On Friday, Feb. 7, Invicta FC returned to Memorial Hall in Kansas City, KS for a six-fight card headlined by an atomweight title fight.
The main event of Invicta FC 39 was originally scheduled as a title defense for atomweight champion Jinh Yu Frey against challenger Ashley Cummins. But when Frey failed to make championship weight by less than a pound, she vacated the title. The fight, however, went ahead as scheduled with Cummins eligible to win the now-vacant belt, but Frey not.
The main event was a nip-tuck affair that took place almost exclusively on the feet. After five rounds of action, Frey walked away with a unanimous decision, drawing the ire of the Cummins-supporting crowd in attendance. While Cummins was generally the more active striker overall, Frey landed the bigger, more impactful shots.
With Frey winning, the atomweight title will remain vacant.
In the co-main event, Phoenix Series one-night tournament winner Miranda Maverick out-grappled former title challenger Pearl Gonzalez to clear decision victory. With the win, Maverick is presumed to be the next challenger for flyweight champion Vanessa Porto’s title. The 22-year old Maverick has long-been one of Invicta’s top prospects, and it’s entirely possible the UFC picks her up soon, even before a fight with Porto can be scheduled.
Lower on the card, 20-year old top prospect Erin Blanchfield turned in one of the best knockouts in the promotion’s history. After dropping Victoria Leonardo with a head kick in the first round, Blanchfield landed a second in the next round, slumping Leonardo over and earning the finish.
Invicta FC 39 official results:
- Jinh Yu Frey def. Ashley Cummins via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 48-47)
- Miranda Maverick def. Pearl Gonzalez via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
- Alesha Zappitella def. Kelly D’Angelo via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
- Erin Blanchfield def. Victoria Leonardo via knockout (head kick), round 2 – 2:06
- Jillian DeCoursey def. Linda Mihalec via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
- Monica Franco def. Kristina Pettigrew via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-26)
Invicta FC 39 highlights:
https://twitter.com/UFCFightPass/status/1225968659916578820
Erin Blanchfield drops her! #InvictaFC39 pic.twitter.com/hRs8q4dXOi
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 8, 2020
That close… #InvictaFC39 pic.twitter.com/tdqaAigtTf
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) February 8, 2020
