Invicta FC 20 Results: Play-by-Play & Updates

Samantha Diaz vs. Miranda Maverick

Round 1

Diaz counters a lazy low kick with a left hand. Maverick lands a left of her own in an exchange and the fighters tie up against the fence. They separate and Diaz lands a two-punch combination. Maverick forces the clinch again and presses her foe into the fence. Maverick slams Diaz to the floor but Diaz immediately frames an armbar. Diaz uses the maneuver to sweep into top position, but Maverick responds with a sweep of her own. Maverick ends up on Diaz’s back in a scramble with a little more than a minute to go. Maverick gets both hooks in and locks in what looks to be a deep rear-naked choke. Diaz attempts to punch her way out of the predicament. Maverick maintains her grip, however, and Diaz is forced to tap out.

The Official Result

Miranda Maverick def. Samantha Diaz via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke) R1 4:26

Stephanie Egger vs. Alexa Conners

Round 1

Conners lands a low kick and then connects with a few quick punches to the head. Conners backs Egger into the fence and flurries with punches. Egger gets off the fence but absorbs a low kick. Egger marches forward now, lunging with punches. Conners lands another two-punch combination. Egger tries to close the distance but she can’t track the quicker Conners down. Conners uses some good head movement to dodge Egger punches as she moves off the cage. Conner catches Egger with a nice right hand in an exchange. Eggers marches forward, misses most of her punches but lands a body kick. A botched superman punch by Conners briefly allows Egger to take her opponent’s back. Egger hunts for a rear-naked choke, but Conners gets out. Conners eats a knee as she returns to her feet. Conners flurries and gets the better of one final exchange before the round ends. 10-9 Conners

Round 2

Egger lands a couple kicks to Conners lead leg to begin the frame. Egger punches her way into the clinch and lands a couple right hands in close quarters. Egger lands a body kick followed by a right hand. Egger is staying persistent with attacks on the lead leg in the early going. Conners presses the action and attacks with Egger backed into the cage. Conners lands a side kick to the mid-section. Egger answers with another low kick. Egger is countering Conners pressure more effectively with right hands. Conner finds a home for a hard right hand, then a right to the head and the body. Conners finds the range on another right in an exchange. Conners again ends the round with pressure and a flurry of punches with Egger’s back near the fence. 10-9 Conners

Round 3

Egger lands a couple low kicks early as Conners moves forward. The fighters trade leg kicks, then Conners moves in and out, landing punches. Egger finds the range on her jab. Conners loads up and lands a looping right hook. Egger forces the action and lands a knee to the body in the clinch before they separate. Conners again traps Egger near the fence, picking her spots to land punches as Egger appears to be fading. Conners is picking up the intensity of her attack and a couple more right hands get through. Conners easily brushes off a takedown attempt from Egger. Conners wobbles Egger with a hard right hand, and Conners smells blood. Conners is teeing off now and Mike Englund calls for a pause. Conners thinks she has won, but it’s only to re-insert Egger’s mouthpiece. Conners continues to press the action, as she punishes Egger while she stands as a target with her back to the fence. The round ends with Conners continuing her assault. 10-8 Conners (30-26 Conners)

The Official Result

Alexa Conners def. Stephanie Egger via Split Decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) R3 5:00

J.J. Aldrich vs. Lynn Alvarez

Round 1

Aldrich begins pressuring in the center of the cage from her southpaw stance. Aldrich connects with a two-punch combo that briefly stuns Alvarez. Aldrich fires off a push kick and then Alvarez ducks under a hook. Alvarez lands a right hand. Alvarez lands a quick combination. Alvarez lands a low kick. Aldrich forces the clinch and Alvarez responds with a kick to the body. Aldrich answers a pair of kicks with a punching combination. The strawweights tie up and Aldrich lands a knee to the face. Aldrich connects with a knee to the body as they briefly clinch again. Aldrich pushes Alvarez against the fence after a spinning back fist. Alvarez utilizes the Thai plum and lands a nice knee to the body. They separate as time expires. 10-9 Aldrich

Round 2

Aldrich lands a low kick and continues stalking Alvarez. Alvarez is able to get off the fence with a combination. Alvarez counters with a nice right hand. Aldrich fires back with a right of her own. Alvarez absorbs a kick to the body from Aldrich. Aldrich moves in and lands a punching combination. Alvarez lands a kick to the body followed by a two-punch combo upstairs. Aldrich tags Alvarez with a straight left. Alvarez connects with another hard kick to the body, but Aldrich walks through it, landing a jumping front kick. Aldrich snaps Alvarez’s head back with a couple straight left hands. Aldrich lands a right hook followed by an uppercut. Swelling is beginning to develop near Alvarez’s left eye. Aldrich lands a kick to the body then blocks an Alvarez high kick. Alvarez charge forward, Aldrich ducks under her foe’s punches and lands a takedown. She pummels Alvarez with punches from the back, then continues to punish Alvarez as she returns to her feet. Alvarez’s left eye is a mess as the round ends. 10-9 Aldrich.

