Invicta FC opens up the new year with an action-packed Invicta FC 45 card in Kansas City, Kansas, and MMA Sucka will bring fight fans live coverage the whole night.
In the headliner, Invicta FC atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella (9-2) defends her strap against Jessica Delboni (11-3) for the second time in just over six months. Zappitella edged out a split decision victory in the first scrap. The 26-year-old is known as one of the best atomweights on the planet and is riding a four-fight win streak heading into her eighth promotional appearance. Although she is known for her grappling prowess, she has solid hands to compliment it. Zappitella does her training at Scorpio Fighting System in Michigan, however, she spent some time at Strongstyle MMA and Knoxville MMA preparing for this bout. The Ohio-born Jiu-Jitsu purple belt is quality wherever the fight goes, so expect her to be ready for war.
Brazil’s Jessica Delboni earns her second shot at the champ after winning the Invicta FC Atomweight Phoenix Tournament back in June. The Jiu-Jitsu brown belt is crafty on the ground, but she is talented on the feet, being a Taekwondo black belt. In her first bout with the champ, she displayed fast hands, solid combos, and a gas tank that seemed interminable. Delboni does her training at Parana Vale Tudo with coach Gilliard Parana. She is also cornered by former UFC strawweight champion, Jessica Andrade. In an extremely high-level MMA bout, tune in for this one, as it will be all action.
Co-headlining the card is a catchweight bout at 150lbs between Syndicate MMA’s Ramona Pascual (5-2), and Marvel My Fitness’s Shamir Peshewa (2-0). Pascual is a veteran of seven pro bouts and will be making her Invicta FC debut tonight. The 33-year-old gets reps in daily with the likes of Sarah Kaufman, Genah Fabian, and Joanne Wood and has won three straight bouts dating back to 2017. Pascual has finishes in four of her five wins, including three by way of knockout. She was originally slated to take on Courtney King tonight, however, King was forced out and Peshewa stepped in on a few days’ notice. Tennessee native Peshewa makes her promotional debut and first walk to the cage in over two and a half years tonight. She earned her first career finish back in April of 2019, as she TKO’d Gina Elliott. The 36-year-old spent her time off sharpening her skills and growing her gym. Overall, this will be a tough fight between two veteran martial artists.
Also on the card are BKFC veteran Helen Peralta (4-2), versatile striker Hailey Cowan (5-2), and Syndicate MMA’s Tamika Jones (1-0).
Invicta FC 45 Results
Main Card (8pm ET/5pm PT on Invicta FC YouTube)
Jessica Delboni (12-3) def. Alesha Zappitella (9-3) via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 50-45, 49-46) to earn the Invicta FC atomweight championship
Ramona Pascual (6-2) def. Shamir Peshewa (2-1) via TKO at 1:00 of Round 1.
Hailey Cowan (6-2) def. Monica Franco (2-1) via Submission (Rear-naked choke) at 3:17 of Round 2.
Helen Peralta (5-2) def. Elise Pone (1-1) via Unanimous Decision (30-25, 30-25, 30-26)
Katie Saull (4-5) def. Tamika Jones (1-1) via Submission (Armbar) at 4:30 of Round 1.
Sarah Kleczka (3-3) def. Maria Jose Favela (2-2) via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).
