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Invicta Fighting Championships

American mixed martial arts promotion


American mixed martial arts promotion

FieldValue
nameInvicta Fighting Championships
typeSubsidiary
foundation
founderShannon Knapp
Janet Martin
parentAnthem Sports & Entertainment
industryMixed martial arts promotion
homepage
locationKansas City, Missouri, United States
area_servedUnited States
key_people

Janet Martin Invicta Fighting Championships, also known as Invicta FC, is an American professional mixed martial arts (MMA) promotion dedicated to women's mixed martial arts that was founded in 2012 by Janet Martin and Shannon Knapp. The promotion is currently owned by the Canadian-based Anthem Sports & Entertainment.{{cite web | access-date = 2012-06-15 | access-date = 2012-06-15 | archive-date = 2020-07-16 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20200716122130/http://www.fighters.com/03/24/shannon-knapp-reveals-how-invicta-fc-came-together-and-what-it-means-for-womens-mma | url-status = dead

The company's name comes from the Latin word for "invincible and incomparable", which appears in the feminine form.{{cite web | access-date = 2012-06-15

History

Formation

After Zuffa, parent company of the UFC, purchased rival promotion Strikeforce in March 2011, Shannon Knapp received several calls from female fighters concerned about a possible lack of representation for women's MMA. Knapp would meet with Janet Martin and the two acquired the financial resources needed to launch a new MMA promotion.{{cite web | access-date = 2012-06-15 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120429010038/http://sportsillustrated.cnn.com/2012/writers/loretta_hunt/04/27/invicta/index.html | url-status = dead | archive-date = April 29, 2012 | access-date = 2012-06-15

The promotion held its first event, Invicta FC 1 on April 28, 2012.{{cite web | access-date = 2012-06-15 |access-date = 2012-06-15 |url-status = dead |archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120605024318/http://mmajunkie.com/news/28164/as-debut-nears-invictas-randi-miller-not-interested-in-ronda-rouseys-easy-road.mma |archive-date = 2012-06-05 | access-date = 2012-06-15 | archive-date = 2012-04-30 | archive-url = https://web.archive.org/web/20120430073400/http://sports.yahoo.com/news/two-firsts-ronda-rousey-joins-tuf-live-esther-172100227--mma.html | url-status = dead

On June 9, 2012, it was announced that Invicta has formed a strategic partnership with Japanese promotion JEWELS to cross-promote fighters on their respective cards in the United States and Japan.{{cite web

Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg, which took place on July 13, 2013, would mark the first event to be aired on cable and satellite pay-per-view, in addition to IPPV through a deal with Integrated Sports Media for live viewing. In 2014, Invicta began exclusively streaming events on UFC Fight Pass, with the company's fight library also made available on the service. Invicta FC 8 would be the first event to stream live on Fight Pass.

On February 24, 2015, Brazilian channel Combate acquired broadcast rights to Invicta live events as well as events from the Invicta library in South America.

Acquisition by Anthem

On April 15, 2021, it was announced that Anthem Sports & Entertainment had acquired Invicta. Starting with Invicta FC 44 on May 21, Invicta events are broadcast live on the Anthem-owned networks AXS TV and Fight Network in the United States and Canada, respectively. Invicta's events would also stream live on the promotion's YouTube channel.

On September 21, 2022, Invicta announced that it had made a deal with FOX Sports Mexico for Mexican broadcast rights, starting with Invicta FC 49.

On June 11, 2024, Invicta announced that it had signed a deal with CBS Sports to air all of that year's events on the CBS Sports Network in the United States, starting with Invicta FC 55 on June 28.

Roster

Main article: List of current Invicta FC fighters

Rules

Invicta's current rules follows the Unified Rules of Mixed Martial Arts that were originally established by the New Jersey State Athletic Control Board and modified by the Nevada State Athletic Commission.