Round 3

Aldrich ties up with Alvarez, who tries to bully her foe against the cage. They separate quickly and Aldrich lands an elbow on the break. Aldrich finds the range on a jab, then follows up with a kick to the body. Alvarez lands a hard right hand, only to see Aldrich come back with a multi-punch combo upstairs. Aldrich again connects with a kick to the body. Aldrich continues to get the better of punching exchanges. Aldrich peppers Alvarez with her jab, then connects with a left hand on the chin. Another left hand finds its mark for Aldrich. Aldrich remains in control, jabbing and mixing in hard left hands. They tie up and trade blows during a wild exchange in the clinch as time expires. 10-9 Aldrich (30-27 Aldrich)

The Official Result

J.J. Aldrich def. Lynn Alvarez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27) R3 5:00

Jessica-Rose Clark vs. Pam Sorenson

Round 1

After a brief exchange the fighters tie up. Sorensen lands a take down but Rose-Clark rolls through, gets up and lands a knee. They continue to jockey for position against the fence. Rose-Clark gets double underhooks and lands a couple knees. Sorenson fights off a takedown trie and then gets an underhook and tries to get Rose-Clark down. Rose-Clark fends off the trie nicely and they stay tied up. The grinding battle continues for a while and they finally separate with about a minute to go. They spend the remainder of the round standing, but neither gains a significant advantage. 10-10

Round 2

Rose-Clark lands a jab to begin the frame. Sorenson initiates the clinch but gets pushed backwards into the fence. Rose-Clark gets underhooks and trips her opponent down. Rose-Clark is in top position, but Sorenson creates some space and hunts for an armbar. Sorenson adjusts and lands elbows from her back with Rose-Clark trapped in something of a triangle. Rose-Clark frees her head and drops an elbow from above. Clark tries to slam Sorenson, but Sorenson defends well, briefly threatening with an armbar again. Sorenson lands a couple more elbows from her back, then goes back to the armbar. They’re close to the fence, and Rose-Clark is able to defend and escape. They stand and Sorenson lands a nice right hand-left hook combo. Sorenson maintains distance with push kicks. Rose-Clark lands a stiff left hand near the end of the round 10-9 Sorenson

Round 3

Sorenson lands a jab then keeps Rose-Clark at bay with a couple push kicks. Sorenson connects with a hard left hand. Rose-Clark answers quickly and appears to be OK. Rose-Clark lands a hard kick to the lead leg. Sorenson forces a clinch and drags Rose-Clark down. Sorenson is on Rose-Clark’s back, but might be too high. Rose-Clark is trying to shake her off and she does, winding up in Sorenson’s guard. Sorenson goes to a high guard and lands more elbows from her back. The fighters stand, with Sorenson attempting to control distance with push kicks. Rose-Clark counters with a straight right hand. Rose-Clark with a leg kick, then lands a couple left hands. Sorenson pumps her jab in Rose-Clark’s face. Rose-Clark catches Sorenson coming forward and counters. The combatants exchange and then tie up as time expires. 10-9 Sorenson (30-28 Sorenson)

The Official Result

Pam Sorenson def. Jessica Rose-Clark via Split Decision (30-27, 28-29, 30-27) R3 5:00

Amber Brown vs. Ashley Yoder

Round 1

Brown fires off a lead leg kick to begin things, then continues to attack the leg before landing a takedown 30 seconds in. Yoder does a good job neutralizing Brown with her guard, but Brown continues to work diligently to pass guard. She gradually works her way to full mount, where she remains heavy on top. Yoder regains half guard, then full guard. Brown keeps the pressure on, however, but suddenly Yoder transitions to an omaplata. Brown steps over to relieve pressure on her shoulder but gives up top position in the process. Now Yoder is on top, moving from half guard to side control. Yoder lands some short elbows to Brown’s face, then steps over to the head for an armbar. Brown spins out of trouble. Yoder briefly grabs a toe hold but Brown pulls free. The round ends with Yoder on top, landing elbows. 10-9 Yoder

