The flyweight division has been getting a lot of attention as of late, and InvictaFC is no exception.
The 23rd offering comes this Saturday as some of the best 125 pound athletes on the planet converge in Kansas City and will be live on Fight Pass.
The main and co-main event will determine number 1 contenders for Jennifer Maias flyweight title. Two bright prospects inAgnieszka Niedźwiedź andSarah DAlelio will look to upset veterans Vanessa Porto and Roxanne Modafferi (respectively).
Fan favorite Andrea Lee taking and newcomer Liz Tracey round out the flyweight talent Saturday.
Here are the weights and breakdowns of the fights on Saturday (Photos courtesy Scott Hirano, Invicta FC).
(*- Elizabetnh Phillips missed weight and will be fined 25% of her purse)
Vanessa Porto (125.8)vs. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (126)
The Fighters:
Vanessa Porto (18-7): The former title challenger looks to gain a trilogy fight with Maia.
Agnieszka Niedźwiedź (9-0): The undefeated fight looks for her shot at the belt.
The Storyline:
Porto came up short last year, losing a decision to Jennifer Maia for the vacant 125 title. Maia tied up their series one a piece.
Niedźwiedź didnt miss a step in her comeback last year after a two year absence. She ended Christine Stanleys undefeated streak, and followed up getting a TKO win overSamara Santos at Ladies Fight Night in December.
What to expect:
This is a huge step forNiedźwiedź, who at 22 is in arms reach of a title shot. She has yet to fight a five round fight and a durable Porto will be hard to finish. (The last time Porto was finished was by submission Sarah DAlelio in 2012).
Roxanne Modafferi (125.7) vs Sarah DAlelio (125.6)
The Fighters:
Roxanne Modafferi (20-13): The Peoples Champ looks to gain another shot at the brass ring
Sarah DAlelio (11-6): The Monster looks to gain her first shot at a world title
The Storyline:
After a split decision loss to Jennifer Maia,Modafferis stock rose to new heights. She soon rebounded with a submission win overPriscila de Souza in April.
After taking a year off to prepare for her move to 125,DAlelio has been on a roll with three straight victories at that weight with submissions over Andrea Lee and Jaymee Nievara. She also has a win over the aforementioned Porto.
What to expect:
Modafferi might need to dig into her jiu-jitsu roots against the strong grappler inDAlelio. If it does got to the ground, expect some excitement as Modafferi likes to work off her back andDAlelio from top. In a striking battle gives the edge to Modafferi.
Herica Tibercio (105.5)vs. Tessa Simpson (105.8)
The Fighters:
Herica Tibercio (10-4): The former champ looks to work her way back to title contention.
Tessa Simpson (5-1): Simpson looks to step up and stand out at 105
The Storyline:
Since losing the title, it hasnt been an easy road forTibercio. After a decision loss to Jinh Yu, she would have a three round war withSimona Soukupova, gaining her a performance of the night bonus.
Simpson is also coming off a decision win overSoukupova, gaining her a Fight of the Night bonus. A win over the former champ can propel her into a title shot.
What to expect:
One of the closer matches on the card. Simpsons reach could play a factor. Tibercio will need to use her experience to gain the upper hand.
Elizabeth Phillips (140.4)* vs Kelly Faszholz (135.3)
The Fighters:
Elizabeth Phillips (6-5):Coming off her first loss in Invicta, she looks to gain her first win.
Kelly Faszholz (3-2): The UFC bet looks to restart her career in Invicta.
The Storyline:
Both having been in the UFC, Phillips andFaszholz look to be the next fighters to reinvent and reinvigorate their careers to make it back to the octagon.
Phillips is coming off a loss at featherweight to Leah Letson and attempted to cut to bantamweight this time around with little success.
Faszholz started her career 3-0 before losing back to back fights in the UFC. Like Angela Hill and Ashley Yoder, she looks to gain a few wins to get back to the UFC.
What to expect:
Phillips has been know for her close wins and losses and hasnt had a finish since 2014.Faszholz has won with the ground game, gaining three chokes in her three victories.
Andrea Lee (125.5)vs Liz Tracy (125.4)
The Fighters:
Andrea Lee (6-2): The Legacy champ returns to the Invicta cage
Liz Tracy (3-1): The top flyweight prospect from Oregon looks to make a quick impact
The Storyline:
After her suspension, Lee came back with a bang with a submission win over Heather Bassett to win the newly created LFA title. Lee has been working on her submission game and took a few grappling bouts during her hiatus.
Tracy is coming off a split decision win over InvictaFC vet Christine Stanley, with her only loss to UFCs Ashley Yoder by split decision.
What to expect:
Lee has more experience against season fighters, which will be a step up for Tracy. Tracy, however, has proven durable and has a strength advantage coming in.
Tiffany Van Soest (115.4)vs Christine Ferea (115.9)
The Fighters:
Tiffany Van Soest (0-2): The Muay Thai standout looks for her first MMA win
Christine Ferea (1-0): Fellow Muay Thai fighter looks for her second MMA win
The Storyline:
It was tough go for Van Soest for her second MMA fight, showing her lack grappling experience. After taking a few wins in Muay Thai, she looks to get her first win in the Invicta cage.
Ferea has split her time between MMA and Muay Thai as well, gaining her first InvictaFC win January, upsetting star Rachael Ostovich. She is dropping to 115 for this fight.
What to expect:
Both stand up artists, will be interesting to see ifFerea takes it to the ground and if so, will Van Soest show improvement on the ground. If it stays on the feet, Van Soest takes the edge.
Ediane Gomes (145.4)vs Pam Sorenson (145.4)
The Fighters:
Ediane Gomes (10-4): Back to featherweight, Gomes looks for a title shot
Pam Sorenson (5-1-1): The new blood at 145 looks to make her argument for gold
The Storyline:
Its been two years since we last saw Gomes, who looked terrible cutting to bantamweight. She was on a four fight win streak before deciding to drop. In a division in need of talent, Gomes can make an argument with a win for a title shot in Invicta or the UFC.
Sorenson has three straight wins at 135 including her last Invicta bout win over Jessy Rose Clark. The path to the title is shorter at 145, so she a win could get her in contention.
What to expect:
Gomes will have a weight advantage after weigh-ins and has an experience and ground advantage. Will the easier cut for Sorenson help with endurance?
Yaya Rincon (135.4)vs Brooksie Bayard (135.4)
The Fighters:
Yaya Rincon (4-0 amateur): The California standout makes her pro debut
Brooksie Bayard (1-1): After a two year absence, Bayard ready for her InvictaFC debut
The Storyline:
Rincon has been a rising prospect in the amateur ranks and in a 135 division needing developing talent, she could prove to be the next star.
Also can Bayard, who is looking to gain her second win in the cage.
What to expect:
Both coming off two year layoffs, will be interesting to see how each have improved on their time off. Both pressure fighters, look for Rincon to have an advantage on the ground and reach.
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