Events

Main article: List of Invicta FC events}}{{cite web

Past events

#EventDateVenueLocationRef
67Invicta FC 62: Lehner vs. RubinThe LEX at Municipal AuditoriumKansas City, Missouri. U.S.
66Invicta FC 61: Ferreira vs. PalaciosGrand Casino Hotel & ResortShawnee, Oklahoma. U.S.
65Invicta FC 60: Rubin vs. CantuáriaCenter StageAtlanta, Georgia. U.S.
64Invicta FC 59: Bernardo vs. MaiaThe EasternAtlanta, Georgia. U.S.
63Invicta FC 58: Ducote vs. OstroverkhovaMemorial HallKansas City, Kansas. U.S.
62Invicta FC 57: Ferreira vs. RomeroMemorial HallKansas City, Kansas. U.S.
61Invicta FC 56: Maia vs. CantuáriaStockyards Event CenterDenver, Colorado. U.S.
60Invicta FC 55: Bernardo vs. RubinMemorial HallKansas City, Kansas. U.S.
59Invicta FC 54: McCormack vs. WojcikCitizens House of BluesBoston, Massachusetts, U.S.
58Invicta FC 53: DeCoursey vs. Dos SantosReelWorks DenverDenver, Colorado, U.S.
57Invicta FC 52: Machado vs. McCormack
56Invicta FC 51: Tennant vs. Bernardo
55Invicta FC 50
54Invicta FC 49: Delboni vs. DeCourseySugar Creek CasinoHinton, Oklahoma, U.S.
53Invicta FC 48: Tennant vs. RubinReelWorks DenverDenver, Colorado, U.S.
52Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. ZappitellaMemorial HallKansas City, Kansas, U.S.
51Invicta FC 46: Rodríguez vs. Torquato II
50Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni IIPolice Athletic League
49Invicta FC 44: A New EraMemorial Hall
48Phoenix Tournament: Atomweight
47Invicta FC: Rodríguez vs. TorquatoPolice Athletic League
46Invicta FC 43: King vs. Harrison
45Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella
44Invicta FC 41: Morandin vs. Ruiz
43Invicta FC 40: Ducote vs. Lima
42Phoenix Series 3Memorial Hall
41Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II
40Invicta FC 38: Murata vs. Ducote
39Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez
38Phoenix Series 2
37Invicta FC 36: Sorenson vs. Young
36Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez II
35Phoenix Series 1
34Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez
33Invicta FC 33: Frey vs. Grusander IIScottish Rite TempleKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
32Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. SorensonFirelake ArenaShawnee, Oklahoma, U.S.
31Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. MorandinScottish Rite TempleKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
30Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander
29Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner
28Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. JandirobaUnion Event CenterSalt Lake City, Utah, U.S.
27Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. KianzadScottish Rite TempleKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
26Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź
25Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhiTachi PalaceLemoore, California, U.S.
24Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. BorellaScottish Rite TempleKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
23Invicta FC 23: Porto vs. Niedźwiedź
22Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II
21Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet
20Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya
19Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi
18Invicta FC 18: Grasso vs. Esquibel
17Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. SchneiderOC Fair & Event CenterCosta Mesa, California, U.S.
16Invicta FC 16: Hamasaki vs. BrownTrinidad PavilionLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
15Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. IbragimovaOC Fair & Event CenterCosta Mesa, California, U.S.
14Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. KianzadMunicipal AuditoriumKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
13Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van DuinThe Cosmopolitan Resort & CasinoLas Vegas, Nevada, U.S.
12Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. SouzaMunicipal AuditoriumKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
11Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. TweetShrine Expo HallLos Angeles, California, U.S.
10Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. TiburcioArena TheaterHouston, Texas, U.S.
9Invicta FC 9: Honchak vs. HashiRiverCenterDavenport, Iowa, U.S.
8Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. TamadaMunicipal AuditoriumKansas City, Missouri, U.S.
7Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. SmithAmeristar Casino Kansas City
6Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg
5Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson
4Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. HyattMemorial HallKansas City, Kansas, U.S.
3Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama
2Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann
1Invicta FC 1: Coenen vs. Ruyssen

Current champions

DivisionUpper weight limitChampionSinceTitle DefensesTop Contender
Featherweight145 lbVacantJuly 13, 2021
Bantamweight135 lbBRA Jennifer MaiaDecember 13, 2024 (Invicta FC 59)
Flyweight125 lbVacantMay 2, 2023
Strawweight115 lbVacantJuly 16, 2024
Atomweight105 lbBRA Elisandra FerreiraSeptember 20, 2024 (Invicta FC 57)1

Title history

Featherweight Championship

:136 to 145 lbs (62 to 66 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses1-Cyborg vacated the title on March 24, 2017 to compete full time with the UFC.2Anderson vacated the title on June 20, 2017 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.3Spencer vacated the title on March 26, 2019 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship4Sorenson vacated the title on July 13, 2021 to sign with Bellator MMA.
BRA Cris Cyborg
def. Marloes CoenenInvicta FC 6
Kansas City, MO, USJul 13, 20131351 days
AUS Megan Anderson
def. Charmaine Tweet for interim titleInvicta FC 21
Kansas City, MO, USJan 14, 2017-
AUS Megan Anderson
promoted to undisputed championInvicta FC 22
Kansas City, MO, USMar 24, 201788 days
CAN Felicia Spencer
def. Pam SorensonInvicta FC 32
Shawnee, OK, USNov 16, 2018129 days
USA Pam Sorenson
def. Kaitlin YoungInvicta FC 36
Kansas City, KS, USAug 9, 2019705 days

