09_Emily_Ducote_vs_Danielle_Taylor_10

Ducote vs. Zappitella Strawweight Title Clash Headlines Invicta FC 47 on Wednesday, May 11

KANSAS CITY, Kan.ย โ€“ Invicta Fighting Championships has revealed the fight card for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella.

The eventย โ€” which takes place Wednesday, May 11 โ€” features a strawweight title bout between current championย Emily Ducote (10-6) and former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off one of the greatest knockouts in Invicta history, stopping UFC veteran Danielle Taylor via head kick to secure the 115-pound belt and a spot on Sportscenter’s Top 10. The Ohio native Zappitella is coming off a pair of battles with Brazilian Jรฉssica Delboni. Prior to the pair’s second meeting, the 27-year-old declared her intentions to move up to the strawweight division and the decorated wrestler will face an immediate test opposite the division’s champion.

In the night’s co-main event, Colorado’s Courtney “The Lion” King (4-2) collides with Stockton, California’s Chelsea Chandler (3-1) in a featherweight match-up. King was last in action opposite Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison in the Invicta FC 43 headliner. Chandler rides the momentum of three straight victories under the Invicta banner.

A pair of New York natives meet in the atomweight division asย Lindsey โ€œDamselโ€ VanZandt (7-5) will square off with โ€œLionheartโ€ Jillian DeCoursey (4-3). The pair met previously as amateurs in 2016, with DeCoursey besting VanZandt by decision.

Former bantamweight title challenger Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (6-2) returns to action opposite the surging Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (4-2). Verzosa went five rounds with current champion Taneisha Tennant in her last outing, while DeJesus has scored back-to-back wins over UFC veterans Lauren Mueller and Elizabeth Phillips.

Rounding out the fight card, Brazil’s Janaisa “Evil Princess” Morandin (10-4) takes on countrywoman Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) in a flyweight bout, and boxing Olympian Jennifer “Dugwen” Chieng (1-1) welcomes Alyssa “Lightning” Linduska (debut) to the promotion at strawweight.

The location, ticketing details and broadcast information forย Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitellaย will be announced in the coming weeks.

The full fight card can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote vs. Alesha Zappitella
Featherweight:ย Courtney King vs. Chelsea Chandler
Atomweight:ย Lindsey VanZandt vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Bantamweight:ย Lisa Verzosa vs. Serena DeJesus
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin vs. Liana Pirosin
Strawweight:ย Jennifer Chieng vs. Alyssa Linduska


About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.ย is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution companyย Gravitas Ventures;ย Fight Network,ย the world’s premier combat sports channel;ย IMPACT Wrestling,ย one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events;ย Invicta Fighting Championships, the worldโ€™s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;ย Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content;ย GameTV,ย the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; andย HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest inย Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

Rodriguez46

Invicta FC 46 Results: Rodriฬguez Retains After Torquato Rematch, Gomes Shocks Dudieva

KANSAS CITY, Kan.ย โ€” On Wednesday, March 9,ย Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 46: Rodriฬguez vs. Torquato 2ย from Memorial Hall.ย The event was simulcast on Invicta FCโ€™s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie.

The flyweight title was once again on the line between Mexicoโ€™s Karina Rodriฬguez and Brazilian challenger Daiana Torquato. Torquato opened the rematch with a heavy leg kick. Rodriฬguez responded with a jab-straight combination to slow Torquatoโ€™s advance. Rodriฬguez turned up her own forward march, willingly trading with Torquato inside the pocket. Rodriฬguez closed the distance and Torquato delivered a pair of knees. Rodriฬguez returned the favor as the fighters disengaged. Torquato earned an outside-trip takedown late in the round. The second round began with Rodriฬguez throwing long punches to control the range. Torquato continued her assault on the lead leg of the Mexican fighter. The Brazilian dragged Rodriฬguez to the ground, but she quickly bounced back to her feet. Torquato stuck with it and brought the fight to the canvas to close the frame. In round three, both fighters mixed up their attacks. Both threw with power and kept one another guessing with kicks. The lead leg of Rodriฬguez bruised from the low kicks of Torquato. The championship rounds opened with power shots from both fighters. Torquato connected with a right hand and the pair clinched. Rodriฬguez delivered a great elbow on the break and they again returned to range. Torquatoโ€™s low-kick attack did not relent, but nor did Rodriฬguezโ€™s advance. A heavy body kick from Rodriฬguez was turned into a body lock by Torquato. She dragged the fight to the ground and managed to scramble to the top position. Rodriฬguez scored with an upkick to end the frame. The final round opened with a trade of knees in the clinch. Rodriฬguez landed another big elbow, but was answered with a heavy right hand by Torquato. Torquato was able to duck under and secure a body lock, but Rodriฬguez fought her way out of it. The Brazilian kept looking for a decisive takedown, but Rodriฬguez stayed on the feet and encouraged Torquato to brawl. The two, talented warriors went to the scorecards again, but this time the cards were even closer. One judge scored it for the challenger Torquato, but the other two overruled, allowing Rodriฬguez to retain her title.

