Invicta FC 12 Results: ‘Kankaanpaa vs. Souza’ Play-by-Play & Updates

Gina Begley vs. Sijara Eubanks

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for tonight’s bantamweight opener. The taller Begley opens with a few range-finding jabs and front kicks, then slides backward around the edge of the cage while Eubanks looks to inch into the pocket. Begley pops Eubanks with a jab on the right eye, and Eubanks responds with an outside leg kick. The fighters clash low kicks before Begley sticks another straight left. Eubanks comes up with a kick to the body, but when she tries a front kick to the midsection, Begley catches it and tags her with a punch down the center. Both debuting fighters seem hesitant to engage until the 90-second mark, when Eubanks rushes into range, grabs hold of Begley and dumps her to the ground. Eubanks scores with a little ground-and-pound, then stacks up her opponent as Begley angles for an armbar. Begley rolls to her knees and gets caught there, where Eubanks is able to land some quick and heavy hammer fists. Eubanks is going full Donkey Kong in the last 10 seconds, teeing off on Begley with both hands, and referee McCarthy steps in to stop the fight just before the bell.

The Official Result

Sijara Eubanks def. Gina Begley via TKO (Punches) R1 4:59

Shannon Sinn vs. Maureen Riordon

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for this flyweight bout. Sinn lands a couple quick punches down the center and puts a kick on Riordon’s lead leg. Sinn looks to have the quicker hands in the opening minute, beating Riordon to the punch as the two trade combinations in the center of the cage. Sinn closes the gap and pushes Riordon against the cage with a body lock, and now Riordon is able to get busy with short, defensive punches as Sinn works for the takedown. Sinn tries a standing arm-triangle choke, loses it and goes back to the takedown attempt. She hits Riordon with a level elbow and releases the clinch, allowing Riordon to walk forward. Sinn snaps back Riordon’s head with a few left hands; Riordon just keeps pressing forward, throwing punches which mostly miss or bounce off Sinn’s gloves. 10-9 Sinn.

Round 2

Riordon comes out aggressive and walks into more heavy counterpunches from Sinn, who stays on her back foot with hands high. One minute in, Sinn grabs the Thai plum and pops Riordon with a few good uppercuts and hooks before releasing. Riordon won’t back down, keeps pressing forward, and she does manage to put a couple right hands on the side of Sinn’s face before she’s bullied against the cage again. Sinn releases the clinch midway through the round and backs out. Riordon comes straight at her, again starting to find her range with punches. Just when it looks like Sinn might be slowing down, she starts rocking Riordon’s head with counter right hooks again. Sinn grabs a collar tie, but this time it’s Riordon doing damage in the clinch, bloodying Sinn’s nose with an elbow. Both women are swinging hands in the last 30 seconds but it’s Riordon coming on strong, backing up the bloodied Sinn with aggressive -- if not overly technical -- strikes. 10-9 Riordon.

Round 3

It’s Riordon pushing the pace again as the final round begins, quickly re-bloodying Sinn’s nose with a right hand. Sinn has regained some pop in her punches, though, and she’s fending off Riordon with straight counters as she backpedals through the first 90 seconds. Both women are having trouble breathing through with what appear to be oversized mouthguards. Sinn grabs hold of Riordon and pushes her against the fence, but Sinn’s knees from there are slow and not landing cleanly. They separate with just over 90 seconds to go, the round still up in the air. Sinn is landing the cleaner punches down the stretch, but Riordon won’t be denied and continues rushing forward, swinging wild punches. Sinn opts to try a single-leg takedown in the final 10 seconds but can’t complete it and winds up holding Riordon against the cage at the bell. 10-9 Sinn (29-28 Sinn).

The Official Result

Shannon Sinn def. Maureen Riordon via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Delaney Owen vs. Sharon Jacobson

Round 1

Mike England is the referee for this strawweight tilt. The women waste no time getting things started as Jacobson balks at Owen’s glove touch and rushes in with punches. Owen circles out but Jacobson stays aggressive, chasing Owen to the other side of the cage and dragging her to the ground. Owen rolls to her knees, then stands up, but Jacobson continues to score with thumping right hands as she holds Owen against a cage post. Owen peels her opponent’s hands away and tries throwing some punches of her own, but Jacobson gives her no breathing room and underhooks her back to the post. Owen walks Jacobson away from the fence and separates, then zaps her with a pair of quick left hands. Now it’s Jacobson on the retreat and Owen clinching up, but Jacobson -- whose right eye is already bearing a sizable mouse -- turns her around. Owen reverses again to take the outside position and absorbs a knee to the gut in order to keep the position and continue throwing hands. Jacobson reverses again soon after, and now the fighters break with about one minute left in a hectic opening round. Jacobson floors Owen with a double-leg takedown away from the fence and grinds with elbows from half guard. A couple heavy elbows bounce Owen’s head off the canvas before she manages to reclaim full guard. Jacobson stands and tries to pass in the closing seconds but cannot. 10-9 Jacobson.

