Women’s MMA promotion Invicta FC is set to return in early July with “Invicta FC 40.” The card will be held in Kansas City, Kansas, without a live audience or media. Set to headline the currently six-fight show is Emily Ducote and Juliana Lima in a strawweight fight.
The full lineup was announced on Invicta’s website on Tuesday.
Ducote is having her first fight back after losing to Kanako Murata in November, battling for the then-vacant Invicta Strawweight Championship. Lima, a former UFC fighter, looks to have her third fight in Invicta FC after the end of her UFC run in 2018.
In the co-main event of the show, Alesha Zappitella looks to build off of her last Invicta win against Kelly D’Angelo, now fighting Lindsey VanZandt. VanZandt last fought on New Year’s Eve, with her corner throwing in the towel in the third round against RENA in Japanese promotion RIZIN.
Both trying to bounce back from a previous loss in the promotion, DeAnna Bennett and Victoria Leonardo will be booked for a flyweight battle.
In her first Invicta FC fight, Olivia Parker will have her four-fight undefeated streak tested against Chelsea Chandler. After a debut loss in 2018, Chandler has picked up two wins, looking for a third on this show.
Lower on the card are two undefeated matchups. In a flyweight battle, Claire Guthrie gets put up against Laura Anderson. And making her debut in professional MMA, Shelby Koren fights Genia Gooden.
Invicta FC said that “all participants will be tested for COVID-19 prior to the event,” and plans to release more information on their safety precautions as the event approaches.
Here’s the full card so far.
Bout 6: Emily Ducote (8-6) vs. Juliana Lima (10-6) (Strawweight)
Bout 5: Alesha Zappitella (6-2) vs. Lindsey VanZandt (7-3) (Atomweight)
Bout 4: DeAnna Bennett (10-6-1) vs. Victoria Leonardo (6-2) (Flyweight)
Bout 3: Chelsea Chandler (2-1) vs. Olivia Parker (4-0) (Featherweight)
Bout 2: Claire Guthrie (1-0) vs. Laura Anderson (2-0) (Flyweight)
Bout 1: Genia Goodin (1-0) vs. Shelby Koren (0-0) (Strawweight)
Knockdown News 