Invicta Fighting Championships hosts a historic night of fights with world-class women’s mixed martial arts action taking place on Friday, August 27th. The preeminent international stage for women’s combat sports returns to pay-per-view. Broadcasting on PPV for the first time in eight years with Invicta FC 44: A New Era. The event transpires at Memorial Hall in Kansas City and two championship outings bolster the card.
A new Invicta FC strawweight champion emerges from this late-Summer event. Top contenders Emily Ducote and Danielle Taylor test skills for the 115-pound belt.
The second half of Invicta FC 44’s double main event sees Lisa Verzosa take on Phoenix Tournament winner Taneisha Tennant. This decides who helms Invicta’s bantamweight division for the foreseeable future.
Invicta FC 44
Kicking at 10 p.m. eastern time on Friday, August 27th, Invicta FC 44: A New Era goes live on pay-per-view via traditional cable and satellite carriers. Also, digital customers around the world can pre-order the event immediately from FITE TV.
The live Invicta FC 44 Prelims broadcast in the U.S. on AXS TV and stream for free internationally on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel. The preliminary pugilism begins at 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT. Both platforms also premiere a special Countdown to Invicta FC 44. A documentary piece set to go the week before the live event.
Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp stated, “I’m excited for our athletes to showcase their skills on pay-per-view again. These title fights feature some of the most talented women in mixed martial arts and I can’t wait to watch these amazing match-ups.”
Invicta Fighting Championships
With prior misses in challenges for the Bellator MMA and Invicta crowns, Oklahoma strawweight Ducote is looking to prove third time’s the charm.
She said, “It’s my time to show off everything I’ve been working on. Danielle’s tough. We’ve both fought the best and this is a good match-up. But I will walk through whatever I need to walk through to get this championship.”
Meanwhile, Danielle Taylor has beaten well-regarded contenders including Jessica Aguilar, Jessica Penne, and Seo Hee Ham. Taylor responded, “At the end of day she has never faced my speed and power. I believe I can stop everything she throws at me then put her out. They will announce me as the new Invicta strawweight champion.”
Verzosa has spent the bulk of her pro-MMA career under the Invicta banner. She earned her fifth promotional win against Raquel Canuto in her last contest. The sole defeat of her career came in a tight split decision in a prior Invicta title bid in 2020.
Invicta FC
“I’m super excited to have another title shot and prove to myself I can be champion,” expressed the 25-year-old. “Nobody has the heart that I do — that’s why I win.”
Having earned her title shot by beating three opponents in one night, Tennant has tremendous momentum heading into late-August. “My style of fighting will have her looking like an amateur. She’s never been hit like I hit before.”
Also, a five-fight main card features a flyweight bout with Brogan Sanchez and UFC veteran Mara Romero Borella going to war.
We’ll see strawweight Jodie Esquibel return to the promotional fold after a four-fight run in the UFC. She faces off with a proven warrior in Kelly D’Angelo. Unbeaten Hawaiian 135 pounder Monica Franco takes on a another UFC vet in Lauren Mueller.
Prior to the pay-per-view card, the Invicta FC 44 Prelims showcase a flyweight tilt featuring Caitlin Sammons and Helen Peralta vying for supremacy. Also on the preliminary card, Katie Saull and Monique Adriane meet in atomweight action. Plus, rising featherweight Kayla Yontef makes her professional debut opposite fellow newcomer Carlene Chandler.
The current fight card for Invicta FC 44: A New Era
Strawweight Title: Emily Ducote vs. Danielle Taylor
Bantamweight Title: Lisa Verzosa vs. Taneisha Tennant
Flyweight: Brogan Sanchez vs. Mara Romero Borella
Atomweight: Jodie Esquibel vs. Kelly D’Angelo
Bantamweight: Monica Franco vs. Lauren Mueller
Flyweight: Caitlin Sammons vs. Helen Peralta
Atomweight: Katie Saull vs. Monique Adriane
Featherweight: Kayla Yontef vs. Carlene Chandler
