Invicta Fighting Championships
![]() | |
Type | Private |
---|---|
Industry | Mixed martial arts promotion |
Founded | 2012 |
Founder | Shannon Knapp Janet Martin |
Headquarters | United States |
Area served | United States |
Key people | Shannon Knapp (President) Julie Kedzie (Matchmaker) Amanda Nunes (matchmaker and athlete development team) |
Owners | Anthem Sports & Entertainment |
Website | http://www.invictafc.com/ |
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.[1] [2][3]
The company's name comes from the Latin word for "invincible and incomparable", which appears in the feminine form.[4]
History[]
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.[2][5][6]
The promotion held its first event, Invicta FC 1 on April 28, 2012 .[7] The event was headlined by a rematch between former Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion Marloes Coenen and French fighter Romy Ruyssen.[7] The event also marked the MMA debut of 2008 Summer Olympics women's freestyle wrestling medalist Randi Miller.[8][9]
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.[10] On September 24, Invicta would announce another cross-promotional partnership with the Super Fight League.[11]
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.[12] 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.[13]
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.[14]
On April 15, 2021, it was announced that Anthem Sports & Entertainment had acquired Invicta.[15] Starting with Invicta FC 44 on May 21, 2021, 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.[16]
Roster[]
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.[17]
Events[]
Scheduled events[]
# | Event | Date | Venue | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
50 | TBD | TBD | TBD | TBD |
Past events[]
# | Event | Date | Venue | Location |
---|---|---|---|---|
49 | Invicta FC 44: A New Era | August 27, 2021 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
48 | Phoenix Tournament: Atomweight | June 11, 2021 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
47 | Invicta FC: Rodríguez vs. Torquato | May 21, 2021 | Police Athletic League | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
46 | Invicta FC 43: King vs. Harrison | November 20, 2020 | Police Athletic League | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
45 | Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella | September 17, 2020 | Police Athletic League | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
44 | Invicta FC 41: Morandin vs. Ruiz | July 30, 2020 | Police Athletic League | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
43 | Invicta FC 40: Ducote vs. Lima | July 2, 2020 | Police Athletic League | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
42 | Phoenix Series 3 | March 6, 2020 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
41 | Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II | February 7, 2020 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
40 | Invicta FC 38: Murata vs. Ducote | November 1, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
39 | Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez | October 4, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
38 | Phoenix Series 2 | September 6, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
37 | Invicta FC 36: Sorenson vs. Young | August 9, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
36 | Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez II | June 7, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
35 | Phoenix Series 1 | May 3, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
34 | Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez | February 15, 2019 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
33 | Invicta FC 33: Frey vs. Grusander II | December 15, 2018 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
32 | Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson | November 16, 2018 | Firelake Arena | Shawnee, Oklahoma, U.S. |
31 | Invicta FC 31: Jandiroba vs. Morandin | September 1, 2018 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
30 | Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander | July 21, 2018 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
29 | Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner | May 4, 2018 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
28 | Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba | March 24, 2018 | Union Event Center | Salt Lake City, Utah, U.S. |
27 | Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad | January 13, 2018 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
26 | Invicta FC 26: Maia vs. Niedźwiedź | December 8, 2017 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
25 | Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi | August 31, 2017 | Tachi Palace | Lemoore, California, U.S. |
24 | Invicta FC 24: Dudieva vs. Borella | July 15, 2017 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
23 | Invicta FC 23: Porto vs. Niedźwiedź | May 20, 2017 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
22 | Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II | March 25, 2017 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
21 | Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet | January 14, 2017 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
