Invicta FC was back in action over the weekend, featuring a card topped by former UFC fighter and Invicta flyweight title challenger Pearl Gonazalez. Gonzalez was back in the cage for the first time since losing her title bid against Vanessa Porto earlier this year. Opposite her in the Invicta FC 37 main event, Brogan Sanchez, who entered the night undefeated.

She did not leave it that way. Gonzalez fought her way to a unanimous decision win, handing Sanchez the first loss of her career. The 33-year old Gonzalez, meanwhile, improved her record to 10-4. She’s gone 4-1 since departing the UFC back in 2017.

Kay Hansen, meanwhile, submitted Nicolle Caliari to get back in the win column as well.

Check out full results from the event below, plus a gallery of highlights from all the night’s action.

Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez Results:

Pearl Gonzalez def. Brogan Sanchez by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Mariya Agapova def. Marilla Santos by TKO (elbows), Round 1, 4:55
Kay Hansen def. Nicolle Caliari by submission (guillotine choke), Round 3, 1:14
Lindsey VanZandt def. Shino VanHoose by TKO (injury), Round 1, 0:39
Linda Mihalec def. Marisa Messer-Belenchia by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Hope Chase def. Megan Cawley by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 3:28
Claire Johnson def. Jordan Kaaze by submission (armbar), Round 3, 2:20

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Invicta FC 37 was scheduled to go down Friday, October 4 in Kansas City, Kansas — but without it’s original main event.

The all-female fighting promotion headed by Shannon Knapp had booked an atomweight title fight between Jinh Yu Frey and Ashley Cummins, but that fell through as a result of an injury to the champ. So instead, Pearl Gonzalez vs. Brogan Sanchez was elevated to the main event, a fun flyweight scrap at the least.

Gonzalez had made the most of her time with Invicta, working her way to a title shot before falling to Vanessa Porto. The 33-year old Chicago native was 3-1 since exiting the UFC, and would be looking to bounce back from her title fight loss when she faced Sanchez.

Sanchez, for her part, was looking to keep a perfect 6-0 record intact at the event.

Notable names including Kay Hansen and Lindsey VanZandt were also in action Saturday, while Jordan Kaaze was set to make her pro debut after a successful amateur career. Tune in come fight time for full results and a recap of the night’s action!

Invicta FC 37: Gonzalez vs. Sanchez Results

Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez def. Brogan Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-27 3x)

A whirlwind first round kicked off our main-event. Pearl Gonzalez shot across the cage and ate two right hands en route to looking for a takedown. Sanchez would counter and get Gonzalez back briefly before Gonzalez worked her way to full guard. Sanchez would then battle out of it before getting hip tossed. She again worked her way to her feet, before getting taken down again to end the first round.

The two decided to spend the first half of the round trading shots. Gonzalez kept going upstairs with her high kick and landing the right hand. While Sanchez kept looking for the lowkey, that was until Gonzalez went for another hip toss, this one would fail. Sanchez would end up on top, and look for an armbar, however, that wouldn’t come as Gonzalez would reverse to get into guard. She then rode out the rest of round two on top.

The two opened the third by both vying for position along the fence. However, Gonzalez would be the one to score the takedown and moving into full guard. She would then land some brutal elbows to Sanchez and would have much success on top for the duration of the round. Sanchez would get up with seconds to go, but it was too late.

Flyweight: Mariya Agapova def. Marilia Santos via TKO, (4:55) of Round 1.

A fun scrap while it lasted, Mariya Agapova and Marila Santos came out throwing hooks that would make Wanderlei Silva blush to start the fight. Agapova would look to throw some nice kicks as well before Santos shockingly pulled guard. Santos would look for an armbar off of her back, but Agapova would slip out. She would then slip into side control, and start landing some elbows from hell that forced Santos to cover up. The referee would then wave off the fight in the final seconds of round one.

Two months, two wins for Mariya Agapova.

Strawweight: Kay Hansen def. Nicolle Caliari via guillotine, (1:14) of Round 3.

Kay Hansen fighting in what seems like her millionth fight of the year earned a dominating victory over newcomer Nicolle Caliari. Hansen dominated the fight, from the beginning to the end. She quickly got the back in round one and looked for the choke, a common theme. The third round would be when she got the finish, however, as she would get the mount following a takedown and would sink in a deep guillotine, forcing Caliari to tap.

Hansen is one of the best examples of a fighter showcasing improvement from fight to fight.

Atomweight: Lindsey VanZandt def. Shino VanHoose via TKO (leg-kick), (:39) of Round 1.