Round 2

Owen picks off Jacobson with a couple straight, clean counterpunches, prompting Jacobson to change levels and bring “Lil Scrappy” to the canvas with a double-leg. Owen wraps up Jacobson’s hands from open guard, so Jacobson stands and allows Owen to do the same. Jacobson throws half a dozen punches but none land clean, so she goes for another takedown and easily puts Owen on the mat near the fence. Jacobson stands over Owen, dropping body punches, then takes a knee after Owen pops her with an upkick to the face. Owen is hunting for a submission, isolating Jacobson’s left arm while simultaneously setting up a triangle. Jacobson lifts and slams Owen to get free, but her left arm is caught in an omoplata as she tries to pass to side control. Owen tries to sneak around the back, so Jacobson straddles her head and threatens with a kimura to force a scramble. As Owen tries to stand, Jacobson jumps on her back and then takes full mount to drop elbows in the final seconds. 10-9 Jacobson.

Round 3

Jacobson’s right eye is in rough shape as the final frame begins, nearly swollen shut from the damage she took in the first round. She brings the fight to the fence, muscling Owen against the cage to deliver some phone-booth punches and knees. Owen gets loose, only to be put back on the cage and decked with uppercuts. Suddenly, Owen breaks free and knocks Jacobson backward with a combination. As Owen charges to capitalize, however, Jacobson changes levels and takes Owen down in the center of the cage. Owen gets to her knees, takes a few body shots and stands up for a split second before being dragged back down. Inside the final minute now, Jacobson is scoring with right hands and elbows from Owen’s half guard. Owen gets wrist control in the closing moments to avoid any further damage. There is no exchange of pleasantries between the fighters when time runs out. 10-9 Jacobson (30-27 Jacobson).

The Official Result

Sharon Jacobson def. Delaney Owen via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Lacey Schuckman vs. Jenny Liou Shriver

Round 1

Mike England is the referee for this 118-pound catchweight bout. Shriver slaps with a few leg kicks early but is quickly on the retreat as Schuckman presses forward with heavy punches. Schuckman digs an underhook and shoves Shriver against the fence, then releases to deck her with an elbow. A left hand has Shriver shooting for a takedown, but Schuckman denies it and walks down Shriver to land another hard shot and a clinch knee. Schuckman grabs a body lock, tries to drag Shriver to the ground but can’t. When she’s released from the tie-up, Shriver just stands there with her back to the fence, and Schuckman tees off with punches until referee England steps in.

The Official Result

Lacey Schuckman def. Jenny Liou Shriver via TKO (Punches) R1 1:53

Peggy Morgan vs. Latoya Walker

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for this 146-pound catchweight bout. Walker takes the center of the cage while Morgan cuts angles on the outside, flicking out a few push kicks to keep the shorter woman out of range. Walker steps into the pocket and puts an overhand right behind Morgan’s ear. Walker gets through with a few body blows, but her punches are mostly coming up short as the rangy Morgan stays at a safe distance. Morgan has found little in the way of clean offense through the first three minutes, but she continues to fire off kicks. Walker cathces one on the shoulder and pushes Morgan to her knees, then allows her to stand. Walker closes in on Morgan and goes body-head with a pair of right hands. 10-9 Walker.

Round 2

Walker sticks a jab, goes to the body with a right hand and backs out of the pocket before Morgan can grab hold. An overhand right clips Morgan, who once again tries to tie up with Walker but can’t keep her in the clinch. The next clinch attempt from Morgan gets her shoved against the cage with Walker’s forearm across her throat. Walker gets an underhook, but Morgan grabs control of the other wrist and tries to walk her off the fence. Morgan pushes back and muscles Morgan against a cage post, then releases midway through the round when Morgan starts throwing knees. Walker’s snappy jabs continue to score, and a right hand behind one of them leaves Morgan backing up. Walker follows up with a combintion but doesn’t pursue the finish, as Morgan recovers quickly. Morgan keeps wheeling around with kicks which only catch air or barely graze Walker’s midsection. 10-9 Walker.

