InvictaFC 34 Preview Show Plus Weigh In Results

Photo Courtesy – Dave Mandel, Invicta FC

A busy fight weekend starts with InvictaFC Friday night on UFC Fight Pass.

The main event will fill the vacant flyweight title as Pearl Gonzalez (9-3) faces perennial contender Vanessa Porto (20-8).

The co-main and featured bouts are tournament semi-finals to find a contender for the main event winner. Milana Dudieva (12-7) and Karina Rodriguez (6-3) will take the co-main spot with DeAnna Bennett (9-4-1) vs. Miranda Maverick (4-1) as the featured fight.

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WMMath Podcast with Amateur Fighter Chelsea Rae

Having trained around the country and for the first time internationally, Chelsea Rae is looking to make an impression as she steps into the Tuff-n-uff cage February 22 in Las Vegas, and air on tape delay on BeInSports. We talked to Rae about her training camp and making one of her goals come true.

Valerie Loureda Ready to Show a New Side of Taekwondo

Taekwondo is not about points in MMA.

That is what Valerie Loureda is hoping to prove when she makes her Bellator debut this Saturday in Connecticut, which will air on Paramount Network and stream on DAZN. She will face Colby Fletcher in her professional debut.

WMMath Podcast with Amanda Bell and Amber Leibrock

Wombat Sports is back in the podcast game.

The new show has launched as “WMMath”, and will not only focus on interviews with fighters, but will breakdown numbers and highlight up and coming talent.

Juliana Velasquez Feels “Strong” About Title Chances; Defeating Lara

(Photo Courtesy Bellator)

It maybe the holiday season, but Juliana Velasquez isn’t focused on anything but the fight.

The undefeated Brazilian has taken the long trip to Hawaii to face former title challenger Alejandra Lara Friday night at Bellator 212 “Salute the Troops” event which will stream on DAZN. Both made weight for their bout.

We talked to Velasquez through a translator about her fight and the flyweight division.

In her match with Lara, Velasquez hopes to show how much the women’s divisions in Brazil has grown. Velasquez expressed she will have a strength advantage against Lara due to her training with men. 

A win over the former title challenger will most likely gain her the winner of Saturday’s match between Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and Valerie Letourneau. Velasquez tells us she is predicting the champ will retain her title.

Where does she think she stands in Bellator? Velasquez stated she feels she has a lot of experience in terms of training as a child in martial arts, which plays a part in her being one of the top fighters in the division.

When asked about what she will be doing after the fight to celebrate, she says she will concentrate on that after she gets the win.

 

2018 IMMAF World Championships (Results Updated Daily)

The best amateur talent are once again in Bahrain to see who are the best in the world.

The International MMA Federation is currently holding its World Championships with over 50 females from over a dozen countries vying for titles in six weight classes. Champions have went on to the pros to some of the top organizations on the planet.

We will be updating results throughout the week.

PFL and Kayla Harrison Call for Lightweights; Here are Our Picks

(Photo Courtesy Professional Fighters League) 

The Professional Fight League is in a unique position.

Having only one signed female fighter, Olympic Gold medalist in judo Kayla Harrison,  they also have only one female division – lightweight. There are a few promotions who have dabbled in the weight class, but no one has pulled the trigger on crowning a pro world champion.

Shannon Knapp on InvictaFC 33: Frey vs. Grusander II Had to Be Booked

Photo Courtesy Dave Mandel, Invicta FC

Invicta was ahead of the game as they announced their 33rd card for December 15th in Kansas City. We talked to InvictaFC president Shannon Knapp about the lead up to the event.

Being towards the end of the year, Invicta wanted to get ahead in terms of planning, and wanted its fans to have some leeway before the holiday travel rush. This also gave them an opportunity to start planning InvictaFC 34, which is slated for January in Kansas City.  Knapp told us to expect the vacant flyweight title to be filled on the card.

Janay Harding talks Striking Cross-training and Growth as a Fighter

(Photo Courtesy Bellator)

The Bellator featherweight division is still developing, and needs new title contenders.

Australia’s Janay Harding  is looking to get over .500 and get back on the winning track when she faces Irish striker Sinead Kavanagh Friday night in Uncasville, Connecticut. The match will stream on Bellator.com.

Future Stars: Autumn Gordon

It is becoming more and more common that girls are coming from the BJJ realm to wrestling and finding success.

In only a few years, Autumn Gordon has become one of the top girls in wrestling, having taken home the 2017 Junior Folkstyle National championship and became a qualifier for the US Senior World Team Trials. Not to mention she has been invited to train at the  U.S. Olympic Training Center. This after she won a IBJJF title.

The teenager signed to the University of the Cumberlands wrestling team and a possible run at the 2020 Olympics isn’t out of the question.

Future Star – Yanida Driscoll

Girls competing in combat sports isn’t only in the United States.

Europe continues to see more and more girls looking to make fighting a career. Great Britain’s Yanida Driscoll is no exception. The 11 year old has already won titles in kickboxing not only locally but in Europe. Her latest being WFMC British Ring Kickboxing Champion.

Training at Impact Karate just north of London, she is a black belt under Grant Nicholls.

DeAnna Bennett on Tuff-n-uff Bout; Getting Title Opportunities

Photo Courtesy – Dave Mandel/InvictaFC

DeAnna Bennett has had a rough few years, but she is back on track.

A solid camp behind her and a win at Invicta, she looks to continue her way to a title by defeating Kelly Kobold at Tuff-n-uff’s first all pro MMA event September  14th in Las Vegas.

We talked to Bennett about her return to the cage, the flyweight title picture, and finding a new training home.