Round 2

Brown lands an inside leg kick. Yoder connects with a one-two combination. Yoder is throwing powerful right hands. Brown responds with another kick to the lead leg, just dodging a huge punch from Yoder. Yoder changes levels for a double-leg takedown, and Brown is on her back. Yoder tries to pass to mount but Brown scrambles to her feet and secures double underhooks near the fence. Brown tries to drag her foe down, but Yoder winds up on top. Yoder looks for an armbar while sitting on Brown’s chest. She pummels Brown with hammerfists as the arm is isolated. Yoder then recommits to the armbar. Brown gives the thumbs up, but Yoder goes belly down and Brown can’t hang on any longer. Yoder elicits the tapout in a wildly entertaining sequence.

The Official Result

Ashley Yoder def. Amber Brown via Submission (Armbar) R2 2:31

Herica Tiburcio vs. Simona Soukupova

Round 1

Tiburico opens up with a kick to the lead leg followed by a right hand over the top. Tiburcio connects with a pair of nice right hands. It’s a quick pace in the early going, but Tiburcio is mixing her punches and kicks nicely, and the Brazlian rattles Soukupova with a right hand. Soukupova answers with a hard left hand. Tiburcio changes levels and plants Soukupova on the canvas. Soukupova does a good job keeping Tiburcio in guard. Tiburicio pushes Soukupova into the fence and stacks the guard.. Tiburcio lands several right hands to the ribs of her opponent. Tiburcio stands as Soukupova attempts to create separation and flurries with standing-to-ground punches. Tiburcio is back in Soukupova’s guard, where she lands short right hands. Soukupova is finally able to push Tiburcio off of her and get up. Soukupova shoves Tiburcio away and tries to apply pressure on the feet as time runs out in the stanza. 10-9 Tiburcio

Round 2

Tiburcio doubles up on her jab. Tiburcio continues to mix up punches and kicks, maintaining a high output. Tiburcio backs up Soukupova with a left hand and follows up with a leg kick. Soukupova tries to answer but Tiburcio is opening up with punches near the fence. Tiburcio gives up on the clinch and they’re back in the center of the cage. Soukupova ’s face is showing some damage as Tiburcio continues to connect with punching combinations. Soukupova lands a left. The Englishwoman tries to get inside and the competitors trade blows in the clinch. Tiburcio finds a home for a right hand over the top. Tiburcio has initiated most of the offensive exchanges. Soukupov lands a solid right hand but Tiburcio walks through it. Soukupova stuffs a takedown with 15 seconds to go and they continue to exchange as time runs out. 10-9 Tiburcio

Round 3

Soukupova starts out as the aggressor, but Tiburcio is countering effectively. Soukupova lands another hard right hand. Tiburcio appears to be unfazed. Soukupova forces the clinch and pushes Tiburcio into the fence. The fighters trade knees from the position. Tiburcio stays busy throwing knees with her back against the fence. Soukupova has double underhooks and grinds away, landing knees to the thighs and body. Soukupova creates some separation and lands a short elbow. Tiburcio finally shoves Soukupova away. Soukupova lands a sharp right hand as she pressures Tiburcio near the fence. Tiburcio lands a kick to the body and Soukupova responds with a kick to the leg. A left hook from Soukupova appears to hurt Tiburcio, and she ties up the Brazilian against the fence. Tiburcio creates some separation with an elbow, then dives for a takedown, which Soukupova defends. Tiburcio ends up on top in a scramble, and Soukupova tries to secure a triangle from her back as time runs out. 10-9 Soukupova (29-28 Tiburcio)

The Official Result

Herica Tiburcio def. Simona Soukupova via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) R3 5:00

Invicta FC Strawweight Title Fight:
Angela Hill vs. Kaline Medeiros

Round 1

It’s an extended feeling-out process early. Medeiros lands a few lead leg kicks, but Hill counters with a jab. Both fighters miss powerful punches. Hill lands a knee but Medeiros times it and takes Hill down. Hill is working her guard up for a triangle. Hill has the triangle and pulls down on Medeiros head, but the choke isn’t secured. Hill lands some elbows from her back as well. Hilll adjusts the hold. Medeiros stands and stacks Hill. “The Ultimate Fighter 20” vet transitions to an armbar. Medeiros frees herself and they’re standing in the center of the cage with less than a minute to go. Medeiros lands a body kick, which Hill catches but can’t capitalize. Medeiros attempts a takedown as time runs down, but Hill defends it and lands a punch. 10-9 Hill