The co-main event kicked off with fireworks as newcomer Denise Gomes took on UFC veteran Milana Dudieva. Dudieva fired a right hand down the pipe to back up the Brazilian. That was short-lived, however as Gomes starting powering forward. After trading shots in the clinch, Dudieva secured a takedown. Gomes attempted a leg lock, but absorbed heavy shots for her troubles. Dudieva took the back and dropped two-handed strikes. The Brazilian was resilient, escaping and taking Dudievaโ€™s back late. Gomes was relentless with her pressure, staying in the pocket and swinging. An errant kick landed low on Dudieva and was followed shortly after by an eye poke. Once the action continued, Dudieva made Gomes pay for the fouls. She dropped the Brazilian with an overhand right and flurried hard for a finish. Gomes survived and returned to the feet, only to get dropped a second time. Dudieva attacked recklessly to close the frame, but she could not put Gomes away. Gomes went for broke in round three and her constant pressure finally paid off. She backed Dudieva to the fence and unloaded with heavy punches. A knee from Gomes sent Dudieva crashing to the mat and after a barrage of punches, the referee intervened to halt the contest and hand Gomes the surprising comeback win.

Liz Tracy earned her third win under the Invicta banner, besting former title challenger Danielle Taylor. Tracy probed with her front kick to gauge range. Taylor remained outside and looked for a way to get inside boxing range. Tracy flurried forward, but was countered by punches from Taylor. A level change from Tracy allowed her to trip Taylor to the canvas. She bullied her to the fence from the half guard. Taylor attacked from her back with little success. Short shots connected for Tracy and she was able to pass to mount. Once in the dominant position, Tracy unloaded with punches. Taylor was forced to give up her back to survive. Tracy worked hard for the finish, but could not secure it. Round two began with more probing from range, as both fighters tried to take control. Tracy frequently switched stances and tried to clinch. Taylor connected with a heavy shot as Tracy came forward, leading to a wild exchange. Another shot from Tracy was stuffed by Taylor, but Tracy used a head-and-arm throw to get the fight back to the mat. In the last round, Taylor continued to struggle in closing the distance. Tracy was able to sit outside and use her reach. Tracy returned to the clinch late in the fight and hung on Taylor against the cage. Taylor separated in the final minute, but was unable to land the fight-finishing shots. There were no doubts on the scorecards as Tracy claimed victory.

Oklahomaโ€™s Kristina Williams and French Polynesiaโ€™s Flore Hani battled hard for three rounds in their flyweight match-up. Hani pressured early, but immediately found trouble in the length of Williams. The taller fighter kept Hani at range and delivered a barrage of strikes. Haniโ€™s lead leg turned red to match her shorts from the low kicks of Williams. Hani tried to clinch, but found little success as Williams was able to land with elbows and separate. The combinations of Williams found their mark again and again. The face of Hani swelled from the onslaught. In the second round, Hani powered into a double-leg takedown along the fence. She moved Williams to the center of the cage and neutralized the offense of Williams. When the fight returned to the upright position, Hani scored with knees. With the fight tied heading to the third, the pair exchanged combinations. The volume of Williams continued to increase as the round progressed. Hani shot for a takedown, but Williams was able to sprawl. Hani secured the clinch late in the fight, landing more knees and making it difficult on the judges. The judges were split in their verdict, but it was Williams who was victorious in her Invicta debut.

An atomweight contest opened the night as Brazilโ€™s Monique Adriane clashed with veteran Paulina Granados. A right hand from Adriane clipped Granados right after the opening bell. The fight quickly found the mat and the Brazilian looked for a choke. Granados remained calm, reversing position and moving to the top. Adriane worked back to the feet and separated. She connected with another heavy right hand, prompting Granados to shoot for a takedown. Adriane stuffed it and landed with an elbow on the break. There was more punishment on the feet from Adriane as she continued to open up. She finished the round with a late takedown. There was more urgency from Granados to open the second frame, as she pressured forward. Adriane was patient from range, scoring with combinations and low kicks. Granados looked to grapple late in the frame, but Adriane again showcased a great sprawl. The Brazilian attacked the lead leg of Granados to start the final stanza. She sprawled and moved to the back of Granados, but Granados was able to scramble to the top. Adriane again worked back to her feet and turned up her aggression. She battered Granados with punches to the body and the head, and looked to finish with a big knee. Granados survived to the final horn, but Adriane swept the scorecards to earn her first Invicta win.

