Alesha Zappitella-Jessica Delboni Atomweight Title Rematch Tops Invicta FC 45 Bill

Alesha Zappitella will face Jessica Correa Delboni in an atomweight championship rematch at Invicta FC 45 on Jan. 12.

The all-female promotion announced the booking on Wednesday. Invicta FC 45 takes place in Kansas City, with broadcast information to be revealed at a later date. Zappitella defeated Delboni via five-round split decision in their first meeting at Invicta on AXS TV on May 21.

According to a release, Invicta FC will hold its events on Wednesday nights in 2022.

"We are always looking for new ways to showcase our athletes and having events on Wednesdays will put the spotlight directly on them,” Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp said. “The rematch between Zappitella and Delboni is a perfect way to kick off the action on our new night.”

Five other bouts were announced for the card: Claire Guthrie vs. Lauren Mueller at bantamweight; Courtney King vs. Morgan Frier at featherweight; Monica Franco vs. Hailey Cowan at bantamweight; Hilarie Rose vs. Emily Whitmire at strawweight and Maria Favela vs. TBA at bantamweight.

Anchored at Scorpion Fighting Systems, Zappitella is currently on a four-bout winning streak in Invicta FC. She claimed atomweight gold with a fourth-round submission of Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 42 in September 2020. “Half Pint” is 9-2 as a professional, with seven of her victories coming via decision.

Delboni earned another opportunity to face Zappitella by winning the promotion’s atomweight tournament this past June, which included one-round exhibition triumphs over Marisa Messer-Belenchia and Tabatha Ann Watkins and a three-round verdict against Lindsey VanZandt in the finals. The Parana Vale Tudo representative is 11-3 over the course of her professional career.