These two came out throwing heat as soon as the fight began. VanZandt landed a heavy leg kick, before landing a clean right that made VanHoose back off. VanHoose then ate a heavy leg kick as she came in again, and that was all it took. She went down and the fight is over, sad for VanHoose, but VanZandt has some powerful kicks.

Atomweight: Linda Mihalec def. Marisa Messer-Belenchia via unanimous decision (30-27 2x, 29-28)

Linda Mihalec and Marisa Messer-Belenchia put on a war. The first round as completely in control of MMB until the final seconds after a takedown, hower Mihalec would reverse to end up on top. The second round was a similar story, however, after a failed north-south choke attempt by MMB, Mihalec would get the full mount and nearly get the finish with strikes. However, the referee would let the fight see a third round, a third-round which would be a grueling clinch battle. After a rough 15 minutes, the winner turned out to be Linda Mihalec.

Bantamweight: Hope Chase def. Megan Cawley via rear-naked-choke, (3:28) of Round 1.

A completely dominating performance by Hope Chase. Chase came out looking fired up, throwing a flurry right as the fight began. She would quickly get the takedown and start landing ruthless ground and pound. Cawley would go for an armbar, however, she wouldn’t be able to get it and gave up her back in the process. Chase then landed some big strikes, and get the back, and look for the choke. Not much longer, she would get the choke, and the win.

Flyweight: Claire Johnson def. Jordan Kaaze via armbar, (2:20) of Round 3.

Claire Johnson and Jordan Kaaze helped kick off the card in a battle of debutants. Johnson would quickly get the takedown in round one, a peek at what was to come. She would dominate the first round, however, she failed to get out of half-guard, despite landing ground and pound. The second round began with another takedown, one again Kaaze failed to get out from Johnson’s heavy top pressure. Johnson moved to side control and land brutal elbows, however, she couldn’t get the finish.

She did get the finish in the third round, however. She got another early takedown, and after a failed reversal attempt by Kaaze, she locked up the armbar and got the tap.

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Invicta FC 37 goes down Friday night, and ahead of the all-female promotion’s latest offering, all fighters hit the scales in Kansas City, Kansas. The card was originally expected to feature an atomweight title fight between champ Jinh Yu Frey and Ashley Cummins. However, an injury to the champion has seen that fight pushed back to later this year.

Instead, former UFC fighter Pearl Gonzalez, last seen challenging for flyweight gold in Invicta FC, returned against Brogan Sanchez.

There was but one mishap at the scales Thursday. Nicolle Caliari, fighting Invicta mainstay Kay Hansen, missed the strawweight limit. Just missed it. She came in at 0.2lbs over the 116lb non-title fight limit. As a result, she’ll give up 25% of her fight purse.

Ouch. All other fighters made weight for the event, which will air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass. Check below for video and photo highlights courtesy of Invicta FC!

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=abt_RY8zRQQ

Invicta FC 37 Weigh-In Results:

Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (125.7) vs. Brogan Sanchez (125.5)
Flyweight: Mariya Agapova (125.9) vs. Marilia Santos (125.5)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (116) vs. Nicolle Caliari (116.2)*
Atomweight: Shino VanHoose (106) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (105.3)
Atomweight: Linda Mihalec (105.5) vs. Marisa Messer-Belenchia (106)
Bantamweight: Megan Cawley (135.6) vs. Hope Chase (135.8)
Flyweight: Jordan Kaaze (125.4) vs. Claire Johnson (125.6)

* – Caliari missed the strawweight limit of 116 pounds and was fined 25 percent of her fight purse

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Invicta FC 37 goes down tomorrow night in Kansas City, Kansas, and it will be Pearl Gonzalez topping the card. Coming off a loss in a title fight against Vanessa Porto, Gonzalez will be hoping to bounce back, after running up a 3-1 record following her departure from the UFC.

Her opponent Saturday night, Brogan Sanchez, enters the fight with a perfect 6-0 record. ‘Killer Bee’ has won two of those under the Invicta FC banner, including a key win over 125lb standout Miranda Maverick.

Also on the card, youngter Kay Hansen, who recently turned 20. Hansen has fought to a record of 5–3 so far in her young career, and is coming off a win over Carolina Jimenez at Invicta’s Phoenix Series 2 last month. Hansen’s opponent in this short-turnaround fight, Nicolle Caliari, was the only fighter to miss weight Thursday, by 0.2lbs. She’ll be fined 25% of her purse.

Full weigh-in results can be found below.

