Pearl Gonzalez and Vanessa Porto topped the card as flyweights took center stage at Invicta FC 34.
On Friday night, Invicta FC kicked off its 2019 slate of events with Invicta FC 34. Going down in Kansas City, Kansas, the event was topped by a women’s flyweight title fight, with Vanessa Porto taking on fan favorite Pearl Gonzalez.
Gonzalez (9-3) had quickly become a star for Invicta FC after joining the promotion following a tough run in the UFC. An 0-2 skid there, however, turned into a three fight win streak with Invicta, all in 2018. Vanessa Porto, however was a considerable step up in competition for Pearl. At 20-8, the Brazilian had fought for flyweight gold in Invicta twice before, coming up short against Jennifer Maia for the interim title in 2016, and against Barb Honchak in 2013.
With the vacant title on the line, could the third time be the charm for Porto? Or would Pearl’s run continue in Kansas City?
Also on the Invicta FC 34 card, two flyweight tournament semi-final bouts, with the winner of each facing off later in the year for the next title shot.
Caitlin Sammons vs. Christina Ricker
In the opening bout of Invicta FC 34 at flyweight, Caitlin Sammons took Christina Ricker to the second round, but no further. Both women were active to start, landing low kicks and getting into the clinch. Sammons scored a big slam takedown early in the first. Sammons had the arm of her opponent trapped, with Ricker trying to climb to her feet in vain. Sammons looked for an armbar as Ricker rolled to her back. Close, but she couldn’t get the armbar, and we went to round two.
Sammons landed some solid counter rights to start the round, and Ricker was then hurt by a kick to the body. She turtled up, and Sammons was in for the kill!
Caitlin Sammons def. Christina Ricker by TKO, Round 2, 3:02
Courtney King vs. Holli Salazar
Holli Logan came out landing some big right hands and leg kicks early in the first round of the first of two featherweight fights on the Invicta FC 34 card. However Courtney King kept moving forward, and eventually got the clinch and takedown late in round one. In the second round it was all King, threatening with submissions and landing ground and pound. Eventually Logan gave up her back and King looked for the rear-naked choke. Soon enough, she got it.
Courtney King def. Holli Logan via submission (rear-naked-choke), Round 2, 4:46
Victoria Leonardo vs. Jamie Milanowski
Back to flyweight action. Jamie Milanowski starts the fight with a big slam takedown but is almost immediately reversed as Leonardo gets to her feet. Leonardo then lands some good hammerfists and Jamie gives up her back, Leonardo looks for the rear naked choke and that is it!
Tracy Cortez vs. Erin Blanchfield
In a Close fight between Tracy Cortez and Erin Blanchfield, Cortez found a lot of success with her clinch game as well as success in scrambles and good top control. However Blanchfield had success of her own with her submission attempts, with almost the entire first and third rounds appearing to be her attempting subs. Despite that, it appeared that the judges valued Cortez’s defensive grappling more as she took the split decision nod.
Tracy Cortez def. Erin Blanchfield by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
DeAnna Bennett vs. Miranda Maverick
The first of two flyweight tournament semi-finals saw a close fight between Miranda Maverick and DeAnna Bennett unfold. Bennett used her superior grappling to control the clinch and looked for submissions, almost securing a choke in round two. However Maverick looked solid on the feet, pushing the pace and landing some nice kicks. In the end the judges valued Bennett’s work more as she was awarded the unanimous decision victory. TUF alum Bennett will now move on to face the winner of the night’s other semi-final at a later date.
DeAnna Bennett def. Miranda Maverick by decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Milana Dudieva vs. Karina Rodriguez
Milana Dudieva and Karina Rodriguez put on what was likely the fight of the night at Invicta FC 34. Milana rocked Karina in the waning seconds of round one. Karina nearly finished Milana in the final seconds of round two, then round three was the deciding round as both found success. Milana managed a the takedown in the final seconds, which might have played a factor. But as they went to the judges decision, Karina Rodriguez’s standup work factored significantly as she picked up the decision win and moved to the finals against DeAnna Bennett.
Karina Rodriguez defeat Milana Dudieva by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Pearl Gonzalez vs. Vanessa Porto
Pearl Gonzalez coronation as Invicta FC’s Queen will have to wait. Following a tough first three rounds where Gonzalez was surely down, Vanessa Porto landed some amazing leg kicks and was muscling her way around the clinch and using her grappling skillfully. In rounds two and three especially, as she even dropped Gonzalez with a leg kick in the second frame.
However in the fourth round Gonzalez began coming back, landing some nice combinations and keeping the fight on the feet. However halfway through the fourth round Gonzalez accidentally poked Porto’s eye as Gonzalez threw a kick and Porto ducked in. The foul was unintentional, however as we were through the fourth round the Kansas state athletic commission decided to call it a technical decision. With that decision, bad eye and all, Vanessa Porto was the new Invicta FC flyweight champion. Not the way she wanted it, but Vanessa Porto is now champion of the flyweights.
Vanessa Porto def. Pearl Gonzalez via technical decision (40-36, 39-37, 39-37)
Invicta FC 34 Results:
Vanessa Porto def. Pearl Gonzalez via technical decision (40-36, 39-37, 39-37) – for the vacant Invicta FC flyweight championship
Karina Rodriguez defeat Milana Dudieva by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)l – flyweight tournament semi-final
DeAnna Bennett def. Miranda Maverick by decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) – flyweight tournament semi-final
Tracy Cortez def. Erin Blanchfield by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Victoria Leonardo def. Jamie Milanowksi by submission (rear naked choke), Round 1, 2:45
Courtney King def. Holli Logan by submission (rear-naked-choke), Round 2, 4:46
Caitlin Sammons def. Christina Ricker by TKO, Round 2, 3:02
