As it has been, so shall it be done. Invicta is back in Kansas City this December and they’re bringing with them another stacked card of MMA action. Invicta FC 7 will feature three title fights, with Barb Honchak making the first defense of her flyweight title against the resurgent Cesar Gracie product, Leslie Smith. Likewise, strawweight titlist Carla Esparza will make her first defense against hot Nova Uniao prospect Claudia Gadelha, fresh off a three round dismantling of Ayaka Hamasaki.
In the nights final title contest Invicta will crown its first ever bantamweight champion when Lauren Murphy (née Taylor) takes on Miriam Nakamoto. Murphy is coming off upset victories over Kaitlin Young and Sarah D’Alelio. She’s a Gracie Barra blue belt who’s won her Invicta bouts with stifiling top control and athleticism. Across from her will be Miriam Nakamoto. Nakamoto is a multiple-time Muay Thai champion with a kickboxing record of 14-0. Her MMA career has been fought almost entirely under the Invicta banner where she’s smashed her competition, defeating both current TUF competitor Jessamyn Duke and former boxing champion Duda Yankovich by first round knockout. Her win over Duke was overturned on an illegal knee, but it was still an impressive performance. Invicta has Murphy and Nakamoto lined up for a striker/grappler affair as both fighters are pretty one dimensional. It will be up to whichever fighter can stifle enough of their opponents strength to keep the fight in their area.
A couple of new fighters will be making their Invicta debut at this event as well with Felice Herrig, Munah Holland, Nina Ansaroff, Charmaine Tweet, Tonya Evinger, and Kelly Kobold all debuting. Also appearing on the card will be returning fighters Tecia Torres, Joanne Calderwood, Zoila Frausto-Gurgel, and Vanessa Porto. Here’s a look at the complete lineup to date.
Invicta FC 7:
Barb Honchak vs. Leslie Smith (flyweight title fight)
Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha (strawweight title fight)
Lauren Murphy vs. Miriam Nakamoto (bantamweight title fight)
Felice Herrig vs. Tecia Torres
Joanne Calderwood vs. Katja Kankaanpaa
Julia Budd vs. Charmaine Tweet
Zoila Frausto Gurgel vs. Vanessa Porto
Tonya Evinger vs. Kelly Kobold
Nina Ansaroff vs. Munah Holland
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