Invicta FC 37 Weigh-In Results

Flyweight: Pearl Gonzalez (125.7) vs. Brogan Sanchez (125.5)
Flyweight: Mariya Agapova (125.9) vs. Marilia Santos (125.5)
Strawweight: Kay Hansen (116) vs. Nicolle Caliari (116.2)*
Atomweight: Shino VanHoose (106) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (105.3)
Atomweight: Linda Mihalec (105.5) vs. Marisa Messer-Belenchia (106)
Bantamweight: Megan Cawley (135.6) vs. Hope Chase (135.8)
Flyweight: Jordan Kaaze (125.4) vs. Claire Johnson (125.6)

* – Caliari missed the strawweight limit of 116 pounds and was fined 25% of her purse

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Jordan Kaaze, the ‘KamiKaaze,’ makes her professional debut this Friday in Kansas City, KS under the Invicta FC banner. We spoke to Kaaze ahead of Invicta FC 37, about how she got into MMA, her future and much more.

First of all, how did you get into MMA?

After graduating from nursing school, I was overweight and out of shape. I was athletic growing up so I wanted to find something I could stick with. I always tell people I ‘accidentally ended up at an MMA gym after I googled “beginner boxing classes near me.” I went to my first class and was hooked, I gradually started training muay thai, wrestling, and jiu-jitsu as well. After two years of training, I had my debut MMA fight [amateur].

Do you have any background in any other sports? If so, explain?

I was very active growing up. I grew up on a dairy farm and was also a four-sport athlete in high school (volleyball, basketball, softball, and track) and played volleyball my first two years of college before I started my nursing classes.

What is your career or would MMA be your full-time job?

Ironically, I work on a Trauma ICU as an RN. I have worked on this unit throughout my amateur career. Since turning pro, I have decreased the number of hours a week I work but still maintain my position. I love my RN job and I think it builds my character that I take into the cage. MMA may also be my other ‘job’ I have now but it will always remain my passion.

Who are you currently training with and who are some of your main sparring partners?

Most of my training partners are male and they are tough. They don’t take it easy on me nor would I ever want them to. I have certain training partners for standing and grappling, that don’t necessarily train MMA. I also train with professional females Kelly Kobold and Akeela Al-Hameed, who are just as tough if not more tough than the guys.

List of accomplishments such as titles, belt ranks, etc…?

2019 Class A TBA Muay Thai national champ
Blue belt in Jiu-jitsu
3 River Throwdown (promotion) first female champion defending the strap x3

What are your favorite striking and grappling technique?

Anything that sets up the finish on the feet or the ground.

You have one loss in your career. How did that change you as a fighter and what did you learn?

I learned that I needed further training after my loss. I vividly remember seeing everything after getting punched by Peralta… and, not in a good way. My focus left and I remember seeing people’s reactions in the crowd and the roar took over my corner’s voice. It felt like I had been shell shocked and I tried to refocus but it was too late. I switched to Spartan Martial Arts after that fight and have been on a six-fight win streak, finishing five of them. I feel like people either get discouraged or motivated by a loss and I was definitely motivated to never feel that again. I am well trained physically and mentally now. It will be hard to shell shock me like that again, I am battle-tested now unlike before that loss.

You’re making your professional debut next. What made your mind up on going pro?

It was a team decision, I knew in the back of my mind that turning pro was on the horizon. When I was given the green light, I wasn’t shocked or surprised, I just asked for the dotted line. MMA is my passion and I want stiff competition…why the hell would you be in the sport if you didn’t? Signing with Invicta FC will give me just that and I am excited to see how I perform under the new standards. Some people break under pressure, I perform better, more efficient.

You’re also debuting in Invicta FC. How did that deal come about and how excited are you to be on such a big platform?

There was the word from the grapevine that Invicta FC ‘wanted to know’ when I decided to turn pro shortly after my KO win against Lamonska that hit the internet and spread like wildfire. I knew I wasn’t going to rush it but also knew Invicta FC was my next level goal. When I actually received the contract, it was a sublime feeling and I am honored to be a part of such a stellar organization for females.

You’re set to fight Claire Guthrie coming up. What do you think about her as an opponent and how do you see this fight playing out?

Honestly, I could care less who is across the cage from me. With that said, I do my homework and watch the film. There is always a game plan going in but at the end of the day in my mind it is a fight and anything can happen. On paper, I seem like a one-dimensional fighter with all my finishes by TKO/KO but in reality, I know what I am capable of standing and on the ground. I have answers to anywhere the fight goes, I just tend to capitalize before it gets there. My game plan for this fight and every fight before and after this one is the same… finish.

If you weren’t fighting where would you be today?

