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Invicta FC 47 Results: Ducote Batters Zappitella to Retain Strawweight Belt

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, May 11, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella from Memorial Hall.

Strawweight Emily Ducote is still the Invicta champion after stopping former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella after two rounds. Ducote showed great patience and composure to start the fight. She stayed long with her punches and countered whenever Zappitella came forward. Zappitella tried to use her wrestling, but was stuffed by the champion. The challenger stuck with it along the fence, but could not bring the fight to her world. Ducote went after Zappitella’s left eye in round two, battering it with punches and causing a cut. She stunned Zappitella with a right hand and kept attacking the same spot with precision. Zappitella blinked repeatedly as blood poured out of her eyelid. The doctor was called in to inspect the damage between rounds and halted the contest to protect Zappitella from further harm.

The co-main event featured featherweight Chelsea Chandler edging out Courtney King after three hard-fought rounds. Chandler marched forward immediately and pushed King to the fence. She brought the fight to the ground and moved to mount. She looked to take the back, but King was patient and recovered her guard. She kicked Chandler off and returned to the feet, but Chandler quickly brought the fight back to the clinch and the ground. Ground strikes opened a cut on King’s left eye, but she showed her resiliency to once again get back to her feet. King started round two with a bang, sitting down Chandler with a heavy punch. She flurried hard with more punches, but Chandler was able to recover and clinch. King’s left eye bled profusely, however she did not back down. A knee to the midsection from King prompted Chandler to close the distance, putting King on her back as the round expired. King probed with kicks in the final stanza, frustrating Chandler. She responded with a takedown, landing in the full guard. King showed an active guard, but Chandler was able to pass to half. King tried to scramble and Chandler punished her with punches. Chandler moved to side control in the center of the cage late in the fight to seal the decision win.

It didn’t take long for atomweight Jillian DeCoursey to re-establish herself as a threat in the division, as she absolutely demolished fellow New York native Lindsey VanZandt in just 61 seconds. The pair traded combinations early in the fight as they looked to find an opening. That opening came in the form of a right hook from DeCoursey, which caught VanZandt flush on the jaw and turned out her lights. The referee rushed in to pull DeCoursey off and she celebrated emphatically.

Former training partners collided when Brazilians Liana Pirosin and Janaisa Morandin met in a flyweight contest. Pirosin used her length to keep Morandin on the outside from the fight’s opening bell. Morandin wasn’t shy about firing heavy leg kicks, but struggled to get into the pocket. Pirosin’s confidence grew as the round progressed, as she peppered Morandin from range. Morandin powered into a takedown, but couldn’t keep the fight on the ground. Morandin again looked to close the distance and clinch in the second frame, but Pirosin shrugged her off. Pirosin continuously fired a lead-leg head kick to keep Morandin honest at range. Morandin pressed forward and found success when she was able to get inside. Her powerful leg kicks turned the legs of Pirosin red. The length and volume of Pirosin still proved to be the difference for most of the round. After exchanging heavy right hands in the opening portion of the final round, Morandin drove Pirosin to the mat. She moved to mount with a guillotine attempt and looked to take Pirosin’s back. Morandin kept the top position and looked for a finish, but it did not come. The judges were split in their verdict, but it was Pirosin who took the decision win.

In the night’s lone bantamweight clash, Serena DeJesus continued her winning streak after a back-and-forth battle with Brittney Cloudy. Both fighters looked to establish their range early with Cloudy popping her jab and DeJesus firing kicks. The hands of Cloudy scored with volume, but DeJesus scored with thundering body kicks. In round two, a big left from DeJesus backed up Cloudy and she let out a loud yell. Cloudy briefly scored a takedown, but DeJesus powered back to her feet. The pair traded heavy shots in the clinch as Cloudy fired knees and DeJesus answered with elbows. DeJesus was the aggressor in the fight’s last five minutes, pressing forward and landing combinations. A liver kick stunned Cloudy for a moment and DeJesus looked for a finish. It would not come, but DeJesus captured victory on the scorecards.

