑo.
  • Also undefeated through two professional outings, Kenneson competes out of New Hampshire.
  • A product of the American Kickboxing Academy, Schmidt won her MMA debut via rear-naked choke.
  • Hailing from Stockton, Calif., and training under the tutelage of Cesar Gracie, Chandler will make her professional debut in the Invicta cage.

Joining the flyweight ranks will be Bianca โ€œBibiโ€ Daimoni (7-2), Brogan Sanchez (4-0), Monica โ€œPhenomAmomโ€ Medina (3-1) and Helen Peralta (0-0). Fighting out of Imbituba, Santa Catarina, Brazil, the 31-year-old Daimoni has stopped five of her seven victories with strikes. Sanchez (formerly Walker), is a Guam native and has opened her career with four straight victories. Medina, who trains out of Alan Belcher MMA in Mississippi, has scored two triangle-choke finishes in her three professional wins to go with seven finishes by strikes as an amateur. Iowaโ€™s Peralta compiled a 7-1 record as an amateur.

The strawweight division gets a pair of new faces in UFC veteran Pearl Gonzalez (6-3) and Canadaโ€™s Ashley Nichols (3-1). Chicago’s Gonzalez joins the promotion following a two-fight Octagon stint. The 31-year-old is a former XFC titleholder. A decorated striker who earned the World Professional MuayThai Federationย super bantamweight title, Nichols has been in the cage and ring with many top names, including Randa Markos, Tiffany van Soest and Anissa Meksen. She currently rides a three-fight winning streak in MMA competition.

Finally, three new athletes have been added to the atomweight division: Loma Lookboonmee (0-0), Fernanda Priscila (3-1) and Rebekah LeVine (1-0). A veteran of more than a hundred Muay Thai bouts, Thailandโ€™s Lookboonmee will make her professional MMA debut for the promotion. A Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu purple belt, Priscila trains out of the Academia Kimura Nova Uniรฃo. After going unbeaten as an amateur, Californiaโ€™s LeVine opened her professional career with a first-round armbar submission.

Look for many of the new athletes to compete inside the Invicta FC cage in 2018.


About Invicta FC:

Invicta Fighting Championships is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial artsย (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform toย hone their skills on a consistent basis. Founded in 2012 by longtime MMA executiveย Shannon Knapp, Invicta is committed to pioneering the future growth of womenโ€™sย MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups between female competitors andย identifying and developing future superstars of the sport.ย Followย Invicta on Twitterย (@InvictaFights), Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights), and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.