Barb Honchak successfully defended her Invicta FC flyweight title with a unanimous decision win over challenger Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith in the main event of Invicta FC 7.
Meanwhile, Lauren Murphy became the company’s first bantamweight champ with a TKO stoppage win over Miriam Nakamoto in the fourth round. The Queen of Mean suffered a gruesome injury to her right knee while being taken down and could not continue.
Brazilian challenger Claudia Gadelha bowed out with an illness late, forcing the cancellation of her bout with strawweight champion Carla Esparza.
Esparza promptly called out Tecia Torres after she defeated Felice Herrig.
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MMA Crossfire Experts Cassie Wiseman and Kenai Andrews breaks down the three title fights.
Cassie is a mixed martial artist with over five years of study. Training primarily in South Korea, she has black belts in Taekwondo, Hapkido, and Muay Thai kickboxing. A proud Canadian from Roberts Arm, Newfoundland, she files for The Crossfire having recently returned from South Korea. She also blogs for Postmedia Networks’ Womens Fight Club website.. Image courtesy Steve Bartlett
INVICTA FC 7:
Barb Honchak and Leslie Smith exchange at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Wiseman: In the main event of the evening, Barb Honchak defended the Invicta FC flyweight title against Leslie Smith, pouring it on with her striking and wrestling over the course of five rounds to take a unanimous decision win.
Honchak won as a +150 champion dog, while Smith lost at -190.
In the co-main event of the evening, Lauren Taylor defeated Miriam Nakamoto by fourth-round TKO (injury). Nakamoto blew out her knee and Murphy became the first champion in her division.
Lauren Murphy and Miriam Nakamoto exchange at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Miriam Nakamoto is dejected after being unable to continue during her match against Lauren Murphy at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
In a flyweight bout, Vanessa Porto defeated Zoila Gurgel via unanimous decision. Porto looked great in the second and third rounds to win.
Vanessa Porto vs Zoila Frausto. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Vanessa Porto vs Zoila Frausto. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Unfortunately, Gurgel needs to add more to her arsenal as to not disappear with all the talent coming up in the division.
In a bantamweight fight, Tonya Evinger took out Sarah D’Alelio via unanimous decision. Evinger took the last two rounds with her wrestling to win.
Sarah D’Alelio vs Tonya Evinger (in picture). Esther Lin/Invicta FC
The key to this fight proved to be the fact that D’Alelio took it on short notice, as she just didn’t have the gas to go all three rounds strong.
In a strawweight bout, the entire WMMA world is left talking about the performance of Tecia Torres who defeated Felice Herrig via unanimous decision. Torres showed she is in the top for a title bout. From her striking to her aggression she was certainly able to out class the talented Felice Herrig.
Tecia Torres strikes Felica Herrig at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Tecia Tores and straw weight champion Carla Esparza. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Joanne Calderwood, always impressive, outlasted Katja Kankaapaa to win a unanimous decision. The secret was solid striking and powerful takedown defence.
Joanne Calderwood kicks Katja Kankaanpaa at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Joanne Calderwood vs Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Joanne Calderwood vs Katja Kankaanpaa. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Julia Budd defeated Charmaine Tweet via unanimous decision. Tweet couldn’t seem to get anything going to counter the wrestling of Budd.
Julia Budd vs Charmaine – a all Canadian matchup at Invicta FC 7. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Julia Budd vs Charmaine Tweet. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
Julia Budd (in picture) vs Charmaine Tweet. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
This has led Budd to be put into talks of a title shot against the always destructive Cyborg.
Nina Ansaroff vs Munah Holland. Esther Lin/Invicta FC
She took out Munah Holland via second-round TKO (punches). Ansaroff just looked like an absolute beast and completely dominated Holland.
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