Could this be the best card they’ve put together to date? It really could be.
This Friday, Invicta FC has another must-watch event with what perhaps their most well-matched card in the organization’s existence.
Perhaps that sounds like hyperbole, but the stylistic matchups should ensure that there are plenty of action bouts, especially in the more divisionally consequential fights near the top of the card. This card is also notable for not having any fighters making professional debuts, as well as having a handful of fighters with considerable amateur experience.
Former atomweight title contender Amber Brown (6-3) returns to strawweight to take on Ashley Cummins (4-3), who returns to Invicta after a submission win at Bellator 157. This will be Cummins’ first fight in Invicta since 2014, when she had a stint as a contestant on The Ultimate Fighter.
Another former atomweight contender will be returning for this card as well, as Jinh Yu Frey (5-2) returns to action after a very controversial stoppage loss at Invicta FC 19 to Ayaka Hamasaki. Instead of an immediate rematch, she’ll be taking on undefeated Brazilian newcomer Janaisa Morandin (9-0). This will be Morandin’s first fight outside of Brazil, and she faces a tough task against a very resilient hard-hitter in Frey.
(Update: this bout was scratched after Morandin missed weight by over five pounds.)
Jackson-Winklejohn staple Jodie Esquibel (5-2) also returns to take on Invicta veteran DeAnna Bennett (8-2), while former champions collide as Livia Renata Souza (9-1) attempts to bounce back from her loss to current UFC talent Angela Hill last May by taking on Ayaka Hamasaki (14-1). Hamasaki has gone undefeated since 2013, which was her lone loss to current UFC fighter Claudia Gadelha. She’s defeated a who’s who of high-level Japanese and international talent and will face a rangy striker with a lethal ground game in Souza.
In the main event, bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger will attempt to make things right as she faces Russian contender Yana Kunitskaya in a rematch from last November at Invicta FC 20. Kunitskaya scored a massive upset by applying an armbar from bottom on Evinger, but Evinger defended by placing her foot on Kunitskaya’s face and pushing off. The perfectly legal move earned her a warning from referee Mike England and led to Evinger submitting since she could not use a tactic that was well within the ruleset. This led to the ensuing tap and eventually the win was overturned to a no-contest. Now Evinger will defend her title again against a very crafty opponent, and perhaps have some more insight as to what kind of tricks Kunistskaya may have up her sleeve.
Invicta FC 22: Evinger vs Kunitskaya 2 takes place this Saturday night at the Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, MO, and will be streamed live via UFC Fight Pass.
The 8-fight card begins at 8:00pm EST.
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