Japan’s Kanako Murata was in action at Invicta FC 35 on Friday night, taking on Liana Pirosin in Kansas City, Kansas. The event, airing live on UFC Fight Pass, was Murtata’s Invicta FC debut, after a previously scheduled bout with Sharon Jacobson fell through when Murata was injured.

The Japanese strawweight had previously fought in RIZIN, King of the Cage, Pancrase, and DEEP, and boasted a 9-1 record heading into the night. Liana Pirosin, meanwhile, was also making her Invicta FC debut. The Brazilian came in with a 7-2 record, her last win coming against Kinberly Novaes, who was mired in a slump when they clashed.

Kanako Murata certainly made a strong first impression. She was dancing in and out, flashing her jab early, while the taller Pirosin flashed a front kick. Murata, however, briefly had control as the pair went to the ground, only for Pirosin to take the back and look for rear-naked choke. Murata pulled free, went back to work on top, and trapped Pirosin’s legs, preventing her from escaping. The Brazilian would eventually make it up, only to be taken back down again. This time, Murata took the back, and though she didn’t have her hooks fully in, she was able to force the tap! A big win for Kanako Murata in her Invicta FC debut.

After the fight, Murata joked that she had never trained a rear-naked choke.

Kanako Murata def. Liana Pirosin by submission (rear-naked choke), Round 1, 2:10

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