Pearl Gonzalez won three fights for Invicta FC in 2018. That has lead to a title shot against Vanessa Porto, with the vacant flyweight belt up for grabs at Invicta FC 34.
On Wednesday, Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp revealed the headliner for the promotion’s next event. Sharing a new event poster via Facebook, it appears the Invicta FC 34 headliner is in fact Vanessa Porto vs. Pearl Gonzalez, for the promotion’s flyweight title. Porto had previously revealed the news on social media, though no official announcement had been made. Following Knapp’s post, Invicta officials also distributed a press release announcing the fight, and additional bouts for the card.
Porto (20–8), who challenged for Invicta’s flyweight title in 2016 but came up short against Jennifer Maia, heads into the title bout on a two-fight winning streak. She’s coming off a victory over Mariana Morais at Invicta FC 27. Prior to that, she defeated former UFC fighter Milana Dudieva. Both fights resulted in finish wins for Porto, a rear-naked choke submission against Morais, and a body punch setting up the TKO against Dudieva.
Pearl Gonzalez, meanwhile, staged a healthy comeback in 2018. After exiting the UFC at 0-2 at strawweight, she is undefeated having returned to the flyweight division. Gonzalez (9–3) has won three straight under the Invicta banner, earning her the shot against Porto for the promotion’s vacant flyweight title.
Invicta FC 34 is set to take place February 15 at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, MO. The following bouts have been announced for the card:
Flyweight Title Bout: Vanessa Porto vs. Pearl Gonzalez
Flyweight Tournament Semifinal Bout: Milana Dudieva vs. Brogan Walker-Sanchez
Flyweight Tournament Semifinal Bout: DeAnna Bennett vs. Miranda Maverick
Flyweight Bout: Tracy Cortez vs. Karina Rodriguez
Featherweight Bout: Faith McMah vs. Helena Kolesnyk
