One of MMA’s final events of the summer season takes place in Kansas this Friday night. Following the Cage Warriors 177 main event to kick off the day’s activities, the scene shifts to the United States, specifically Memorial Hall in Kansas City. Less than three months removed from the arena playing host to Invicta FC 55, Shannon Knapp‘s promotion returns for Invicta FC 57.
Live coverage begins with the undercard at 7 pm ET/ 4 pm PT on YouTube and Facebook before shifting over to CBS Sports Network for main card action at 9 pm ET/ 6 pm PT. One note: Although CBS Sports Network is accessible on cable providers in Canada, the deal between the promotion and network is for United States customers only.
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In Canada, Invicta FC 57 will be accessible to viewers on Fight Network. It’ll be a special evening for Knapp and the promotion. During the Friday night program, Invicta will hold its 500th lifetime contest.
Vacant Atomweight Gold at Stake in Invicta FC 57 Main Event Friday in Kansas City
All told, barring any adjustments to the bout order between now and fight night, the final version of Invicta FC 57 will feature eight MMA bouts inside Memorial Hall. Highlighting the night’s activities is a title fight at 105 lbs.
The Vacant Invicta FC Atomweight Championship is on the line when Elisandra Ferreira (7-2 MMA, 3-0 Invicta) battles Andressa Romero (7-4-1 MMA, 1-0 Invicta.) Its winner will succeed former atomweight champion Rayanne dos Santos, who relinquished the strap 11 months ago in order to join the UFC’s active roster.
In addition, the victor of the headliner will become the 10th different woman to earn the atomweight championship. As with all Invicta title fights, the Invicta FC 57 main event will be an advertised maximum of five rounds at five minutes per round to close the show.
Invicta FC 57 Main Event Fighter Comparison
Heading into the Invicta FC 57 main event on Friday night, Andressa Romero stands as the taller competitor at 5-foot-2, compared to the 5-foot-1 frame of Elisandra Ferreira. The former owns a 59.4-inch reach, with no such information accessible for the latter.
Currently, the oddsmakers have yet to release money lines for Invicta FC 57 on Friday. If you plan on betting on this or any other fight happening in MMA this weekend, please wager responsibly.
Ferreira Hungry for Title Ahead of Invicta FC 57 Main Event
Elisandra Ferreira enters the Invicta FC 57 main event on Friday night having posted a record of 4-1 in her last five fights. Currently, she’s won three contests in succession.
Back on June 28, Ferreira bested Katie Saull (6-7 MMA, 1-4 Invicta) by unanimous decision during Invicta FC 55 from Memorial Hall. After the fight, she discussed what it was like facing Saull in an interview with Megan Anderson.
“I knew that it was a hard fight,” Ferreira said, through her translator. “She is very aggressive on the ground, but I don’t choose fights. Who comes [to fight me], I’ll fight.”
Ferreira then advocated for a shot at the 105-lb. strap. On Friday, she’ll get her wish, but will she walk away as the 10th champion at atomweight in Invicta FC history?
Romero Eager to Stay in Win Column
In the other corner, Andressa Romero enters Friday night’s main event having gone 2-2-1 in her last five fights. Much like Ferreira, she also fought during Invicta FC 55, winning a unanimous decision over Saori Oshima (14-5 MMA, 0-1 Invicta) after three rounds.
After the fight, Romero made her intentions for her next fight crystal clear:
“The belt is mine,” she said to the crowd and the viewers watching on TV. As the interview with Megan Anderson neared its end, she advocated for the promotion to give her the best adversary in the division to fight for the belt.
In August, Romero and Ferreira were booked to fight one another for the title. What will happen once the cage doors close on Friday night? Only time will tell.
Analysis, Film Study, and Prediction
The Invicta FC 57 main event looks to be another strength versus strength affair. Who takes the belt?
Ferreira Can Take Control of the Fight
Elisandra Ferreira’s key to victory in the Invicta FC 57 main event: Get an opening and do some damage. One need look no further than the tape of her fight vs. Flor Hernandez last year.
During the first round, Ferreira and Hernandez traded strikes but the former became the aggressor thanks to a takedown. From there, she went into cruise control, save for a momentary reversal by her opponent, landing ground and pound shots throughout the rest of the round, bloodying Hernandez.
While her adversary fought off a submission attempt late in the round, Ferreira’s effort in the opening five minutes of the contest played a huge role in giving her the win on the scorecards after three rounds.
If Elisandra Ferreira drops Andressa Romero early in the fight, she’ll seize the momentum of the Invicta FC 57 main event.
Romero’s Ground Defense Could Tell the Tale
In the other corner, Andressa Romero has a decent ground game in her own right, but it’s her defensive skillset that may prove to be the difference-maker here, like it was against Saori Oshima in June. While Romero had Oshima in the clinch during round one, “Little Giant” reversed positions after a takedown and efforted a kimura.
Even though Romero secured top mount, it was only brief as Oshima reversed positions again, but Romero’s defense proved to be too tough as the round progressed, eventually taking top position on the ground in round two, before landing some ground and pound shots later on in that period.
If Andressa Romero finds herself on the ground during the Invicta FC 57 main event, she’s got the tools to keep Elisandra Ferreira at bay.
Final Thoughts
This looks to be a fun scrap. If your plans for Friday night don’t include the Invicta FC 57 main event, they should now.
Prediction: Elisandra Ferreira by Unanimous Decision.