20 | Invicta FC 20: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya | November 18, 2016 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
19 | Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi | September 23, 2016 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
18 | Invicta FC 18: Grasso vs. Esquibel | July 29, 2016 | Scottish Rite Temple | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
17 | Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. Schneider | May 7, 2016 | OC Fair & Event Center | Costa Mesa, California, U.S. |
16 | Invicta FC 16: Hamasaki vs. Brown | March 11, 2016 | Trinidad Pavilion | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
15 | Invicta FC 15: Cyborg vs. Ibragimova | January 16, 2016 | OC Fair & Event Center | Costa Mesa, California, U.S. |
14 | Invicta FC 14: Evinger vs. Kianzad | September 12, 2015 | Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
13 | Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin | July 9, 2015 | The Cosmopolitan Resort & Casino | Las Vegas, Nevada, U.S. |
12 | Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza | April 24, 2015 | Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
11 | Invicta FC 11: Cyborg vs. Tweet | February 27, 2015 | Shrine Expo Hall | Los Angeles, California, U.S. |
10 | Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio | December 5, 2014 | Arena Theater | Houston, Texas, U.S. |
9 | Invicta FC 9: Honchak vs. Hashi | November 1, 2014 | RiverCenter | Davenport, Iowa, U.S. |
8 | Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada | September 6, 2014 | Municipal Auditorium | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
7 | Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith | December 7, 2013 | Ameristar Casino Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
6 | Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg | July 13, 2013 | Ameristar Casino Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
5 | Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson | April 5, 2013 | Ameristar Casino Kansas City | Kansas City, Missouri, U.S. |
4 | Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt | January 5, 2013 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
3 | Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama | October 6, 2012 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
2 | Invicta FC 2: Baszler vs. McMann | July 28, 2012 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
1 | Invicta FC 1: Coenen vs. Ruyssen | April 28, 2012 | Memorial Hall | Kansas City, Kansas, U.S. |
Current champions[]
Division | Upper weight limit | Champion | Since | Title Defenses | Top Contender |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
Featherweight | 145 lb (66 kg; 10.4 st) | Vacant | July 13, 2021 | ||
Bantamweight | 135 lb (61 kg; 9.6 st) | ![]() |
August 27, 2021 (Invicta FC 44) | ||
Flyweight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) | ![]() |
May 21, 2021 (Invicta FC on AXS TV) | 0 | |
Strawweight | 115 lb (52 kg; 8.2 st) | ![]() |
August 27, 2021 (Invicta FC 44) | ||
Atomweight | 105 lb (48 kg; 7.5 st) | ![]() |
September 17, 2020 (Invicta FC 42) | 1 |
Title history[]
Featherweight Championship[]
- 136 to 145 lbs (62 to 66 kg)
No. | Name | Event | Date | Reign | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Marloes Coenen |
Invicta FC 6: Coenen vs. Cyborg Kansas City, MO, USA |
July 13, 2013 | 1351 days |
1. def. Charmaine Tweet at Invicta FC 11 on Feb 27, 2015 2. def. Faith Van Duin at Invicta FC 13 on July 9, 2015 3. def. Daria Ibragimova at Invicta FC 15 on Jan 16, 2016. |
- | ![]() def. Charmaine Tweet for interim title |
Invicta FC 21: Anderson vs. Tweet Kansas City, MO, USA |
January 14, 2017 | - | |
Justino vacated the title on March 24, 2017 to compete full time with the UFC. | |||||
2 | ![]() promoted to undisputed champion |
Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs. Kunitskaya II Kansas City, MO, USA |
March 24, 2017 | 88 days |
|
Anderson vacated the title on June 20, 2017 to sign with the UFC | |||||
3 | ![]() def. Pam Sorenson |
Invicta FC 32: Spencer vs. Sorenson Shawnee, OK, USA |
November 16, 2018 | 129 days |
|
Spencer vacated the title on March 26, 2019 to sign with the UFC | |||||
4 | ![]() def. Kaitlin Young |
Invicta FC 36: Sorenson vs. Young Kansas City, KS, USA |
August 9, 2019 | 705 days |
|
Sorenson vacated the title on July 13, 2021 to sign with Bellator MMA |
Bantamweight Championship[]
- 126 to 135 lbs (57 to 61 kg)
No. | Name | Event | Date | Reign | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Miriam Nakamoto |
Invicta FC 7: Honchak vs. Smith Kansas City, MO, USA |
December 7, 2013 | 208 days | |
Murphy vacated title on July 3, 2014 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
2 | ![]() def. Irene Aldana |
Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin Las Vegas, NV, USA |
July 9, 2015 | 724 days |
1. def. Colleen Schneider at Invicta FC 17 on May 7, 2016. NC. vs. Yana Kunitskaya at Invicta FC 20 on Nov 18, 2016. 2. def. Yana Kunitskaya at Invicta FC 22 on Mar 25, 2017. |
Evinger 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 UFC. | |||||
3 | ![]() def. Raquel Pa'aluhi |
Invicta FC 25: Kunitskaya vs. Pa'aluhi Lemoore, CA, USA |
August 31, 2017 | 160 days |
|
Kunitskaya vacated title on February 7, 2018 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
4 | ![]() def. Katharina Lehner |
