A lot of familiar faces dot Invicta’s upcoming event, with most divisions getting sorted out in excellent matchups.
Invicta FC 35 is finally here with a handful of intriguing matches, but most importantly some fights with immediate divisional ramifications.
First up is the cherry on top, a main event rematch between former UFC fighter DeAnna Bennett (10-4, 1 draw) and Mexico’s Karina Rodriguez (7-3). Bennett’s found her groove with her new training environment with Mark Henry and company in New Jersey, and showed more crisp technique and a strong overall game in her last fight against hot prospect Miranda Maverick. The pair first faced each other in March of 2018, with Bennett earning a split decision nod, but Rodriguez bounced back with a win over Milana Dudieva this past Feburary.
Wrestling phenom Alesha Zappitella (5-0, 1 NC) continues to improve and run a hard pace in her fights, and now gets the biggest step up in her young career against former UFC fighter Viviane Pereira (13-3). Pereira has a respectable striking game and is not a slouch when it comes to submissions.
Japanese prospect Kanako Murata (9-1) graces the Invicta cage as well, having fought for Pancrase and RIZIN in the past. With an aggressive and confident wrestling approach, Murata has three submission wins in a row, including this beauty against Saray Orozco and the same maneuver against Angela Magana. Her opponent will be Brazil’s Liana Porosin (7-2), who will make her stateside debut.
Germany’s Katharina Lehner (7-1) is still putting in work over at Jackson/Winklejohn, and will be up against American Top Team’s surging prospect Lisa Spangler (3-0 pro, 9-1 amateur). Lehner’s been working on more than just her striking, while Spangler’s banking on heavy hits coupled with a well-rounded game.
Former matchmaker Kaitlin Young (9-9, 1 draw) came out of retirement and neutralized Reina Miura at RIZIN 12 last August, then went on to brutalize Sarah Patterson that November. Now she’s back to face New Zealand’s Faith McMah (formerly Van Duin, (6-3), a fellow striker with a slick submission game and opportunist tendencies.
Finally Monique Azevedo (4-1) has the unfortunate task of attempting to solve the riddle that is Thai powerhouse Loma Lookboonmee (2-1), who had a remarkable Invicta debut in January of 2018.
DeAnna Bennett (125.3) vs Karina Rodriguez (125.4) – Flyweight
Alesha Zappitella (106) vs Viviane Pereira (106.7)* – Atomweight
Kanako Murata (116) vs Liana Pirosin (115.8) – Strawweight
Katharina Lehner (135.4) vs Lisa Spangler (135.4) – Bantamweight
Kaitlin Young (145.8) vs Faith McMah (146.4)* – Featherweight
Chelsea Chandler (136) vs Brittney Victoria (134) – Bantamweight
Kelly D’Angelo (108.8)* vs Jillian DeCoursey (105.4) – Atomweight
Loma Lookboonmee (105.5) vs Monique Adriane (105.6) – Atomweight
Valerie Wong (114.5) vs Genia Goodin (114.3) – Strawweight
*Missed weight, will be fined 25%
Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs Rodriguez 2 takes place live from the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS this Friday night, starting at 8:00pm and streaming exclusively on UFC Fight Pass.