Strawweight Fatima Kline remained undefeated after stopping a very tough Sidney Trillo. After a brief feeling-out process, Kline ducked under a punch and put Trillo on her back. She fired heavy punches along the fence and looked to take Trillo’s back. Eventually Kline secured the position and applied a body triangle. She worked for a choke, but Trillo showcased great defense. Kline countered well to open the second stanza. She secured a body lock and put Trillo on the mat again. From side control, Kline looked for multiple chokes before rolling for an armbar. Trillo stayed calm and escaped to survive the round. Kline used a big combination to drive into a massive takedown in round three. She mounted Trillo and unleashed a heavy barrage of strikes that forced the referee to intervene.

The night kicked off with a strawweight match-up between newcomer Alyssa Linduska  and former boxing Olympian Jennifer Chieng. Linduska opened the bout with an onslaught of kicks to keep Chieng at range. Chieng found her timing with her jab and peppered the face of Linduska. A big right hand from Chieng landed clean, prompting Linduska to flurry forward and secure the fight’s first takedown. In round two, Linduska again took the fight to the mat, but Chieng countered and gained top position. Chieng eventually took Linduska’s back, but could not find a finish. The final frame opened with Chieng looking for a throw, but Linduska reversed it and landed in Chieng’s guard. Chieng threw up a triangle attempt from her back. Linduska delivered heavy knees to defend the submission attempt and finished the fight on top. When the scorecards were revealed, it was Linduska who earned the decision win in her pro debut.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Emily Ducote def. Alesha Zappitella by TKO (doctor’s stoppage). Round 2, 5:00 – for strawweight title
Chelsea Chandler def. Courtney King by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Jillian DeCoursey def. Lindsey VanZandt by knockout (right hook). Round 1, 1:01
Liana Pirosin def. Janaisa Morandin by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Serena DeJesus def. Brittney Cloudy by unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Fatima Kline def. Sidney Trillo by TKO (strikes). Round 3, 4:45
Alyssa Linduska def. Jennifer Chieng by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)

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

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

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Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella Official Weigh-in Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – On Tuesday, May 10, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella.

The event — which takes place Wednesday, May 11 and can be watched live and free on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and Facebook page — features a strawweight title bout between current champion 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 Jéssica 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.

The card includes six additional match-ups, as former headliner Courtney “The Lion” King (4-2) collides with California’s Chelsea Chandler (3-1) in the featherweight co-feature, Phoenix Tournament finalist Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-5) squares off with fellow New York native “Lionheart” Jillian DeCoursey (4-3) at atomweight, and former strawweight title challenger Janaisa “Evil Princess” Morandin (10-4) of Brazil takes on countrywoman Liana “Li” Pirosin (7-4) in a flyweight bout.

Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella takes place from Memorial Hall. It will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. The action begins at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT.

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

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote (114.4) vs. Alesha Zappitella (114.9)
Featherweight: Courtney King (145.5) vs. Chelsea Chandler (145.8)
Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt (106) vs. Jillian DeCoursey (105.9)
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin (125.7) vs. Liana Pirosin (125.9)
Bantamweight: Serena DeJesus (135.6) vs. Brittney Cloudy (135.3)
Strawweight: Fatima Kline (115.9) vs. Sidney Trillo (114.8)
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng (115.6) vs. Alyssa Linduska (115.6)

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

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

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Countdown to Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships will host an action-packed night of women’s mixed martial arts action on Wednesday, May 11. The world’s premier combat sports organization for women returns for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs Zappitella. The event will take place from Memorial Hall in Kansas City and is headlined by a strawweight championship bout.

In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Emily Ducote (10-6) meets former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). 

Premiering a week before the live event is the documentary, Countdown to Invicta FC 47. Viewers will get an in-depth look at the training camps of both Ducote and Zappitella as they prepare for their main event match-up.

Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of UFC veteran Danielle Taylor. “The fact that I’ve fought so many great girls gives me confidence to trust and handle myself in this fight wherever it goes. I’m going to do my best on May 11th and I expect to defend my title.”

