Invicta will make its Houston debut on Dec. 5. But it will do so without Cris “Cyborg” Justino.
Justino, the former Strikeforce featherweight champion, was slated to return to action at Invicta 10, but had to pull out due to a rupture of the anterior talofibular ligament in her left ankle.
Invicta president Shannon Knapp indicated Saturday that Justino’s injury occurred three weeks ago, but the company decided to wait on the severity of the injury before making the change.
In Justino’s place, Invicta 10 will be headlined by “The Karate Hottie,” Michelle Waterson. Waterson (12-3) will defend her atomweight title against Brazil’s Herica Tiburcio (8-2).
Waterson, a Jackson’s MMA fighter, defeated Jessica Penne for the title in 2013, and made her first defense against Yasuko Tamada in September. Ten of her 12 wins have come by way of finish.
The 22-year-old Tiburcio has won three in a row. Six of her wins have come by way of submission.