Two Title Fights Headline Invicta FC’s Debut Card on AXS TV

Championship gold in the strawweight and atomweight divisions will be on the line when Invicta Fighting Championships makes its debut on AXS TV next month.

The promotion announced Wednesday that Invicta on AXS TV will be headlined by a clash between Karina Rodriguez and Daiana Torquato for the vacant 125-pound belt on May 21. In the co-main event, Alesha Zappitella will defend her 105-pound title against Jessica Correa Delboni.

Five other bouts were confirmed for the card: Emily Ducote vs. Liz Tracy at strawweight; Taneisha Tennant vs. Hope Chase at bantamweight; Juliana Miller vs. Claire Guthrie at flyweight; Josee Storts vs. Maria Favela at flyweight and Fatima Kline vs. Ariana Melendez at strawweight.

Mexico’s Rodriguez has compiled a 4-2 mark with Invicta since 2017 and is coming off a decision loss to current Bellator talent Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 38 in November 2019. She owns notable wins over DeAnna Bennett and Milana Dudieva and is 8-4 as a professional overall.

Torquato will enter her promotional debut on a seven-bout winning streak compiled on the regional circuit in Brazil. The 30-year-old Thai Brazil representative is 9-3 as a professional with five of her wins coming inside the distance.

Zappitella captured the atomweight crown in her last outing, as she submitted Ashley Cummins with a fourth-round shoulder choke at Invicta FC 42 in September 2020. “Half Pint” has won her last three bouts within the all-female organization.

Delboni competed on that same card, earning a three-round verdict against ex-champ Herica Tiburcio. The 27-year-old Parana Vale Tudo product has won three of her last four bouts, a stretch that also includes a triumph against Lindsey VanZandt.