Invicta is back and bringing one of the best female fighters in the sport with them. Cyborg returns to the cage against unheralded opposition, but the card also features a surging Mexican prospect, the Brazilian who beat Michelle Waterson, Ronda Rousey’s training partner and much more.
What: Invicta 13: Cyborg vs. Van Duin
Where: Cosmopolitan of Las Vegas, Las Vegas, Nevada
When: Thursday, the seven-fight Fight Pass card starts at 11:00 p.m. ET.
Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino vs. Faith Van Duin
Yeah, this one’s probably going to be a reasonably quick beating. Van Duin attacks with a measured pace and her punches lack real zip. Her kicking game seems to exist only to compliment her hands, which is fine, generally, but it’s not exactly something we can look to when matched up against Cyborg. Expect the Brazilian to close the distance, unload with a heavy punching combo and close the show quickly thereafter.
Pick: Cyborg
Tonya Evinger vs. Irene Aldana
Evinger is probably the better wrestler, but Aldana’s offensive hustle should make up the difference. Aldana’s pop from kicking range is legit, her hand speed is fantastic and while her takedown defense isn’t amazing, a) it’s probably good enough to keep Evinger from getting everything she wants and b) her guard work is active as well. Aldana might struggle with positional control, but the proactive and ever-present nature of her striking offense will eventually wear Evinger down.
Pick: Aldana
Herica Tiburcio vs. Ayaka Hamasaki
Generally speaking, Hamasaki is a well-rounded fighter with decent abilities everywhere. Where she excels is takedowns from the clinch. Her array of uchi matas, osoto garis and harai goshis is nothing to ignore. Still, once she gets you there, her ground and pound isn’t particularly special, nor is her guard passing. On the feet she uses a lot of movement, but only lands one or two punches at a time. Against Tiburcio, I’m not sure this will work. Tiburcio is still a work in progress, but is ultra crafty on the ground, much better and scrambling or positional advancement and generally takes more risks. Against a more risk averse opponent, that should be enough to get the job done.
Pick: Tiburcio
Pannie Kianzad vs. Jessica-Rose Clark
I absolutely like Kianzad’s chances here. She’s an aggressive striker, moves forward with her feet very quickly, is heavy handed with very strong hips and most importantly, loves to bully opposition. That style has its costs against more seasoned or elite competition, but I’m not sure that’s what we’re in for in this fight.
Pick: Kianzad
Amber Brown vs. Catherine Costigan
This one is fairly equal with Brown possibly having the takedown edge, but I like Costigan to win here. She’s significantly more dynamic on the feet, adapts to opposition in the middle of the round, has offense at distance and in close quarters when striking and more. Brown might stall her out, but if they exchange, I like Costigan’s chances.
Pick: Costigan
Amy Montenegro vs. Jamie Moyle
Moyle can counterfight and counterstrike, generally, while baiting opposition in. I suspect Montenegro is going to want to bully forward, which is where Moyle’s lateral movement and overhand right will serve her well. Moyle’s hand speed, too, is something that should help, especially given how their offenses might play off of one another.
Pick: Moyle
Marina Shafir vs. Amber Leibrock
Shafir is just a remarkably better athlete and more skilled grappler. Provided something unusual doesn’t happen (this is MMA, after all), expect Shafir to cruise very easily.
Pick: Shafir