Invicta FC 29: Kaufman vs. Lehner Kansas City, MO, USA |
May 4, 2018 | 368 days |
|
Kaufman vacated title on May 9, 2019 to sign with the PFL. | |||||
5 | ![]() def. Lisa Spangler |
Invicta FC Phoenix Series 3 Kansas City, KS, USA |
March 6, 2020 | 147 days |
|
Stoliarenko vacated title on July 31, 2020 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
6 | ![]() def. Lisa Spangler |
Invicta FC 44: A New Era Kansas City, KS, USA |
August 27, 2021 | 121 days (incumbent) |
Flyweight Championship[]
- 116 to 125 lbs (53 to 56 kg)
No. | Name | Event | Date | Reign | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Vanessa Porto |
Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson Kansas City, MO, USA |
April 5, 2013 | 1266 days |
1. def. Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 7 on Dec 7, 2013 2. def. Takayo Hashi at Invicta FC 9 on Nov 1, 2014 |
- | ![]() def. Vanessa Porto for interim title |
Invicta FC 16: Hamasaki vs. Brown Las Vegas, NV, USA |
March 11, 2016 | - | |
Honchak was stripped of the title due to inactivity on September 22, 2016 | |||||
2 | ![]() promoted to undisputed champion |
Invicta FC 19: Maia vs. Modafferi Kansas City, MO, USA |
September 22, 2016 | 652 days |
1. def. Roxanne Modafferi at Invicta FC 19 on Sept 23, 2016 2. def. Agnieszka Niedźwiedź at Invicta FC 26 on Dec 8, 2017 |
Maia vacated title on July 7, 2018 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
3 | ![]() def. Pearl Gonzalez |
Invicta FC 34: Porto vs. Gonzalez Kansas City, MO, USA |
February 15, 2019 | 564 days |
|
Porto vacated title on September 2, 2020 to sign with Bellator MMA. | |||||
4 | ![]() def. Daiana Torquato |
Invicta FC: Rodríguez vs. Torquato Kansas City, KS, USA |
May 21, 2021 | 219 days (incumbent) |
Strawweight Championship[]
- 106 to 115 lbs (49 to 52 kg)
No. | Name | Event | Date | Reign | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Bec Hyatt |
Invicta FC 4: Esparza vs. Hyatt Kansas City, KS, USA |
January 5, 2013 | 341 days | |
Esparza vacated title on December 11, 2013 to participate in The Ultimate Fighter: A Champion Will Be Crowned.[19][20] | |||||
2 | ![]() def. Stephanie Eggink |
Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada Kansas City, MO, USA |
September 6, 2014 | 230 days | |
3 | ![]() |
Invicta FC 12: Kankaanpää vs. Souza Kansas City, MO, USA |
April 24, 2015 | 380 days | 1. def. DeAnna Bennett at Invicta FC 15 on Jan 16, 2016 |
4 | ![]() |
Invicta FC 17: Evinger vs. Schneider Costa Mesa, CA, USA |
May 7, 2016 | 274 days |
1. def. Kaline Medeiros at Invicta FC 20 on Nov 18, 2016 |
Hill vacated title on February 4, 2017 to return to the UFC. | |||||
5 | ![]() def. Mizuki Inoue |
Invicta FC 28: Mizuki vs. Jandiroba Salt Lake City, UT, USA |
March 24, 2018 | 379 days |
1. def. Janaisa Morandin at Invicta FC 31 on Sep 1, 2018 |
Jandiroba vacated title on April 7, 2019 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
6 | ![]() def. Kailin Curran |
Phoenix Series 1 Kansas City, KS, USA |
May 3, 2019 | 39 days |
|
Van Buren vacated title on June 11, 2019 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
7 | ![]() def. Emily Ducote |
Invicta FC 38: Murata vs. Ducote Kansas City, KS, USA |
November 1, 2019 | 305 days |
|
Murata vacated title on September 2, 2020 to sign with the UFC. | |||||
8 | ![]() def. Danielle Taylor |
Invicta FC 44: A New Era Kansas City, KS, USA |
August 27, 2021 | 121 days (incumbent) |
Atomweight Championship[]
- 96 to 105 lbs (44 to 48 kg)
No. | Name | Event | Date | Reign | Defenses |
---|---|---|---|---|---|
1 | ![]() def. Naho Sugiyama |
Invicta FC 3: Penne vs. Sugiyama Kansas City, KS, USA |
October 6, 2012 | 181 days | |
2 | ![]() |
Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson Kansas City, MO, USA |
April 5, 2013 | 609 days | 1. def. Yasuko Tamada at Invicta FC 8 on Sept 6, 2014 |
3 | ![]() |
Invicta FC 10: Waterson vs. Tiburcio Houston, Texas, USA |
December 5, 2014 | 216 days | |
4 | ![]() |
Invicta FC 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
July 9, 2015 | 737 days | 1. def. Amber Brown at Invicta FC 16 on Mar 11, 2016 2. def. Jinh Yu Frey at Invicta FC 19 on Sept 23, 2016 |
Hamasaki vacated title on July 15, 2017 to sign with Rizin. | |||||
5 | ![]() def. Minna Grusander |
Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander Kansas City, MO, USA |
July 21, 2018 | 564 days |
1. def. Minna Grusander at Invicta FC 33 on Dec 16, 2018 |
Frey was stripped of the title on February 6, 2020 after failing to make weight against Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 39. | |||||
6 | ![]() def. Ashley Cummins |
Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella Kansas City, MO, USA |
September 17, 2020 | 465 days (incumbent) |
1. def. Jéssica Delboni at Invicta FC 44 on May 21, 2021 |
Records[]
Most wins in title bouts[]
Title wins | Champion | Division | V | D | NC | L |
---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
4 | ![]() |
Featherweight | 4 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
3 | ![]() |
Flyweight | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
![]() |
Atomweight | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 | |
![]() |
Flyweight | 3 | 0 | 0 | 0 |
Most consecutive title defenses[]
Defenses | Champion | Division | Period |
---|---|---|---|
3 | ![]() |
Featherweight | July 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.
