The first Invicta FC card of 2022 will feature an atomweight title fight rematch as its main event.
In a press release distributed Wednesday, promotion officials revealed that Invicta FC 45 will take place January 12, 2022, behind closed doors in Kansas City without fans or media as a result of the ongoing coronavirus pandemic. In the main event, atomweight champion Alesha Zappitella (9-2, 1NC) will put her title on the line against Jessica Delboni (10-3), a rematch of their May title fight.
Zappitella successfully defended her 105lb title in that outing — which was the most recent Invicta FC numbered event, although the promotion returned to action in June for an atomweight Phoenix Series tournament.
Zappitella originally won the belt in September 2020, defeating Ashley Cummins via Von Flue choke to claim the vacant title. Her first and only title defense to date came against Delboni, a fight she won via split decision.
Delboni ran the gauntlet back in June, winning the one-night Phoenix Series atomweight tournament to earn another shot at gold. Over the course of three fights, she defeated Tabatha Watkins and Marisa Messer-Belenchia by decision — both one-round affairs — before capturing a three-round decision win over Lindsey VanZandt.
The Invicta FC 45 card as announced Wednesday features the following match-ups:
Alesha Zappitella (c) vs. Jéssica Delboni – for the Invicta FC atomweight championship
Claire Guthrie vs. Lauren Mueller – bantamweight
Courtney King vs. Morgan Frier – featherweight
Monica Franco vs. Hailey Cowan – bantamweight
Hilarie Rose vs. Emily Whitmire – strawweight
Maria Favela vs. TBA – bantamweight