Zappitella was most recently in action opposite Brazilian Jéssica Delboni. Prior to the bout with Delboni, Zappitella made it clear that 115 pounds was in her immediate future. “I’m always the smaller fighter. I definitely think Emily is taking me lightly and I think that she really just thinks that I’m just some small atomweight. She’s not that much bigger than me. I’m not concerned about Emily’s power. I have fought girls that are bigger her and I have practiced with girls that are much better than her.”

Countdown to Invicta FC 47 can be viewed in its entirety below.

CREDITS
Direction and Editing: Jorge Barbosa
Cinematography: Cynthia Vance and Mark Johnston

Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. The event will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live and free on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel.

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

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

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Invicta FC 47 Fight Card Finalized, Tickets On Sale Now

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the full fight card for its upcoming Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella event, which takes place Wednesday, May 11 from Memorial Hall.

In the night’s main event, strawweight champion Emily Ducote (10-6) meets former atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella (9-3, 1 NC). Oklahoma’s Ducote is coming off a highlight-reel knockout of UFC veteran Danielle Taylor. Zappitella was most recently in action opposite Brazilian Jéssica Delboni. Prior to the bout with Delboni, Zappitella made it clear that 115 pounds was in her immediate future.

Former bantamweight title challenger Lisa “Battle Angel” Verzosa (6-2) has been forced out of her planned match-up with the surging Serena “The Southpaw Outlaw” DeJesus (4-2). Stepping in against DeJesus will be returning Invicta veteran “The Quiet Storm” Brittney Cloudy (4-3).

Also joining the previously announced bouts is another strawweight match-up, as grappling ace Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (1-0) collides with fellow unbeaten Sidney “Sid Vicious” Trillo (2-0).

Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. Tickets for the event can be purchased through Eventbrite. The event will kick off at 8 p.m. ET/7 p.m. CT live on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and social media platforms.

The full fight card can be found below:

Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote vs. Alesha Zappitella
Featherweight: Courtney King vs. Chelsea Chandler
Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt vs. Jillian DeCoursey
Flyweight: Janaisa Morandin vs. Liana Pirosin
Bantamweight: Serena DeJesus vs. Brittney Cloudy
Strawweight: Fatima Kline vs. Sidney Trillo
Strawweight: Jennifer Chieng vs. Alyssa Linduska

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

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

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

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

The event — which takes place Wednesday, May 11 — features a strawweight title bout between current champion 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 Jéssica 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 as Lindsey “Damsel” VanZandt (7-5) will square off with “Lionheart” 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 for Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella will be announced in the coming weeks.

The full fight card can be found below:

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

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. 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 company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC 45 Results: Delboni Gets Revenge, Unseats Zappitella in Dominant Performance

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, Jan. 12, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2. The event was simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie.

In the night’s headliner, Alesha Zappitella and Jéssica Delboni met for a second time with Zappitella’s atomweight belt on the line. The Brazilian Delboni immediately fired a combination, but her aggression allowed Zappitella to drag the fight to the ground. Zappitella controlled the head and fired knees. Delboni reversed the position and looked for a single. Zappitella transitioned to a guillotine attempt, but Delboni escaped and separated. Zappitella tried for an arm-drag, then took Delboni down. Delboni briefly moved to the back of Zappitella as the two jostled for top position. The fight returned to the feet and Delboni landed punches. The second round began with a much more measured pace. Zappitella wasted little time looking for a takedown, but Delboni stayed upright. Another shot from Zappitella was answered with heavy elbows and punches from Delboni. An overhand right from Zappitella surprised Delboni for a moment. The takedown defense of Delboni was the difference as the round progressed. The confidence of Delboni grew in round three, as she unleashed combinations. The dynamics of the fight changed as the action consisted of striking exchanges. The Brazilian hurt Zappitella with a knee late in the frame. The championship rounds started with more strikes from Delboni. Zappitella looked to counter with right hands before shooting for the legs. Delboni punished Zappitella with punches as she remained latched to a leg. Another right hand from Delboni stunned the American, prompting her to grapple once more. The final round began with Delboni having a big lead on the scorecards. Zappitella went for broke with heavy punches. She changed levels and latched onto Delboni’s leg in the center of the cage. Delboni remained calm and continued to deliver hammerfists to the face of Zappitella. Late in the fight, Delboni looked to take Zappitella’s back. Zappitella escaped out the back, but Delboni transitioned to an armbar attempt. Zappitella worked free and gained top position. Delboni kept up her aggressive attack, working for a kneebar. The finish did not come, but there was no doubt on the scorecards as Delboni exacted revenge and claimed atomweight gold.

