A former home of Bellator MMA, CBS Sports Network is back in the MMA business, with Invicta FC events set to start broadcasting with the cable channel later this month.
In a press release issued Tuesday, promotion officials announced the deal, which will commence with Invicta FC 55 on June 28, 2024.
The deal will see five Invicta events air on the network in the U.S. this year.
“CBS Sports is the perfect partner for Invicta FC,” promotion President Shannon Knapp stated in Tuesday’s release. “By joining forces with their global platform, we’re set to bring our world-class events to an even larger audience. 2024 will be a landmark year for us, packed with unparalleled matchups and title fights exclusive to Invicta. We are excited to showcase our world-class events and demonstrate why Invicta FC is the leading brand in women’s MMA, giving fans around the world a front-row seat to the action.”
The June 28 Invicta card is headlined by Talita Bernado defending her women’s bantamweight title opposite Olga Rubin; the card also features the return of UFC alum Kay Hansen. The remaining four events set to air on CBS Sports in 2024 break down as follows:
- Friday, August 9 – Invicta FC 56
- Friday, September TBD – Invicta FC 57
- Wednesday, November 6 – Invicta FC 58
- Friday, December 13 – Invicta FC 59
No fights have been announced for the remaining four dates of 2024. Invicta has not been in action since the fall of 2023, and had been airing their events on Youtube, as well as AXS TV. Prior to that, Invicta had an exclusive home on UFC Fight Pass.
The all-female promotion, under the leadership of Knapp, has helped produce talents including Amanda Nunes, Rose Namajunas, Tecia Torres, Paige VanZant, Jennifer Maia, Angela Hill, and Carla Esparza, among others. Industry vets including Cris Cyborg and Sarah Kaufman, both former Strikeforce champions, also competed for the company over the years.
