When the topic of women’s fighting comes up, the first name mentioned is Ronda Rousey. The second is Cristiane “Cyborg” Santos, who’s unwillingness to cut to 135lbs is the major roadblock in that dream fight becoming a reality.
Cyborg’s performance Saturday night might further delay that match-up, as she demolished a game but over-matched Fiona Muxlow, dominating from the opening bell and forcing referee John McCarthy to stop the fight at 3:46 in the first round.
There was no mention of Rousey after the fight by Cyborg, but it was announced that Cyborg would take on Marloes Coenen in a rematch for the Invicta FC featherweight championship in June. Barring something drastically changing, the most anticipated fight in the young history of women’s mixed martial arts will have to wait.
Michelle Waterson stops Jessica Penne to win atomweight title
Michelle Waterson will be known for more than just being the “karate hottie” as now she can add Invicta FC atom weight champion to her title. Jessica Penne closed a 5 to 1 favorite to retain her title, but this fight was far from one sided as both women displayed a tremendous ground game, both having their moments throughout the fight. Even on most cards going into the third round, Penne took control on the ground getting back mount and pounding away at Waterson, then almost finishing the fight with an armbar that was very tight. Waterson was able to escape, and in the fourth round caught the champion in an armbar of her own, becoming the new champion.
Barb Honchak becomes first Invicta flyweight champion
In the co-main event of the evening, Barb Honchak used superior striking to defeat Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision to take the inaugural Invicta FC flyweight championship. In a fight that was contested mostly on the feet, Honchak was able to land the more powerful shots against Porto, who’s snapping leg kicks kept the new champion on her toes. In the end after five rounds of a grueling striking battle, Honchak swept the judge’s scorecards 50-45, 49-46, 48-47.
Overall it was a great night of fights for Invicta FC’s fifth effort which even saw a flying armbar pulled off by Rose Namajunas in just twelve seconds into the second fight of the evening. With no streaming issues to report and a future headliner featuring the Cyborg/Coenen rematch Invicta FC should be able to build on its incredible momentum heading into their sixth offering in June.
The nights full results are listed below:
Main Card:
Michelle Waterson def. Jessica Penne via submission (armbar) – Round 4, 2:31
Barb Honchak def. Vanessa Porto via unanimous decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47)
Cris Cyborg def. Fiona Muxlow via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 3:46
Sarah Kaufman def. Leslie Smith via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Jennifer Maia def. Zoila Frausto Gurgel via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Lauren Taylor def. Kaitlin Young via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Julia Budd def. Mollie Estes via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3 1:04
Bec Hyatt def. Jasminka Cive via submission (armbar)- Round 1, 3:30
Preliminary Card:
Simona Soukupova def. Cassie Rodish via submission (guillotine choke) – Round 1, 3:20
Miriam Nakamoto def. Jessamyn Duke via knockout (knee) – Round 1, 2:20
Katja Kankaanpaa def. Juliana Carneiro Lima via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28).
Rose Namajunas def. Kathina Catron via submission (flying armbar) – Round 1, 0:12
Alex Chambers def. Jodie Esquibel via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 1:35