Justino vs Ibragimova_003

Invicta FC 15: ‘Cyborg’ vs. Ibragimova Official Weigh-in Results

by News

Costa Mesa, Calif. — On Friday, Jan. 15, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova, which takes place Saturday, Jan. 16, from the The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass at 9 p.m. ET.

Headlining the event will be featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). Cyborg successfully defended her 145-pound title at Invicta FC 13 in July, stopping New Zealand’s Faith Van Duin in under a minute. Ibragimova will make her promotional debut riding a seven-fight winning streak. Seven of her nine career victories have come via submission and six of her wins have come inside the first round.

In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0). The Brazilian Souza captured the 115-pound title with a fourth-round finish of Katja Kankaanpää at Invicta FC 12. Seven of the 24-year-old’s wins have come via submission, including five in the first round. Utah’s Bennett has won four straight inside the Invicta cage. Since dropping to 115 pounds, she has topped Norma Rueda Center, as well as the aforementioned Kankaanpää, in her last two outings.

Below are the results of the event’s weigh-ins, which were held at the Team Punishment Gym.

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (144.6) vs. Daria Ibragimova (143.7)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (113.9) vs. DeAnna Bennett (114.6)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (135.5) vs. Colleen Schneider (136.2)*
Atomweight: Amber Brown (105.7) vs. Shino VanHoose (105.3)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (114.9) vs. Mizuki Inoue (114.3)
Strawweight: Angela Hill (115.1) vs. Alida Gray (115.9)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (145.3) vs. Amber Leibrock (145.7)

* – Schneider weighed in at 136.4 pounds on her initial attempt. She 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. For more information, visit InvictaFC.com, follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights) and like Invicta on Facebook (Facebook.com/InvictaFights).

Gomes

Ediane Gomes vs. Amanda Bell Pulled From Invicta FC 15

by News

Costa Mesa, Calif. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 15 has undergone a last-minute change.

The promotion has announced that featherweight Ediane Gomes (10-4) suffered complications during her weight cut and her bout with Amanda Bell (3-3) has been pulled from the card.

The event will now proceed with seven contests.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The event will take place from The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Shino VanHoose (4-3)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4) 
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Christine Stanley

Invicta FC 15 Loses Christine Stanley vs. Katy Collins

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 15 has lost one of its bouts.

The promotion has announced that the flyweight contest between Christine Stanley (4-1) and Katy Collins (3-1) has been scratched from the event after Collins suffered an ankle injury in training. Collins, who fights out of Branson Fight Club in Missouri, was herself a late replacement for Shannon Sinn (2-2), who also succumbed to a pre-fight injury.

The event will now proceed with eight contests.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The event will take place from The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Shino VanHoose (4-3)
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-3) vs. Ediane Gomes (10-4)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Shino VanHoose

Invicta FC 15 Adds Katy Collins and Shino VanHoose

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 15 has undergone some last-minute changes.

The promotion has announced that flyweight Katy Collins (3-1) and atomweight Shino VanHoose (4-3) will step in as replacements for Shannon Sinn (2-2) and Lisa Ellis (15-10), respectively.

Collins, who fights out of Branson Fight Club in Missouri, will face off with fellow knockout artist Christine Stanley (4-1) after Sinn suffered an injury in training. “Red Dragon” has stopped all three of her wins in the first round via TKO.

Japan’s VanHoose will replace the UFC veteran Ellis, who was forced out due to illness. The 20-year-old will continue her run against tough competition as she takes on Amber Brown (5-1). Three of VanHoose’s four wins have come by submission, including a 51-second Ezekiel choke finish in her professional debut.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The event will take place from The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Shino VanHoose (4-3)
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-3) vs. Ediane Gomes (10-4)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (4-1) vs. Katy Collins (3-1)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Yana Kunitskaya

Featherweight Yana Kunitskaya Added to Invicta FC Roster

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships has added another new face to its featherweight division.

Russia’s Yana Kunitskaya (8-1) has signed with the promotion. The 26-year-old will return to professional competition following a three-year absence from the sport. Prior to that, “Foxy” reeled off six straight wins, including five, first-round knockouts.

Of her eight career wins, Kunitskaya has stopped six by way of strikes, including a 34-second stoppage of current Invicta fighter Cindy Dandois. He lone career loss came against another Invicta veteran, Maria Hougaard Djursaa, in 2010. The former Bushido FC champion also has professional kickboxing experience.

Look for Kunitskaya to make her promotional debut in 2016.

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).

Alida Gray

Alida Gray Steps In Against Angela Hill at Invicta FC 15

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced a change to the fight card for Invicta FC 15, which will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass on Saturday, Jan. 16, from The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa, Calif.

Knockout artist Alida Gray (4-2) will step in on short notice against Angela Hill (2-2) at the event. Gray was last in action at Invicta FC 10 last December where she fought top contender Alexa Grasso.

Gray replaces former atomweight Jodie Esquibel (5-1), who will no longer make her strawweight debut on the card.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Lisa Ellis (15-10)
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-3) vs. Ediane Gomes (10-4)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (4-1) vs. Shannon Sinn (2-2)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Pa'aluhi

Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova Full Fight Card

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — The fight card for Invicta Fighting Championships 15 is complete.