Round 3

Morgan comes out for round three sporting a shiner on her left eye. She continues to jab and kick in Walker’s direction but still can’t quite find the mark. The “Black Mamba,” meanwhile, keeps scoring with body shots when she’s able to get inside. Eighty seconds into the round, Morgan grabs hold of Walker and turns the corner to try and take her back standing. Walker fights off her opponent’s wrists and turns toward her, scraping Morgan off her back with the help of the cage. Halfway through the final frame, Walker puts a hard right hook in Morgan’s breadbasket. Morgan keeps dancing backwards, blood now oozing from her nose, and Walker is chasing after her with a little less abandon. Morgan connects with a jab that draws a nod from Walker, whose offense is tapering off in the last 90 seconds. Both women land jabs, and Morgan finishes the fight with a push kick to the stomach. 10-9 Walker (30-27 Walker).

The Official Result

Latoya Walker def. Peggy Morgan via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Ediane Gomes vs. Raquel Pa'aluhi

Round 1

Mike England is the referee for this bantamweight bout. Gomes slides out of the way of some early low kicks from Pa’aluhi and then grabs hold of the American, but Pa’aluhi hip-tosses her to the canvas. Gomes squirms underneath as Pa’aluhi tries to advance past half guard. When Gomes gets to her knees, Pa’aluhi hits her with a hammer fist to the back of the head. The Brazilian veteran briefly sweeps to top position, then drops back to try a heel hook which she loses as Pa’aluhi grabs the fence to stack up. Pa’aluhi stands over Gomes, gets kicked away and comes back to set up on top in half guard again. Gomes tries to wrap up and nullify Pa’aluhi’s offense, but “Rocky” gets through with a couple good right hands. Pa’aluhi tries to mount, but Gomes gets hold of her left leg and drops back to try the heel hook again. It’s a leglock battle now with 30 seconds on the clock. Pa’aluhi looks to be in more serious danger, and she abandons her hold to play defense as the round ends. 10-9 Pa’aluhi.

Round 2

Pa’aluhi hits Gomes with a kick to the midsection, ducks into the pocket to deliver another while Gomes swings wide hooks with both hands. Pa’aluhi switches to leg kicks but stays inside too long and gets clipped with a left from Gomes. She snaps back Gomes’ head with a jab, ducks low and pops back up to be greeted by a pair of hooks from the Brazilian. Another body kick scores for Pa’aluhi, then a knee to the body as she pulls Gomes into a Thai clinch. The next clinch knee from Pa’aluhi sends Gomes to the ground in pain, and the Hawaiian is trying to capitalize with ground-and-pound as referee England looks on from a foot away. Gomes survives and rolls to her back, but Pa’aluhi stands and passes to side control as she dives back to the ground with one minute left. Gomes gets to her knees, then turtles up as Pa’aluhi spins to take the back. A couple more punches from Pa’aluhi soften up Gomes for a rear-naked choke attempt. Pa’aluhi can’t get under the chin and finishes the round on Gomes’ back with one hook in. 10-9 Pa’aluhi.

Round 3

Gomes comes out hot to start the final round, clipping Pa’aluhi with a couple haymakers and then rushing her to the ground. Pa’aluhi stands up and is pushed against the fence by Gomes, who hits a high double-leg to bring the fight back to the floor. Gomes works from Pa’aluhi’s closed guard, peppering the American with short left hands to the ribs. Pa’aluhi throws up a triangle, but Gomes stands up and slips out. Gomes puts herself right back in triangle position as she comes back to the mat; “India” escapes this one, too, and winds up back in Pa’aluhi’s guard with half the round remaining. Gomes stands and tries to get better position as she drops to her knees, but Pa’aluhi keeps her in guard. Pa’aluhi is wrapping Gomes up from underneath, not letting much get through. Gomes avoids another brief triangle attempt, stands and dodges upkicks. Gomes delivers a couple kicks to the legs of her prone opponent and sits back down to finish the fight on top. 10-9 Gomes (29-28 Pa’aluhi).