The co-main event of the evening featured Hong Kong’s Ramona Pascual opposite Shamir Peshewa in a 150-pound catchweight contest. A right hand from Pascual clipped Peshewa right off the opening bell and she followed it with a left straight. Pascual attacked the lead leg of Peshewa with low kicks. A knee from Pascual found the liver of Peshewa, who winced in pain and retreated to the cage. Pascual followed up with punches and the referee stepped in to halt the bout just 60 seconds into the first round.

Texas newcomer Hailey Cowan collided with Hawaii’s Monica Franco in a bantamweight affair. Cowan took the center of the cage and drove her way into the clinch. With double underhooks, Cowan held Franco against the fence. They traded short knees from close quarters, as Cowan looked for a trip takedown. The offense of Franco was negated by the strength of Cowan, who took the fight to the ground late in the round. A left hand from Cowan greeted Franco to open the second frame. The fight returned to the clinch and Cowan powered the fight back to the canvas along the fence. Cowan dropped heavy punches from the top as Franco struggled to escape. Cowan passed to mount, then took Franco’s back. She applied a rear-naked choke and Franco tapped.

Helen Peralta extended her success under the Invicta banner, handing fellow flyweight Elise Pone her first professional defeat. Peralta immediately started firing haymakers. She then threw a hook kick, but Pone was able to evade the flashy attack. Peralta pushed her way to the clinch, pinning Pone against the cage. Peralta delivered a steady stream of right hands from the clinch. Late in the round, Peralta dragged Pone to the ground and rained left hands. Pone was able to survive the onslaught. In round two, the fight quickly returned to the clinch and Peralta put Pone on her back. After a brief grappling exchange, Peralta allowed Pone to return to her feet. Peralta continued her relentless pressure in the clinch, scoring with a trip takedown late in the frame. Peralta opened round three with a powerful right hand that dropped Pone. Moments after Pone regained her footing, Peralta planted her on the canvas. When the fight returned to the feet, Pone connected with a heavy kick. Peralta returned to dominating in the clinch. A desperate Pone delivered an elbow that stunned Peralta, but it was too little, too late. All three judges scored the contest in favor of Peralta.

Atomweights squared off when Canada’s Katie Saull welcomed Tamika Jones to the promotion. The southpaw Saull fired her left hand like a piston. Jones struggled with the boxing prowess of Saull. The pair clinched against the fence and it was Saull who took down the wrestler Jones. Saull took the back of Jones and began to work for a rear-naked choke. Saull squeezed hard, but Jones never panicked and escaped to top position. Saull stayed aggressive, attacking with an armbar and coercing the tap from Jones late in the round.

The night kicked off in the bantamweight division as Sarah Kleczka returned to the Invicta cage to face off with Mexico’s Maria Jose Favela. The pair patiently gauged their range and looked for openings in the opening frame. Midway through the round, Favela connected with a solid right hand. Kleczka looked for a spinning backfist, but was countered by Favela. The Mexican fighter peppered the lead leg of Kleczka with kicks. Round two saw Kleczka flurry forward and pressure Favela. A right hand from Kleczka landed clean and she followed it with a combination along the fence. Favela switched stances to counter the forward advance of Kleczka. The final stanza began with the fight still up for grabs. The bantamweights traded heavy right hands late in the fight. The fight was sent to the judges, who were split in their verdict, rewarding Kleczka the victory.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Jéssica Delboni def. Alesha Zappitella by unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) – for atomweight title
Ramona Pascual def. Shamir Peshewa by TKO (knee and punches). Round 1, 1:00
Hailey Cowan def. Monica Franco by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 2, 3:17
Helen Peralta def. Elise Pone by unanimous decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Katie Saull def. Tamika Jones by submission (armbar). Round 1, 4:30
Sarah Kleczka def. Maria Jose Favela by split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. 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 company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2 Official Weigh-in Results

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – On Tuesday, Jan. 11, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted the weigh-ins for Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2. 