Round 2

Hill lands a right hand. Medeiros attempts a spinning back kick but Hill moves out of the way. Medeiros shoots from the outside but Hill defends. They clinch briefly before separating. Hill easily dodges an overhand from Medeiros. Hill catches a kick and shoves Medeiros down. Medeiros pops up and muscles Hill down to the canvas near the fence. Medeiros works to take her foe’s back while landing left hands to the side of Hill’s head. Hill shakes Medeiros off and circles away. Medeiros has a takedown stuffed and Hill lands a right hand on the break. Hill with a lead kick to the body. Medeiros goes back to the well with a spinning kick but does minimal damage. Hill ducks under a Medeiros punch and counters with a short hook. Hill steps off and lands a right hand. Medeiros answers with a hard right hand. Medeiros catches a kick, briefly takes Hill down, but Hill quickly gets up and the end the frame in the clinch. 10-9 Medeiros

Round 3

Medeiros grabs a single leg but Hill maintains her balance. Medeiros then switches to a double-leg and drives against the fence. Medeiros tries for a trip but ends up pulling Hill on top of her. Hill works from half guard, landing the occasional short elbow to the head of Medeiros. Medeiros is doing her best to neutralize Hill, and referee Greg Franklin urges the fighters to work. Hill stands and lets Medeiros come with her. Medeiros tags Hill with a hard right hand as they break from the clinch. A high kick by Hill allows Medeiros to land a takedown. After a scramble, Hill is back up with less than 10 seconds remaining. 10-9 Hill

Round 4

Hill steps off at an angle at a charging Medeiros and counters. Medeiros lands an outside leg kick. Hill rifles a jab through Medeiros’ guard. Medeiros lands a spinning back fist, which prompts a hard body kick in return from Hill. Medeiros finds the range on a jab. Hill counters Medeiros with a right hand. Medeiros is bleeding from her nose. For the most part, neither fighter is finding her range in this frame. Medeiros lands a push kick to the body and right hand. However, Hill responds with a right of her own. Medeiros ducks under a Hill punch and lands a takedown, but Hill rolls right into top position. Hill ends the period on top. 10-9 Hill

Round 5

The combatants touch gloves as the final round begins. Medeiros lands a leg kick. Hill’s movement still looks sharp even after four completed rounds. Hill finds a home for her jab. Hill lands a low kick and right hand, which prompts a furious flurry of punches from Medeiros. Hill avoid any serious damage and goes back to landing her jab. Hill is blending low kicks with punches. Hill ducks under a right hand and lands a right hook to the body. Hill lands a clean right hand. Hill lands a kick to the body, which Medeiros catches but lets go. Hill continues to chip away with low kicks. Hill lands a solid kick to the body. Hill steps off at an angle and lands a right hand. Medeiros pressures and Hill bounces off the cage and circles out of danger. Hill moves her head off the center line and lands an overhand right followed up by a straight right. The fighters trade punches over the final 10 seconds, with Hill landing a left hand as time expires. 10-9 Hill (49-46 Hill)

The Official Result

Angela Hill def. Kaline Medeiros via Unanimous Decision (50-45, 49-46, 48-47) R5 5:00

Invicta FC Bantamweight Title Fight:
Tonya Evinger vs. Yana Kunitskaya

Round 1

Evinger wastes little time landing a single leg takedown. Kunitskaya is warned for landing elbows to the back of the head and then for grabbing the cage. Evinger sets up shop in half guard near the fence. The champ keeps the pressure on and an elbow to the face gets through. Kunitskaya is working her legs up for an armbar. Evinger puts her knee on her foe’s face. Referee Mike England warns Evinger not to put her foot on her opponent’s face. Evinger tries to place her heel on Kunitskaya’s face to pry her arm free. Evinger’s arm looks to be fully extended. The champion can’t yank her arm free and Evinger has no choice but to tap out with her free hand. Kunitskaya is the new Invicta FC bantamweight champion, and Evinger’s nin- fight winning streak has come to an end.

The Official Result

Yana Kunitskaya def. Tonya Evinger via Submission (Armbar) R1 1:59