The Official Result

Raquel Pa’aluhi def. Ediane Gomes via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Amanda Bell vs. Faith Van Duin

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for this featherweight bout. Bell comes out swinging but is quickly wrapped and hustled to the ground. Van Duin postures up in Bell’s half guard, then has to slow down to fend off an armbar. Bell rolls through underneath, grabbing for Van Duin’s left leg, but Van Duin stays heavy on top and doesn’t allow Bell to isolate the limb. Bell rolls to her knees, still trying for a kneebar, but Van Duin turns the corner and takes her back. Van Duin peels off to try an armbar of her own; the hold looks tight, but Bell flips over and releases the pressure, then sits up to drop hammer fists on Van Duin’s face. Van Duin abandons the armbar and winds up on bottom with Bell in side control on her right. Bell postures up to punch, gets kicked away and comes back to keep Van Duin on the ground. Van Duin is still hunting for an armbar, but instead she catches Bell in a loose inverted triangle. Bell pulls her head free and lands a couple more shots to the face of Van Duin, who drives forward on a single-leg but stalls out on her knees. Bell maintains top position before pulling guard to attempt a heel hook with 30 seconds on the clock. Van Duin rides out the remainder of the round defending against the submission. 10-9 Bell.

Round 2

Van Duin catches a kick and rushes Bell to the ground again, then attempts a no-hooks rear-naked choke as Bell tries to stand. It looks like Bell might be able to escape as she gets to her knees, but Van Duin stays glued on, cranking the choke until Bell slaps the canvas in submission.

The Official Result

Faith Van Duin def. Amanda Bell via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R2 0:38

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Vanessa Porto

Round 1

Mike England is the referee for this 128-pound catchweight bout, a rematch of a 2008 encounter which Modafferi won via third-round stoppage. The fighters exchange low kicks, then Modafferi counters Porto’s next kick with a right hand over the top. Modafferi moves in circles around Porto, flicking out jabs to the body and head while the Brazilian remains relatively stationary in the center. Porto tries a few front kicks but can’t get into range. Modafferi catches the Brazilian turning around on a kick and zaps her with a right hand, but Porto gets hold of the “Happy Warrior” and drags her to the ground. Modafferi keeps a high guard from the bottom with 90 seconds left in the opening round. She switches to a body triangle and throws punches from underneath, while Porto shoulder-shrugs her face on top. Modafferi leans left, looking for a kimura and then transitioning to an armbar, but time runs out. 10-9 Modafferi.

Round 2

Porto decks Modafferi with a standing forearm to the face, but Modafferi gets one back with a straight right. Modafferi tries a turning kick and gets clipped coming around with a Porto right hand. Porto doesn’t keep Modafferi on the floor, and she denies a takedown attempt when Modafferi catches a high kick and tries to convert. Halfway through the round and the bout, Porto knocks Modafferi sideways with a blocked high kick. Modafferi scores with a pair of punches down the pipe before she’s slammed to the ground. It’s rubber guard from Modafferi, neutralizing Porto’s top offense as the final 90 seconds of the round tick down. Porto isn’t doing much on top, just burying her head and keeping tight while Modafferi peppers with short punches. With 20 seconds left, Porto backs out. Modafferi follows and the women finish the round on their feet. 10-9 Porto.

Round 3

Porto lands a leg kick, sticks a jab and pushes Modafferi backward with a front kick to the stomach. Modafferi is keeping busy with her hands, though not landing cleanly as Porto mostly stays outside of the taller woman’s range. Modafferi rushes in and gets caught with a right-handed counter. Porto counters a jab with a kick to Modafferi’s body, then answers a leg kick with a straight right. Modafferi continues to cut angles on the outside while Porto stakes out the center of the cage. Both women stick jabs simultaneously, then Porto scores with a left hook and backs out to leave Modafferi swinging. Ninety seconds left and the fighters continue to duke it out on the feet. A push kick backs up Modafferi, but she comes back with a straight right that splits Porto’s guard. A stiff jab lands for Modafferi, then a low kick, and she evades Porto’s counterpunches. Porto tries a high double-leg in the final seconds, can’t get it, then comes back and rushes Modafferi to the ground. Modafferi pops right back up and charges at Porto with punches just as time expires. 10-9 Porto (29-28 Porto).

