Waterson Courtesy Esther Lin/InvictaFC
After an exciting weekend (and a few days to recover) our sights are set for Invicta’s upcoming cards. We know flyweight champion Barb Honchak will defend her title on the next one at a yet to be announced city and a yet to be announced date. Also that Mizuki Inoue and Ayaka Hamsaki will be on the card.
What lies in the future of the fighters after the InvictaFC 8 fallout though? We don’t expect any to make a quick turnaround for the next event, but here is what we would like to see.
Michelle Waterson vs. Ayaka Hamasaki/Amber Brown Winner
Hamasaki looked dominant in her 105 debut last month in Japan, defeating former title challenger Naho Sugiyama by TKO. Waterson needs a card or two rest, and Hamsaki is set to return to Invicta on the next card.
The most logical opponent is the #4 ranked Brown, as DEEP-JEWELS champion Seo Hee Ham has already fought Hamsaki before, and wants a US debut before thinking about a title match. Brown is 3-1 with a win over Kikuyo Ishikawa in Japan.
Katja Kankaanpaa vs. Karolina Kowalkiewicz/Mizuki Inoue Winner
Inoue made a huge impact in her InvictaFC debut defeating TUF 20 competitor Bec Rawlings. Heavy speculation is that the UFC is interested, but before the DEEP-JEWELS champ makes the move to the big time, she wants another world title.
Undefeated Polish sensation Kowalkiewicz is primed to make her US debut and is one of the several hot prospects out of Europe. She is in a position to take her game to the next level after defeating InvictaFC vet Jasminka Cive.
Tonya Evinger vs. Cyborg Justino
If all goes to plan, Cyborg is set to make the drop at InvictaFC 10 in December. It’s hard not to argue Evinger is the #1 contender for the vacant 135 title. InvictaFC president Shannion Knapp told us in the press conference she had “someone in mind” to face Justino. but plans could change and Evinger seems game to take on another Brazilian dropping to bantamweight.
Ediane Gomes Back at 145 Facing Amanda Bell
Although Gomes made the weight cut, she didn’t look to have as much energy and power in her loss to Evinger. She was solidly ranked at 145 and with Justino dropping, it maybe prudent to go back to persue the gold there.
Bell has had a resurgence since her win over Marina Shafir, and is looking to make waves again. A win over Gomes gets her in the title hunt.
DeAnna Bennett vs. Erika Almeida
Two undefeated fighters are looking to get in line for Honchak’s 125 title. In an active division with a boat load of contenders, a win gets both much closer.
Tara LaRosa vs. Michelle Ould
Ould was stating ring rust was part of the reason for her loss, and wants to get back to winning form. Tara LaRosa is just in the game for the fight now and these two vets of the game would make one hell of a fun fight.
Roxanne Modafferi vs. Munah Holland
Modafferi is no longer the fighter she was a year ago, and has found a resurgence at her proper fight weight of 125. Before testing deeper waters, Munah Holland would prove to be a proper test. Holland needs a win after her suffering back to back losses.
Irene Aldana vs. Miriam Nakamoto
The way both destroy opponents, this fight will give oohs and ahhs if it were announced. If they make it for the vacant belt all the more better. The fight sells itself.
Charmaine Tweet vs. Tamminka Brents
As we await the signing or more lightweights, this is the logical match to put together. Brents has been fighting at lightweight elsewhere and is actually fighting in a few weeks at that weight. With Tweet’s win, we could see this being a title match.
Alexa Grasso vs. Livia Renata Souza
Grasso proved that she can make a big impact on the world stage, and as the strawweights start rebuild and reorganize, fellow undefeated fighter Livia Renata Souza would make a great match-up for a future contender to the belt.
Sousa is known for her ground game, and would be a classic striker versus grappler battle.
Ashley Cummins at Atomweight
Cummins has lost by decision in her past two fights, and needs to make a change somewhere. A drop to atomweight would give her more size and power.
There are a lot of options for her including Stephanie Frausto, Cassie Robb, Liz McCarthy, and Jessica Phillippus.
Peggy Morgan at Featherweight
Morgan doesn’t look well at 135 making a huge cut down. She has lost power and looked weaker against Aldana. A move back to feather would give her power back and a chance at restarting her career.
Jodie Esquibel vs. Cassie Rodish
Rodish has a date at RFA but with a win, the atomweight will back in the title hunt. Esquibel is playing gatekeeper for her training partner Michelle Waterson, and this would be a great test for both fighters.
JJ Aldrich vs. Jenny Liou-Shiver
Both fighters are rising stars in their own right. Aldrich has been destroying opponents and impressed the main stream MMA media with her performance. Liou impressed UFC President Dana White with her ground game, so much that she gave her a few hundred for her submission win at the TUF 20 tryouts.
Both are the future of the strawweight division.
Filed under: MMA
