Invicta FC 43 arrived Friday looking like a very different card than was originally planned.
When first announced, Invicta FC’s November offering featured a title fight double-header, including Pearl Gonzalez vying for the promotion’s flyweight crown. However, a positive COVID-19 test knocked Gonzalez out of the event.
The strawweight title was set to be contested by Emily Ducote and Montserrat Ruiz. That fight, the evening’s main event, held together. Right up until the last minute. After silence from the promotion regarding weigh-in on Thursday (no media was present), on Friday, Invicta FC officials confirmed that the title fight was off. Due to “enhanced COVID-19 safety protocols.” Both Ducote and Ruiz made weight, but they would not fight.
To bolster the event, PFL star and two-time Olympic gold medalist Kayla Harrison had been brought in as part of the evening’s co-main event. With the Professional Fighters League sitting out 2020 thanks to the coronavirus pandemic, the promotion gave their biggest star the green light to cross over. Harrison was paired up with Courtney King at the event — and made the cut to 145lbs for the first time. With the loss of Ducote vs. Ruiz, that fight became the new main event.
The Invicta FC 43 card airs live on UFC Fight Pass, kicking off at 8PM ET. Check below for results come fight time.
Invicta FC 43: Ducote vs. Ruiz Results
Emily Ducote vs. Montserrat Ruiz – for the vacant Invicta FC strawweight title
Kayla Harrison def. Courtney King by TKO, Round 2, 4:48
Stephanie Geltmacher def. Caitlin Sammons by knockout, Round 1, 4:28
Hope Chase def. Brittney Cloudy by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 4:37
Meaghan Penning def. Alexa Culp by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Juliana Miller def. Kendal Holowell by submission (arm-bar), Round 1, 2:49