Earlier this week, the promotion revealed it will visit The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

In addition to the four fights announced earlier this week — including two title fights — Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp appeared on Invicta FC Radio to reveal four additional match-ups.

Joining the event will be strawweights Lacey Schuckman (11-8) and Mizuki Inoue (9-4), flyweights Christine Stanley (4-1) and Shannon Sinn (2-2), and a pair of featherweight contests featuring Amanda Bell (3-3) vs. Ediane Gomes (10-4) and Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0).

Finally, a bantamweight bout between Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) and Colleen Schneider (9-6) will round out the nine-fight event.

Invicta FC 15 will be headlined by featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0).

The full fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Bantamweight: Raquel Pa’aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Lisa Ellis (15-10)
Strawweight: Jodie Esquibel (5-1) vs. Angela Hill (2-2)
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-4)
Featherweight: Amanda Bell (3-3) vs. Ediane Gomes (10-4)
Flyweight: Christine Stanley (4-1) vs. Shannon Sinn (2-2)
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)

Tickets for Invicta FC 15 are on sale now and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Cris Cyborg Justino vs Faith Van Duin

Invicta FC 15 Set For Southern California on Jan. 16

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships is returning to California.

The promotion will visit The Hangar at the OC Fair & Event Center in Costa Mesa on Saturday, Jan. 16. The event will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 9 p.m. ET.

Headlining the event will be featherweight champion Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC), who will put her belt on the line against Russian newcomer Daria Ibragimova (9-1). Cyborg successfully defended her 145-pound title at Invicta FC 13 in July, stopping New Zealand’s Faith Van Duin in under a minute. Ibragimova will make her promotional debut riding a seven-fight winning streak. Seven of her nine career victories have come via submission and six of her wins have come inside the first round.

In the co-main event, the strawweight title will be up for grabs between champion Livia Renata Souza (8-0) and fellow unbeaten DeAnna Bennett (8-0). The Brazilian Souza captured the 115-pound title with a fourth-round finish of Katja Kankaanpää at Invicta FC 12. Seven of the 24-year-old’s wins have come via submission, including five in the first round. Utah’s Bennett has won four straight inside the Invicta cage. Since dropping to 115 pounds, she has topped Norma Rueda Center, as well as the aforementioned Kankaanpää, in her last two outings.

Also announced for the event will be another strawweight bout between recently signed UFC veteran Angela Hill (2-2) and veteran striker Jodie Esquibel (5-1). Esquibel will move up from atomweight riding a two-fight winning streak.

The current fight card for Invicta FC 15 can be found below:

Featherweight Title: Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino (14-1, 1 NC) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Strawweight Title: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Lisa Ellis (15-10)
Strawweight: Jodie Esquibel (5-1) vs. Angela Hill (2-2)

Additional bouts for the event will be announced in the coming weeks. Tickets for Invicta FC 15 go on sale starting today at 10 a.m. PT and can be purchased at fightcluboc.tix.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).

Hill

Strawweight Angela Hill Added to Invicta FC Roster

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced a new addition to its roster.

Striking stalwart Angela Hill (2-2) has signed to compete in the ever-growing strawweight division.

The 27-year-old is a UFC veteran who competed on “The Ultimate Fighter 20.” Over her four-fight career, she has picked up wins over current Invicta signee Stephanie Skinner and Invicta veteran Emily Kagan. She has also been in the cage with former Invicta titleholder Carla Esparza and promotional veterans Tecia Torres and Rose Namajunas.

“Overkill” began her MMA career in 2014 after a decorated career in Muay Thai competition. Hill went 14-0 as an amateur and picked up two more wins as a professional before turning her attention to the cage.

Look for Hill to make her Invicta debut in 2016 and check InvictaFC.com for future updates on the fighter.

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).

Ellis

Five Fighters Join the Invicta FC Roster

by News

Kansas City, Mo. — Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the signings of five fighters to its roster.

Returning to the promotion after a three-year absence will be veteran atomweight Lisa Ellis (15-10). The 32-year-old has faced some of the biggest names in the sport, including former Invicta champion Jessica Penne, MMA legend Megumi Fujii and fellow Invicta veterans Felice Herrig and Bec Rawlings.

Joining Ellis in the 105-pound ranks will be Hungary’s Dora Perjes (7-1) and Russian-born American Julia Jones (4-0). Perjes has stopped all seven of her career wins via submission, while Jones recently picked up her fourth straight win by defeating Paulina Granados.

Brazil’s Aline Santos De Assis Serio (9-5) is the latest addition to the strawweight division. Fighting out of Rio de Janeiro, Serio has stopped five of her nine wins by way of strikes.

Also bolstering the 115-pound division will be Serio’s countrywoman, Amanda Limborco Alcantara Ribas (5-0). The unbeaten 21-year-old has finished four of her five wins inside the first round.

Bouts for the new roster additions have not been finalized at this time. Check InvictaFC.com for future updates on all five fighters.

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).