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| (Image Source: Invicta Fighting Championships) |
Invicta Fighting Championships will once again touch down in Colorado’s capital, hosting Invicta FC 52: Machado vs. McCormack from Reelworks Denver on March 15, 2023 (Wednesday). The event will feature the first title defense for strawweight champion Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (12-3), who collides with Ireland’s Danni “Mac” McCormack (6-2). Both fighters were in action at Invicta FC 50 in November, with Machado defeating both Karolina Wójcik and Ediana Silva to capture the 115-pound tournament and championship belt. McCormack was also victorious that night, besting Brazilian Maira Mazar on the scorecards.
In the night’s co-main event, the aforementioned Karolina “Polish Assassin” Wójcik (10-3) and Ediana “Mel Pitbull” Silva (12-3) look to rebound after falling short in their most recent bouts. Wójcik topped UFC veteran Gloria de Paula to reach the strawweight tournament final before dropping a decision to the champion Machado. Silva similarly pushed Machado to the limits in their semifinal match-up, but ultimately fell short in the eyes of the judges. Also on the card, undefeated Mexican bantamweight Montserrat “Monster” Rendon (5-0) meets fellow countrywoman Maria “Leona” Favela (4-2), Hong Kong native Ramona Pascual (6-5) returns to the Invicta cage to face Dutch newcomer Kaylee Vos (2-2) in a featherweight bout, and Colombia’s Sayury Cañon (2-0) takes on fellow strawweight newcomer Amanda Macioce (1-0).
Meanwhile, two-time atomweight title challenger Minna “Brutsku” Grusander (6-4) of Finland moves to the 115-pound division to take on undefeated Irish athlete Shauna “Mama B” Bannon (4-0). Grusander will step into the Invicta cage for the first time since 2018, when she pushed then-champion Jinh Yu Frey to the limit on two occasions. Bannon, meanwhile, made a successful promotional debut in September and will aim to keep her perfect record intact. Finally, also in the strawweight division, red-hot prospect Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (3-0) looks to continue her ascension through the ranks when she welcomes Russian judoka Natalia “Kuzya” Kuziutina (1-0) to the organization. New York’s Kline showcased her well-rounded attack in January, besting Ultimate Fighter veteran Laura Gallardo on the scorecards. American Top Team’s Kuziutina earned an Olympic bronze medal in 2016, but has recently turned her attention toward mixed martial arts.
Invicta FC 52: Machado vs. McCormack will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. It kicks off at 9:00 pm ET/8:00 pm CT/7:00 pm MT/6:00 pm PT and airs live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page (March 16, 9:00 am PHT/HKT/SGT), AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, Fox Sports in Mexico, Globo’s Combate in Brazil, DirecTV across Latin America, Viaplay and Match TV in Europe and Star Times across Africa.
