Invicta FC 27 results and video: Sarah Kaufman batters Pannie Kianzad, calls for title shot

At the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, MO Invicta FC 27 delivered some fun fights and performances worthy of title shots in the near future.

Though it lacked the flurry of finishes we are accustomed to, last night’s Invicta FC 27: Kaufman vs. Kianzad card delivered an entertaining night of fights; with a number of results that will likely take the victors into title contention.

On a night where many veterans and established Invicta talents held firm against upstarts with raw talent, the main event saw promotional debutante Sarah Kaufman (19-4), the former Strikeforce women’s champion, put a beating on former Invicta bantamweight title challenger Pannie Kianzad (8-3).

Kaufman, a twelve year veteran whose only losses have come to UFC and Strikeforce champions and title challengers, was coming of a victory over Jessica-Rose Clark in Battlefield Fighting Championships in March 2017.

Against Kianzad (who missed weight by a couple of pounds), Kaufman’s wealth of experience was evident as she took apart the Iranian/Swedish fighter on the feet and smothered her against the fence.

In the opening round, Kaufman punished Kianzad on the inside with short punches and knees to the gut. Kianzad did look spy at first, attacking with kicks, but she slowed the more Kaufman’s clubbing blows landed.

In the second Kianzad tried to get herself going with a spinning attack and a nifty combo, but Kaufman’s pressure and clinch work put a stop to that. After exchanging knees against the fence, Kaufman dragged Kianzad to the ground with relative ease. Kianzad threw up submissions from her back, but Kaufman recognized them and defended well, landing strikes all the while.

In the third, Kaufman continued to land hard shots; including leg kicks that had Kianzad in some pain. Just like the rest of the fight, Kaufman was able to control most of the clinch-work, delivering short punches and knees. As the round wore on, it began looking like target-practice for the Canadian who gave the judges an easy job in determining a winner.

In the cage the victorious Kaufman asked for an immediate bantamweight title shot. The belt is currently held by Yana Kunitskaya, but it may become vacant since the Russian looks to be booked for a UFC fight in February. Either way it seems likely Kaufman, given the performance and her history, will get her wish.

In the co-main event Vanessa Porto also made a strong case for a title fight. After three minutes of feeling out Mariana Morais on the feet, Porto dragged her fellow Brazilian to the floor and wormed her way to the back. Morais defended her arm and neck for around a minute or so before Porto sunk in both hooks and secured the rear naked choke.

Elsewhere on the card Sharon Jacobson out-wrestled Ashley Nichols and Brogan Walker-Sanchez edged Cheri Muraski in fun/close fights. Ashley Cummins bossed Stephanie Alba and Felicia Spencer overwhelmed Akeela Al-Hameed on route to lopsided decisions. In doing so, Spencer — who remained undefeated — set herself up as a potential featherweight title contender.

There were TKO finishes for Mallory Martin and Helen Peralta, who looked very impressive in taking out Tiffany Masters and Jade Ripley respectively.

And Loma Lookboonmee, a 21-year-old Muay Thai phenom with 300 fights under her belt, dismantled Melissa Wang with pure Muay Thai techniques and submission attempts to secure a thrilling win in her pro MMA debut.

See the full results below, along with the finishes belonging to Porto, Martin, and Peralta:

Bantamweight: Sara Kaufman def. Pannie Kianzad via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Flyweight: Vanessa Porto def. Mariana Morais via submission (rear naked choke), Round 1 (4:19).

Strawweight: Sharon Jacobson def. Ashley Nicols via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28).

Atomweight: Ashley Cummins def. Stephanie Alba via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Flyweight: Brogan Walker-Sanchez def. Cheri Muraski via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

Featherweight: Felicia Spencer def. Akeela Al-Hameed via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

Strawweight: Mallory Martin def. Tiffany Masters via TKO (punches), Round 2 (3:36).

Atomweight: Loma Lookboonmee def. Melissa Wang via unanimous decision (29-27, 29-27, 29-26).

Strawweight: Helen Peralta def. Jade Ripley via TKO (punches), Round 1 (2:22)