Bantamweight Championship

:126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses1Murphy vacated title on July 3, 2014 to sign with the UFC.2Evinger had her defeat at Invicta FC 20 annulled on December 1, 2016 after proving that the referee took her out of a favorable position and remained champion.Evinger vacated title on July 3, 2017 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.3Kunitskaya vacated title on February 7, 2018 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.4Kaufman vacated title on May 9, 2019 to sign with the Professional Fighters League.5Stoliarenko vacated title on July 31, 2020 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.678
USA Lauren Murphy
def. Miriam NakamotoInvicta FC 7
Kansas City, MO, USDec 7, 2013208 days
USA Tonya Evinger
def. Irene AldanaInvicta FC 13
Las Vegas, NV, USJul 9, 2015724 days
RUS Yana Kunitskaya
def. Raquel Pa'aluhiInvicta FC 25
Lemoore, CA, USAug 31, 2017160 days
CAN Sarah Kaufman
def. Katharina LehnerInvicta FC 29
Kansas City, MO, USMay 4, 2018368 days
Lithuania Julija Stoliarenko
def. Lisa SpanglerInvicta FC Phoenix Series 3
Kansas City, KS, USAMar 6, 2020147 days
USA Taneisha Tennant
def. Lisa SpanglerInvicta FC 44
Kansas City, KS, USAug 27, 2021509 days
BRA Talita Bernardo
Invicta FC 51
Denver, CO, USJan 18, 2023684 days
BRA Jennifer Maia
Invicta FC 59
Atlanta, GA, USDec 13, 2024days
(incumbent)

Flyweight Championship

:116 to 125 lbs (53 to 56 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses1-2345
USA Barb Honchak
def. Vanessa PortoInvicta FC 5
Kansas City, MO, USApr 5, 20131266 days
BRA Jennifer Maia
def. Vanessa Porto for interim titleInvicta FC 16
Las Vegas, NV, USMar 11, 2016-
Honchak was stripped of the title due to inactivity on September 22, 2016
BRA Jennifer Maia
promoted to undisputed championInvicta FC 19
Kansas City, MO, USSep 22, 2016652 days
Maia vacated title on July 7, 2018 to sign with the Ultimate Fighting Championship.
BRA Vanessa Porto
def. Pearl GonzalezInvicta FC 34
Kansas City, MO, USAFeb 15, 2019564 days
Porto vacated title on September 2, 2020 to sign with Bellator MMA.
MEX Karina Rodríguez
def. Daiana TorquatoInvicta FC: Rodríguez vs. Torquato
Kansas City, KS, USMay 21, 2021421 days
Rodríguez vacated title on July 17, 2022 to sign with Bellator MMA.
BRA Ketlen Souza
def. Kristina WilliamsInvicta FC 51
Denver, CO, USAJan 18, 2023104 days
Souza vacated title on May 2, 2023 to sign with the UFC.

Strawweight Championship

:106 to 115 lbs (49 to 52 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses1Esparza vacated title on December 11, 2013 to participate in The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned.{{cite web234Hill vacated title on February 4, 2017 to return to the UFC.5Jandiroba vacated title on April 7, 2019 to sign with the UFC.6Van Buren vacated title on June 11, 2019 to sign with the UFC.7Murata vacated title on September 2, 2020 to sign with the UFC.8Ducote vacated title on June 2, 2022 to sign with the UFC.910McCormack vacated title on July 16, 2024 to compete on the Road to UFC Season 3.
USA Carla Esparza
def. Bec HyattInvicta FC 4
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Jan 5, 2013341 days
url = http://www.bloodyelbow.com/2013/12/11/5201972/ufc-strawweight-tuf-invicta-contracts-first-champion-gadelha-esparza-calderwood-torres-mma-newstitle = UFC announces signing of 11 women strawweights for TUF season, winner becomes first UFC 115lb champauthor = Simon, Zanedate = 2013-12-11publisher = Bloody Elbowlocation = United Statesaccess-date = 2013-12-13url = https://twitter.com/shanknapp/status/410980964190277633title = Invicta FC Strawweight title vacatedpublisher = Twitterlocation = United Statesaccess-date = 2013-12-13
FIN Katja Kankaanpää
def. Stephanie EgginkInvicta FC 8
Kansas City, MO, U.S.Sep 6, 2014230 days
BRA Lívia Renata Souza
Invicta FC 12
Kansas City, MO, U.S.Apr 24, 2015380 days
USA Angela Hill
Invicta FC 17
Costa Mesa, CA, U.S.May 7, 2016274 days
BRA Virna Jandiroba
def. Mizuki InoueInvicta FC 28
Salt Lake City, UT, U.S.Mar 24, 2018379 days
1. def. Janaisa Morandin at Invicta FC 31 on Sep 1, 2018
USA Brianna Van Buren
def. Kailin CurranInvicta Phoenix Series 1
Kansas City, KS, U.S.May 3, 201939 days
JPN Kanako Murata
def. Emily DucoteInvicta FC 38
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Nov 1, 2019305 days
USA Emily Ducote
def. Danielle TaylorInvicta FC 44
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Aug 27, 2021279 days
BRA Valesca Machado
def. Karolina WójcikInvicta FC 50
Denver, CO, U.S.Nov 16, 2022118 days
IRE Danni McCormack
Invicta FC 52
Denver, CO, U.S.Mar 15, 2023489 days