In the night’s headliner, current champion Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (9-2, 1 NC) will put her 105-pound belt on the line against Brazilian challenger Jéssica Delboni (11-3). The pair met on the promotion’s debut on AXS TV last May, with the American Zappitella retaining her title after a closely contested five-round battle. Delboni quickly rebounded from the split-decision loss, winning three fights in one night to capture the Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights crown and re-establishing herself as the No. 1 contender.

The event will be the first on Invicta FC’s new night of Wednesday for 2022, taking place Jan. 12 in Kansas City. All the action will be simulcast on Invicta FC’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:

Atomweight Title: Alesha Zappitella (104.8) vs. Jéssica Delboni (103.8)
Catchweight (150 pounds): Ramona Pascual (150) vs. Shamir Peshewa (153.4)*
Bantamweight: Monica Franco (135.4) vs. Hailey Cowan (135.4)
Flyweight: Helen Peralta (125.4) vs. Elise Pone (124.8)
Atomweight: Katie Saull (105.9) vs. Tamika Jones (105.3)
Bantamweight: Maria Favela (138.4)# vs. Sarah Kleczka (135)

* – Peshewa missed weight for the 150-pound catchweight and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

# – Favela missed the bantamweight limit of 136 pounds and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. 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 company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC 45 Streams Live on Invicta FC’s YouTube Channel and MMA Junkie

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships today announced the broadcast plans for its upcoming Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2 event.

The promotion is partnering with one of the biggest media outlets in MMA, five-time World MMA Awards winner MMA Junkie, part of the USA TODAY Sports Media Group. The fight card – which takes place Wednesday, Jan. 12 in Kansas City – will be simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie beginning at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT.

Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp commented on the broadcast deal, “What better way to expose our athletes to fight fans around the globe than MMA Junkie? For the last 15 years, they have been a staple of this industry and I am excited to work with them for this upcoming event.”

Invicta FC 45 is headlined by an atomweight grudge match between current titleholder Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (9-2, 1 NC) and Brazilian challenger Jéssica Delboni (11-3). The pair engaged in a back-and-forth battle in their first meeting in May, with Zappitella emerging with a split-decision victory to hold onto her belt. The No. 1 contender Delboni will be out to prove that the judges made a mistake in her previous title conquest.

In addition to the broadcast announcement, the scheduled strawweight contest between Hilarie Rose (5-3) and Emily “Spitfire” Whitmire (4-5) has been forced off the card and will be rescheduled for a future event.

The updated fight card for Invicta FC 45 can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Alesha Zappitella vs. Jéssica Delboni
Bantamweight: Claire Guthrie vs. Lauren Mueller
Featherweight: Courtney King vs. Ramona Pascual
Bantamweight: Monica Franco vs. Hailey Cowan
Bantamweight: Maria Favela vs. Sarah Kleczka

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. 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 company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

About USA TODAY Sports Media Group
The USA TODAY Sports Media Group encompasses all sports initiatives across USA TODAY Sports and Gannett’s more than 250 well-known local media brands. It includes the popular social news hub For The Win, and vertical sports sites Golfweek, MMAJunkie.com, NFL and NBA team wire sites, and leading high school sports destination USA TODAY High School Sports, among others. USA TODAY is owned by Gannett Co., Inc.

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Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2 Slated for Jan. 12

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. – Invicta Fighting Championships will start the New Year with a highly anticipated atomweight title rematch.

Current champion Alesha “Half Pint” Zappitella (9-2, 1 NC) will put her 105-pound belt on the line against Brazilian challenger Jéssica Delboni (11-3). The pair met on the promotion’s debut on AXS TV in May, with the American Zappitella retaining her title after a closely contested five-round battle. Delboni quickly rebounded from the split-decision loss, winning three fights in one night to capture the Phoenix Tournament: Atomweights crown and re-establishing herself as the No. 1 contender.

Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni 2 will be the first event on Invicta FC’s new night of Wednesday for 2022, taking place Jan. 12 in Kansas City. Broadcast information will be announced in the coming weeks.

