December 19, 2024

UFC signs Invicta FC flyweight champion Jennifer Maia

Invicta FC champion Jennifer Maia has signed with the UFC.
 Invicta FC

The UFC has signed one of the top female flyweights in the world.

Invicta FC flyweight champion Jennifer Maia announced on her Instagram page that she has signed a deal with the promotion. A date and opponent for her debut has yet to be announced. Combate first reported the news.

Maia (15-4-1), who currently rides a six-fight winning streak, won the Invicta FC belt In March 2016 with a decision over Vanessa Porto, and successfully defended it twice against Roxane Modafferi and Agnieszka Niedzwiedz.

Maia told MMA Fighting earlier this month that she was close to signing with the UFC, and was willing to meet Valentina Shevchenko in her debut.

A fight with “Bullet” was offered by the UFC weeks before for UFC Belem on Feb. 3, but Maia was still recovering from her five-round win in December.

”My fighting style is not a strategic one,” Maia said of a potential clash with Shevchenko. “I prepare myself to be ready wherever I feel comfortable in the fight, but my background is muay thai so I’d fight her standing.

”If I feel any difficulties, since she’s a great striker, I’d take the fight to the ground. But I think it would be a good fight standing. I’d test myself first.”

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