No idea but I know that fighting has changed my life, I firmly believe I was meant to do this. I met my husband through the sport so I know MMA has already given me my greatest prize. I am honestly not that exciting of a person. I go to work, pay my taxes, train MMA, and try to spend as much time as I can with my family and close friends. My circle is very small and I love it. I wouldn’t trade my life for anyone else’s.

How is the cut to 125?

No complaints, it’s just another job that needs to be done. I have fought my last 4 fights at 125 and have never missed weight. I feel healthy and optimal. People ask if I will make the drop to 115 and at this time, no… I don’t see a reason to and I need to stay optimal at my job as an RN. People’s lives are in my hands so I prefer to continue doing the weight cut thing smart and right. I don’t care if I am cutting 4 lbs or 10 lbs in 24 hours (I have done both), it’s still a bitch but a temporary one.

Still so young in your career, what is your end goal in this sport?

The same as any professional athletes… to get to the big show. I will have that UFC flyweight title in my hands before I am done.

Last question. Why do you fight and who do you fight for?

Fighting is my passion and it gives me feelings and emotions I only get when I walk to and from the cage. It is more than adrenaline, it is my euphoria. People always comment about getting paid to fight now that I am a pro. My thoughts remain the same…. money isn’t the motivator but my family is a powerful one. I fight for personal pride. The money goes to supporting my family, and I would burn the world down for them.

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Invicta FC 37 is scheduled to take place next Friday night from Memorial Hall in Kansas City. The main event for the card was supposed to be a title fight rematch between defending atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey, and top contender Ashley Cummins. However, that bout has now been re-scheduled for Invicta FC 39, due to an injury suffered by the champion Frey. Invicta announced the news in a press release earlier today. Invicta FC 39 doesn’t have an official date, however the card is rumored for early December.

The new main event for the Invicta FC37 card is a battle of top flyweights Pearl Gonzalez and Brogan Sanchez. Gonzalez (9-4) is looking to rebound after a title-fight loss to Vanessa Porto earlier this year. Prior to that loss, Gonzalez was on a three-fight win streak following her release from the UFC in 2017 after losses to Polina Botelho and Cynthia Calvillo. Sanchez (6-0), on the other hand, is undefeated following the first six fights in her career, including two in the Invicta cage. Those wins were over Phoenix Rising 2 tournament winner Miranda Maverick, and Cheri Muraski.

In addition to the new headliner, a bantamweight bout has joined the fight card as Florida’s Megan Cawley returns to the Invicta cage against newcomer Hope Chase of Pennsylvania. The card also features Invicta FC mainstays such as Kay Hansen, Lindsey Vanzandt, and Shino VanHoose. The new co-main event is the electric Mariya Agapova taking on Marilia Santos, of Dana White’s Contender Series fame.

Invicta FC 37 takes place Friday, October 4th, from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The seven-fight card will stream live and exclusively on UFC Fight Pass beginning at 7 p.m. CT.

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Jinh Yu Frey will meet Ashley Cummins for the second time in the Invicta FC 37 main event, the promotion has announced. The card, which takes place next month, will be topped by the atomweight rematch, and also features the return of Pearl Gonzalez, who will face Brogan Walker-Sanchez in the co-main event.

.@InvictaFights returns to action this October 4th for #InvictaFC37: @littleroo1two vs @SmashleyMMA 2 PLUS Brogan Walker-Sanchez vs @PearlGonzalez in the co-main event!

Tickets are available now: https://t.co/VRdxOOJCXL pic.twitter.com/kbmMf24IMe

— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) September 9, 2019

The 34-year old Frey (8-4) won the promotion’s atomweight title last year, against Minna Grusander. She defended it once, in an instant rematch with Grusander. She then detoured over to Japan, where she came up short in a bid to become the RIZIN super atomweight champion. That fight came against Ayaka Hamasaki, another rematch from earlier in Frey’s Invicta FC run.

That came in June. Frey has not fought since.

Ashley Cummins (7-4) first fought Frey back in 2017 at Invicta FC 24. She won both her bouts last year, against Stephanie Alba and Jessica Delboni. Both fights went the distance, but were decisive unanimous decisions for Ashley ‘Smashley.’ She hasn’t competed since November 2018.

In co-main event action, former UFC fighter and Invicta title challenger Pearl Gonzalez (9-4) returns for the first time since her title fight against Vanessa Porto. Gonzalez is 3-1 since departing the UFC, and seems to have found new life at flyweight after fighting as a strawweight in the UFC.

Her opponent, Brogan Walker-Sanchez (6-0), is undefeated as a professional, but has not fought since a split decision win over Miranda Maverick in July of last year.

Invicta FC 37 takes place October 4, 2019, at the Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. More bouts are expected to be announced soon.

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