Country | Division champions |
Interim champions |
Total |
---|---|---|---|
![]() |
11 | - | 11 |
![]() |
6 | - | 6 |
![]() |
2 | - | 2 |
![]() |
2 | - | 2 |
![]() |
1 | - | 1 |
![]() |
1 | - | 1 |
![]() |
1 | - | 1 |
![]() |
1 | - | 1 |
See also[]
- List of current Invicta FC fighters
- List of current mixed martial arts champions
- List of Bellator MMA champions
- List of EliteXC champions
- List of ONE Championship champions
- List of Pride champions
- List of PFL champions
- List of Strikeforce champions
- List of UFC champions
- List of WEC champions
- Mixed martial arts weight classes
References[]
- ^ "Invicta Fighting Championships, about". 2012. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ a b Paligaru, Matt (2012-03-24). "Shannon Knapp reveals how Invicta FC came together and what it means for women's MMA". United Kingdom: Fighters.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Invicta FC sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment, events to air on AXS TV". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ Adams, Jason (2012-03-21). "Janet Martin Interview". United States: Promoting Real Women blog. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Saccaro, Matt (2012-04-26). "Invicta FC's Shannon Knapp Talks Providing 'Better Life for the Athletes'". MMA. United States: Bleacher Report. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Hunt, Loretta (2012-04-27). "Invicta, new women's-only MMA series, was long time coming". Inside MMA. United States: SI.com. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ a b "Marloes Coenen, Romy Ruyssen Headline Invicta Fighting Championships' All-Female Card". News. United States: Sherdog.com. 2012-02-20. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "As debut nears, Invicta's Randi Miller not interested in Ronda Rousey's 'easy road'". News. United States: MMAjunkie.com. 2012-04-09. Archived from the original on 2012-06-05. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ Ragsdale, Cheryl (2012-04-27). "Two Firsts: Ronda Rousey Joins TUF Live, Esther Lin Photographs Invicta Female Fighters". News. United States: Yahoo!. Retrieved 2012-06-15.
- ^ "Invicta Fighting and JEWELS Form Strategic Partnership for Women's MMA". Articles. MMAWeekly.com. 2012-08-29. Retrieved 2012-06-09.
- ^ "Super Fight League to Develop Women's MMA Talent". mmapundit.co.uk. September 24, 2012. Retrieved September 24, 2012.
- ^ "Invicta FC 6 to air on cable and satellite pay-per-view in U.S. and Canada". MMAjunkie.
- ^ Shaun Al-Shatti (10 July 2014). "Invicta FC 8: Waterson vs. Tamada set for UFC Fight Pass debut". MMA Fighting.
- ^ "Combate transmite ao vivo defesa de título de Cris Cyborg no Invicta FC 11". sportv.globo.com/site/combate.
- ^ "Invicta women's MMA promotion sold to Anthem". ESPN.com. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-05-12.
- ^ "Invicta FC sold to Anthem Sports & Entertainment, events to air on AXS TV". MMA Junkie. 2021-04-15. Retrieved 2021-04-16.
- ^ "NSAC Regulations: CHAPTER 467 - UNARMED COMBAT". Nevada State Athletic Commission. Retrieved February 8, 2012.
- ^ "INVICTA FIGHTING CHAMPIONSHIPS". Sherdog.com. Retrieved 29 August 2012.
- ^ Simon, Zane (2013-12-11). "UFC announces signing of 11 women strawweights for TUF season, winner becomes first UFC 115lb champ". United States: Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
- ^ "Invicta FC Strawweight title vacated". United States: Twitter. Retrieved 2013-12-13.
External links[]
- Invicta Fighting Championship
- 2012 establishments in North Carolina
- Sports organizations established in 2012
- Mixed martial arts organizations
- Women's mixed martial arts
- 2021 mergers and acquisitions