Atomweight Championship

:96 to 105 lbs (44 to 48 kg)

No.NameEventDateReignDefenses1234Hamasaki vacated title on July 15, 2017 to sign with Rizin Fighting Federation.5Frey was stripped of the title on February 6, 2020 after failing to make weight against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 39.6789Dos Santos vacated title on October 17, 2023 to sign with UFC.10
USA Jessica Penne
def. Naho SugiyamaInvicta FC 3
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Oct 6, 2012181 days
USA Michelle WatersonInvicta FC 5
Kansas City, MO, U.S.Apr 5, 2013609 days
BRA Hérica TibúrcioInvicta FC 10
Houston, TX, U.S.Dec 5, 2014216 days
JPN Ayaka HamasakiInvicta FC 13
Las Vegas, NV, U.S.Jul 9, 2015737 days
USA Jinh Yu Frey
def. Minna GrusanderInvicta FC 30
Kansas City, MO, U.S.Jul 21, 2018564 days
USA Alesha Zappitella
def. Ashley CumminsInvicta FC 42
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Sep 17, 2020482 days
BRA Jéssica Delboni
Invicta FC 45
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Jan 12, 2022258 days
USA Jillian DeCoursey
Invicta FC 49
Hinton, OK, USASep 28, 2022215 days
BRA Rayanne dos Santos
Invicta FC 53
Denver, CO, USAMay 3, 2023167 days
BRA Elisandra Ferreira
Invicta FC 57
Kansas City, KS, U.S.Sep 20, 2024days
(incumbent)

Records

Most wins in title bouts

Title winsChampionDivisionVDNCL43
BRA Cristiane JustinoFeatherweight4000
USA Barb HonchakFlyweight3000
JPN Ayaka HamasakiAtomweight3000
BRA Jennifer MaiaFlyweight3000

Most consecutive title defenses

DefensesChampionDivisionPeriod3
BRA Cristiane JustinoFeatherweightJuly 12, 2013 – March 24, 2017

Champions by nationality

The division champions include only linear and true champions. Interim champions who have never become linear champions will be listed as interim champions. Fighters with multiple title reigns in a specific division will also be counted once.

CountryDivision
championsInterim
championsTotal
14-14
11-11
2-2
2-2
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1
1-1

References

References

  1. (2021-04-15). "Invicta FC sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment, events to air on AXS TV".
  2. (September 24, 2012). "Super Fight League to Develop Women's MMA Talent". mmapundit.co.uk.
  3. (20 June 2013). "Invicta FC 6 to air on cable and satellite pay-per-view in U.S. and Canada". MMAjunkie.
  4. Shaun Al-Shatti. (10 July 2014). "Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada set for UFC Fight Pass debut". MMA Fighting.
  5. (24 February 2015). "Combate transmite ao vivo defesa de título de Cris Cyborg no Invicta FC 11". sportv.globo.com/site/combate.
  6. (2021-04-15). "Invicta women's MMA promotion sold to Anthem".
  7. Jay Anderson. (September 21, 2022). "Invicta FC Announces Broadcast Deal with FOX Sports Mexico". cagesidepress.com.
  8. Heck, Mike. (June 11, 2024). "Invicta FC announces new broadcast partner, rest of 2024 schedule".
  9. "NSAC Regulations: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT". Nevada State Athletic Commission.
  10. "INVICTA FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS". Sherdog.com.
  11. Tatum, Rob. (June 28, 2024). "Invicta FC 55 Results: Bernardo Submits Rubin to Retain Bantamweight Title". Invicta Fighting Championships.
  12. Anderson, Jay. (2023-01-23). "Valesca Machado vs. Danni McCormack Strawweight Title Fight Announced for Invicta FC 52".
  13. (14 December 2022). "Invicta FC 51: Taneisha Tennant defends bantamweight belt against Talita Bernardo".
  14. (2 June 2022). "Invicta FC champion Emily Ducote signs with UFC, fights Jessica Penne on Long Island".
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