The Official Result

Vanessa Porto def. Roxanne Modafferi via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Invicta FC Strawweight Title Fight:
Katja Kankaanpaa vs. Livia Renata Souza

Round 1

John McCarthy is the referee for tonight’s 115-pound title fight, with judges Henry Gueary, Jackson Harper and Brett Miller scoring at cageside. Souza flicks out a few leg kicks to open the fight as Kankaanpaa tries to press inside. Once the champ gets in the pocket, however, it’s Souza tying up and working for a takedown. Kankaanpaa reverses as they hit the ground and winds up in Souza’s open guard at the base of the fence. Souza throws up a triangle, can’t get it and then closes her guard around Kankaanpaa, who puts a few good left hands on her challenger’s ribs. The fighters scramble up, and Kankaanpaa shoves Souza against the cage with an underhook. There’s not much action in the clinch until Souza reaps the outside leg and trips Kankaanpaa to the canvas. The Brazilian jumps on Kankaanpaa’s back and secures the position with a body triangle, then drops punches when the champ rolls to her knees. Souza hunts for a rear-naked choke, working to snake her right arm underneath Kankaanpaa’s chin as the round enters its final minute. Kankaanpaa keeps her chin tucked and fights off the choke, relieving the pressure by pushing up on Souza’s elbow. Souza abandons the choke and finishes the round on Kankaanpaa’s back, throwing punches. 10-9 Souza.

Round 2

Souza closes the distance and tries to rush Kankaanpaa to the ground, but the “Killer Bunny” shakes her off and sends a straight punch down the middle before putting her challenger on the fence. Kankaanpaa pins Souza there with an underhook and pops her with a couple short right hands. Souza trips her to the ground and jumps on her back again, but this time Kankaanpaa is wise to it and quickly escapes out the back door. Now it’s Kankaanpaa on top in Souza’s half guard, leaning right to left and landing short right hands, while Souza attempts to kick off the cage and escape. Kankaanpaa flattens out the Brazilian, then gets swept as Souza shifts underneath and threatens with a heel hook. Souza is on top with 90 seconds left, using a can opener to break Kankaanpaa’s posture. Kankaanpaa sits up and drives forward on a leg, and the strawweights wind up in a whizzer against the fence. Souza traps Kankaanpaa against the cage and tries to drag her to the ground once more before the bell, but she cannot. 10-9 Kankaanpaa.

Round 3

The fighters start round three with a bit of scrapping, Kankaanpaa appearing to get the better of the punching exchanges. As she’s pushed against the cage, Souza jumps guard. Kankaanpaa sits up on top and pops the challenger with five or six good right hands to the face before Souza swings her legs around to threaten with an armbar. Souza closes her guard around Kankaanpaa, who scores with more short right hands, then goes body-head on the other side. Kankaanpaa advances to half guard on Souza’s left and bloodies the Brazilian’s nose with elbows. Souza sweeps with another heel hook attempt, and the women scramble up to their feet with about two minutes on the clock. Kankaanpaa holds Souza against the fence to deliver a hard knee to the gut. Souza reverses, tries a trip, can’t get it and instead jumps guard with a guillotine. Kankaanpaa shakes her off and winds up on top, in Souza’s guard for the last 30 seconds of the round. 10-9 Kankaanpaa.

Round 4

Kankaanpaa opens the round with a left hook to the body and a right up top. She backs up Souza toward the fence, then has to step back as Souza launches a left high kick. A pair of uppercuts land for Kankaanpaa, then a knee as she catches Souza with her head low, shooting at the champion’s legs. Kankaanpaa pushes her to the ground and comes down in Souza’s half guard to try on a loose headlock. Souza’s head pops loose, and she pushes Kankaanpaa back to full guard with three minutes left in the fourth. Souza scores with elbows from underneath; Kankaanpaa throws perfunctory left hands at the Brazilian’s ribs. At the two-minute warning, Souza isolates Kankaanpaa’s right arm and stretches it out, then throws up her legs and catches Kankaanpaa in a triangle. Souza gives up on the armbar to concentrate on the triangle, but Kankaanpaa is stacking up well, giving herself some breathing room. Souza is tenacious, squeezing on the choke while throwing elbows at the top of Kankaanpaa’s head. Kankaanpaa’s posture breaks, and with nowhere left to go, she taps out. Livia Renata Souza is the new Invicta FC strawweight champion.

The Official Result

Livia Renata Souza def. Katja Kankaanpaa via Submission (Triangle Choke) R4 3:58