OFFICIALย RESULTS
Karina Rodriฬguez def. Daiana Torquato by split decision (47-48, 48-47, 49-46) – for flyweight title
Denise Gomes def. Milana Dudieva by TKO (knee and punches). Round 3, 1:56
Liz Tracy def. Danielle Taylor by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Kristina Williams def. Flore Hani by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Monique Adriane def. Paulina Granados by unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)


About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.ย is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution companyย Gravitas Ventures;ย Fight Network,ย the world’s premier combat sports channel;ย IMPACT Wrestling,ย one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events;ย Invicta Fighting Championships, the worldโ€™s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;ย Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content;ย GameTV,ย the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; andย HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest inย Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

Karina Rodriguez vs Daiana Torquato

Invicta FC 46: Rodriฬguez vs. Torquato 2 Official Weigh-in Results

KANSAS CITY, Kan.ย โ€“ On Tuesday, March 8, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 46: Rodriฬguez vs. Torquato 2.ย 

In the night’s headliner, current flyweight champion Karina Rodriฬguez (9-4) will take on a familiar face in Daiana Torquato (10-4). Rodriฬguez was originally slated to face Torquato’s countrywoman, Ketlen Souza, but the Brazilian was forced out of the event, opening the door for Torquato to once again battle for the title. Rodriฬguez and Torquato met previously at Invicta FC on AXS, with the Mexican Rodriฬguez capturing gold after five, hard-fought rounds. The decision loss snapped a six-fight winning streak for Torquato and now she’ll have the opportunity to avenge the defeat.

Invicta FC 46: Rodriฬguez vs. Torquato 2ย takes place Wednesday, March 9 from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The action will be will be simulcast on Invicta FCโ€™s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

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

Flyweight Title:ย Karina Rodriฬguez (123.8) vs. Daiana Torquato (124.6)
Flyweight:ย Milana Dudieva (125.9) vs. Denise Gomes (125.9)
Strawweight:ย Danielle Taylor (115.6) vs. Liz Tracy (117.8)*
Flyweight:ย Kristina Williams (125.2) vs. Flore Hani (125.2)
Atomweight: Paulina Granados (105.6) vs. Monique Adriane (105.4)

* – Tracy missed the strawweight limit of 116 pounds and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

Also, the planned strawweight contest betweenย grappling aceย Fatima โ€œThe Archangelโ€ Kline (1-0) andย Mexico’s Nadia Vera (3-1) has been removed from the fight card.


About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.ย is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution companyย Gravitas Ventures;ย Fight Network,ย the world’s premier combat sports channel;ย IMPACT Wrestling,ย one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events;ย Invicta Fighting Championships, the worldโ€™s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;ย Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content;ย GameTV,ย the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; andย HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest inย Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

06_Karina_Rodriguez_vs_Daiana_Torquato_08

Karina Rodriฬguez vs. Daiana Torquato Title Rematch Now Headlines Invicta FC 46

KANSAS CITY, Kan.ย โ€“ The fight card forย Invicta FC 46 has undergone some late changes.

Brazil’s Ketlen “Esquentadinha” Souza (11-3) has been forced out of her flyweight title challenge. Stepping in to face championย Karina Rodriฬguez (9-4) will be a familiar face in Daiana Torquato (10-4). The Brazilian has been elevated from the co-main event to once again battle for the title. Rodriฬguez and Torquato met previously at Invicta FC on AXS, with the Mexican Rodriฬguez capturing gold after five, hard-fought rounds. The decision loss for Torquato snapped a six-fight winning streak and she’ll now have the opportunity to avenge the defeat on short notice.

As a result of the main event shuffling, UFC veteranย Milana Dudieva (12-8) will now welcome Brazil’s Denise Gomes (4-1) to the Invicta cage. Gomes rides the momentum of four straight victories, including three by way of knockout.

Invicta FC 46: Rodriฬguez vs. Torquato 2ย takes place Wednesday, March 9 from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The action will be will be simulcast on Invicta FCโ€™s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

The updated fight card can be found below:

Flyweight Title:ย Karina Rodriฬguez vs. Daiana Torquato
Flyweight:ย Milana Dudieva vs. Denise Gomes
Strawweight:ย Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
Flyweight:ย Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
Atomweight: Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
Strawweight: Fatima Klineย vs. Nadia Vera


About Invicta FC:
Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) 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 (InvictaFights) and Instagramย (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information.

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc.ย is a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto. Anthem’s portfolio includes AXS TV, a leading music, entertainment and lifestyle television channel and digital media company; global film distribution companyย Gravitas Ventures;ย Fight Network,ย the world’s premier combat sports channel;ย IMPACT Wrestling,ย one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events;ย Invicta Fighting Championships, the worldโ€™s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;ย Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content;ย GameTV,ย the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; andย HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest inย Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.