Capping off the night at Invicta FC 55, the promotion’s return to action after more than six months away, and their first card of 2024, was a bantamweight title fight that saw Talita Bernardo looking to make the first defense of her 135lb crown.
Challenging for Invicta gold for the second time was Olga Rubin, who in the past had also contended for featherweight gold in Bellator.
Early on, Rubin pressed the action, keeping Bernardo on the outside. About 90 seconds in, they went to the ground, with Rubin catching the champ in a modified triangle. Rubin fired punches, while Bernardo looked to methodically work her way out. When she did, another scramble led to Bernardo taking the back, getting her hooks in and hunting for the rear-naked choke.
Round two opened with Rubin driving the champ against the fence, but she could not keep Bernardo there long. Bernardo circled on the outside, firing a low kick, while Rubin responded with a right hand. They would clinch up off a Rubin head kick, Bernardo in the driver’s seat- with the champ eventually landing a trip takedown. Rubin was very active off her back, and nearly scrambled free, only for Bernardo to take the back. Hooks in, she again went hunting for a rear-naked choke, while Rubin fought the hands.
It would take a little bit, but this time, the submission was there, with Rubin eventually forced to tap.
Talita Bernardo improved to 5-0 since exiting the UFC on the night, with three submission finishes in that stretch. That actually puts the Brazilian on the best run of her professional fighting career.
Official Result: Talita Bernardo def. Olga Rubin by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 2, 2:53