Invicta President Shannon Knapp explained, “We are always looking for new ways to showcase our athletes and having events on Wednesdays will put the spotlight directly on them. The rematch between Zappitella and Delboni is a perfect way to kick off the action on our new night.”

In the co-main event, Colorado’s “Grizzly” Claire Guthrie (3-1) collides with Lauren “Princess Tiger” Mueller (5-4) in a bantamweight match-up. Guthrie will compete under the Invicta banner for the fifth time, with Mueller returning after her thrilling promotional debut at Invicta FC 44.

Also on the card, featherweight Courtney “The Lion” King (4-2) competes for the first time since her headlining clash with two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison at Invicta FC 43. King will take on Hong Kong native Ramona Pascual (5-2), who currently rides a three-fight winning streak.

Rounding out the fight card, Hawaiian “Fearless” Monica Franco (2-0) welcomes “All Hail” Hailey Cowan (5-2) to the Invicta cage in a 135-pound affair, strawweight veterans Hilarie Rose (5-3) and Emily “Spitfire” Whitmire (4-5) aim to infuse fresh contenders into the 115-pound division, and Mexico’s Maria Favela (2-1) moves up to bantamweight against returning veteran Sarah “Chucky” Kleczka (2-3).

The event will be overseen by the Kansas Athletic Commission and will feature open scoring. With the ongoing pandemic, the fights will take place behind closed doors — sans fans and media. As with any Invicta event, the safety of its athletes, their corners, its staff and commission officials is of the utmost priority. All participants will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event.

The full fight card can be found below:

Atomweight Title: Alesha Zappitella vs. Jéssica Delboni
Bantamweight: Claire Guthrie vs. Lauren Mueller
Featherweight: Courtney King vs. Ramona Pascual
Bantamweight: Monica Franco vs. Hailey Cowan
Strawweight: Hilarie Rose vs. Emily Whitmire
Bantamweight: Maria Favela vs. Sarah Kleczka

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. 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 company Gravitas Ventures; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion; Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.

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Invicta FC on AXS Results: Rodriguez Becomes First Mexican Champion, Zappitella Retains Atomweight Belt

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KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Friday, May 21, Invicta Fighting Championships kicked off a new era, hosting Invicta FC: Rodriguez vs. Torquato. The event marked the promotion’s debut on AXS TV in the United States and Fight Network in Canada. It also aired live and free on YouTube and is available for replay on demand.

In the night’s headliner, a new flyweight champion was crowned as Karina Rodriguez outworked Daiana Torquato over the course of five rounds. The Brazilian Torquato kicked the legs of Rodriguez to open the bout. Rodriguez countered with crisp boxing. A combination from Torquato backed Rodriguez to the fence and she landed a big uppercut. A heavy right hand from Torquato landed flush and she continued to pepper Rodriguez. Round two featured more low kicks from Torquato. Rodriguez continued to use her hands and dropped Torquato with a massive right hand as the bell sounded. The third frame was a back-and-forth affair as the low kicks from Torquato did not faze Rodriguez. The Mexican fighter increased her output and marched forward. As the fight entered the final rounds, the forward pressure and volume of Rodriguez was the difference. She opened a large cut under the right eye of Torquato with the constant barrage of punches. Torquato looked to grapple late in the fight, searching for the fight’s first takedown. Rodriguez stayed upright and pushed the action until the final bell. Rodriguez became the first Mexican champion in Invicta history with the unanimous decision nod from the judges.

The co-main event saw atomweight titleholder Alesha Zappitella defend her belt against Brazilian challenger Jéssica Delboni. The fight began with a feeling-out process on the feet as Delboni kept the fight at range. Zappitella shot for takedowns twice in the opening frame, but was stuffed on each attempt. A late head-and-arm throw scored for Zappitella. In round two, Zappitella again shot, then landed a heavy left hook after being stuffed yet again. The champion missed with a superwoman punch and the right hand of Delboni landed at will late in the frame. The third stanza was grueling. A big exchange late saw Zappitella land a knee, but Delboni countered with a left hand and she flurried to close the round. In the championship rounds, Delboni attacked the lead leg of Zappitella with kicks. She continued to push the action as Zappitella aimed to counter. The champion’s overhand right found its mark, but Delboni repeatedly fired back. With the open scoring system used by the Kansas commission, the scores were even across the board heading into the final round. Zappitella started the last round strong, pushing the challenger to the cage and scoring with short strikes. Delboni separated and landed from distance. She continued to batter the lead leg of Zappitella late in the frame. The fight would go the distance and the judges were called upon for a verdict. They were split in the result, but it was Zappitella who retained her belt.

