December 24, 2024

Invicta FC announces flurry of signings, including Pearl Gonzalez

Pearl Gonzalez
Esther Lin, MMA Fighting

Invicta FC is reloading for 2018.

The all-female promotion announced the signing of 15 fighters on Thursday, including UFC veterans Sarah Kaufman (18-4, 1 NC) and strawweight Pearl Gonzalez (6-3). Kaufman’s signing was previously confirmed by MMA Fighting.

Gonzalez competed twice in the UFC, losing a short-notice fight to Cynthia Calvillo and then dropping a unanimous decision to Poliana Botelho. The bout with Calvillo at UFC 210 back in April brought Gonzalez some unexpected attention after she was initially pulled from the event on the day of the weigh-ins due to the New York State Athletic Commission ruling that she could not compete with breast implants (the decision was later reversed when Gonzalez’s doctor spoke to the commission).

Kaufman isn’t the only newcomer of note in the bantamweight division. Marceia Allen (6-2) enters the Invicta ranks on the strength of a three-fight winning streak that includes victories over Carina Damm and one-time Strikeforce title challenger Jan Finney, and undefeated Julia Avila Shumate (3-0) boasts wins over current UFC flyweight champion Nicco Montano and veteran Marion Reneau.

See below for the complete list of signings announced by Invicta:

Bantamweight

Sarah Kaufman
Marceia Allen
Julia Avila Shumate
Kerri Kenneson
Allison Schmidt
Chelsea Chandler

Flyweight

Bianca Daimoni
Brogan Sanchez
Monica Medina
Helen Peralta

Strawweight

Pearl Gonzalez
Ashley Nichols

Atomweight

Loma Lookboonmee
Fernanda Priscila
Rebekah LeVine

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