Ayaka Hamasaki
Invicta FC returns next month to Las Vegas for a championship double-header with atomweight and flyweight titles on the line. But this time, the promotion has its own weekend.
After Invicta FC 13 piggybacked on this past July’s blockbuster UFC 189 event, Invicta FC 16 hits Sin City on March 11, a week after UFC 196 on March 5.
Trindad Pavilion at Tropicana Las Vegas hosts the UFC Fight Pass-streamed card.
In the atomweight division, former Jewels champ Ayaka Hamasaki (12-1) attempts her first Invicta title defense opposite Amber Brown (6-1), who’s won her past four including three straight bouts in the promotion.
In the flyweight division, an interim title bout between Vanessa Porto (18-6) and Jennifer Maia (12-4-1) co-headlines the event. Both have won their past three fights. Porto is coming off recent wins over ex-Bellator champ Zoila Frausto and UFC vet Roxanne Modafferi while Maia has won three on the regional Brazilian circuit.
According to Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp, the interim flyweight bout was proposed by current champ Barb Honchak (10-2), who told the promotion she didn’t want to hold up the title after relocating from Missouri to the Pacific Northwest. It’s unclear when Honchak will return to defend the belt.
Additionally, strawweight prospect Alexa Grasso (7-0), who’s courted UFC interest as a potential signee, takes on Stephanie Eggink (4-2).
The full card for Invicta FC 16 includes:
- Champ Ayaka Hamasaki vs. Amber Brown – for atomweight title
- Vanessa Porto vs. Jennifer Maia – for interim flyweight title
- Stephanie Eggink vs. Alexa Grasso
- Irene Aldana vs. Jessamyn Duke
- DeAnna Bennett vs. Roxanne Modaferri
- Jinh Yu Frey vs. Herica Tiburcio
- Sarah D’Alelio vs. Andrea Lee
- Andrea Kelly McGill vs. Amberlynn Orr
- Sarah Click vs. Ashley Greenway
For more on Invicta FC 16, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.
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