Colorado’s Claire Guthrie spoiled the perfect record of Juliana Miller with a unanimous decision victory in their flyweight affair. Miller was aggressive from the onset, looking to take the fight to the ground. Guthrie showed great balance and scored with knees and elbows along the fence. Miller was relentless with her pressure, but she struggled to get the fight to the ground. It was more of the same in the second stanza, but Miller was able to latch onto a kimura and drag Guthrie to the mat. She scrambled well and took Guthrie’s back. It was short lived, as Guthrie was able to escape and land clean strikes. The final frame was a back-and-forth affair as both fighters had their moments. A heavy right hand from Guthrie appeared to wobble Miller, who was able to get the fight to the ground. Miller looked for numerous submissions, but was unable to find a finish. Guthrie celebrated as the judges rewarded her efforts.

Invicta veteran Josee Storts handed Mexico’s Maria Favela her first defeat after a back-and-forth battle to open the night’s main card. Storts used feints in round one to close the distance and initiate the clinch position. Favela countered with heavy knees as Storts worked for a takedown. A nice scramble from Favela allowed her to move to the back of Storts, but she was too aggressive and ended up on her back. The second round saw Storts march forward looking for takedowns. Favela showcased good takedown defense and landed heavy strikes to keep the Missouri native at bay. The final round began with a massive right hand from Storts that sent Favela reeling. The pair then jostled for position along the cage before Storts eventually drove the fight to the ground. Once there, she passed to mount and looked for an arm-triangle choke. Favela was able to escape, but the heavy top game of Storts was the difference on the judges’ scorecards.

Grappling ace Fatima Kline put on a clinic in her strawweight match-up with Ariana Melendez. The 20-year-old Kline quickly took the fight to the mat and immediately passed to half guard. She attacked the left arm of Melendez, which forced a scramble. Kline used it to secure the back of Melendez and locked on a body triangle. Once in the dominant position, Kline flattened out Melendez and slapped on a fight-finishing rear-naked choke.

The night’s action kicked off in the flyweight division as striking stalwarts Elise Pone and Chrissy Yandolli made their professional and promotional debuts. The pair were patient in the opening round, gauging their range. They exchanged a variety of kicks, but it was Pone who edged out the round with a steady stream of low kicks. In round two, the pace picked up and both fighters fired combinations. The pressure of Pone overwhelmed Yandolli and she hurt her along the fence. Once there, Pone unleashed a barrage of strikes that forced the referee to step in and halt the contest.

OFFICIAL RESULTS
Karina Rodriguez def. Daiana Torquato by unanimous decision (50-45, 48-47, 49-46) – for flyweight title
Alesha Zappitella def. Jéssica Delboni by split decision (48-47, 47-48, 48-47) – for atomweight title
Claire Guthrie def. Juliana Miller by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Josee Storts def. Maria Favela by unanimous decision (29-28 x3)
Fatima Kline def. Ariana Melendez by submission (rear-naked choke). Round 1, 3:00
Elise Pone def. Chrissy Yandolli by TKO (strikes). Round 2, 2:07

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

About Anthem Sports & Entertainment, Inc.
Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc. is a globally integrated 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; Fight Network, the world’s premier combat sports channel; IMPACT Wrestling, one of the world’s leading wrestling organizations specializing in original programming and live events; Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s premier all-women mixed martial arts promotion;  Game+, the leader in Esports and gaming content; GameTV, the home of game shows and competition-based reality series; and HDNet Movies, which features theatrically released films and documentaries. Anthem also has a significant ownership interest in Pursuit Channel, one of the top outdoor channels in the U.S.