Invicta FC 15: "Cyborg vs Ibragimova" takes place TONIGHT (Sat., Jan. 16, 2015) from The Hangar at OC Fair in Costa Mesa, Calif., featuring a five-round featherweight showdown between women's division champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Justino and challenger Daria Ibragimova.
Also on the line is strawweight champion Livia Renata Souza's belt as she takes on undefeated DeAnna Bennett in the co-main event.
All the fights are streaming live online via UFC Fight Pass, starting at 9 p.m. ET. MMAmania.com will be here all night long to deliver LIVE results and play-by-play for the broadcast fights.
Many readers check in before, during and after the fights to share their thoughts on all of the action. Feel free to leave a comment about the bouts before you leave and chat with all the other Maniacs during the show -- it's always a lot of fun!
INVICTA FC 15 QUICK RESULTS:
145 lbs.: Cristiane Justino def. Daria Ibragimova via KO (punch) at 4:58 of Round 1
115 lbs.: Livia Renata Souza def. DeAnna Bennett via TKO (kick and punches) at 1:30 of Round 1
Catchweight (135 lbs.): Colleen Schneider def. Raquel Pa'aluhi via split decision (29-28 Schneider, 29-28 Pa'aluhi, 29-28 Schneider) *
105 lbs.: Amber Brown def. Shino VanHoose via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:36 of Round 1
115 lbs.: Mizuki Inoue def. Lacey Schuckman via submission (armbar) at 3:43 of Round 3
115 lbs.: Angela Hill def. Alida Gray via KO (knee) at 1:39 of Round 1
145 lbs.: Megan Anderson def. Amber Leibrock via TKO (punches) at 2:33 of Round 3
* Colleen Schneider missed weight
INVICTA FC 15 UFC FIGHT PASS MAIN CARD PLAY-BY-PLAY:
Featherweight championship: Cristiane Justino (14-1-0-1) vs. Daria Ibragimova (9-1)
Round 1: Big John McCarthy reffing the main event. Ibragimova is all smiles here. No touch of gloves. Huge overhand right misses into a single for Ibragimova and Cyborg stuffs it, using the cage to keep standing. Cyborg patiently lands punches and elbows to the head of Ibragimova, as she continues to hold the single leg here. Cyborg battering Ibragimova, who refuses to let go of the single leg. The patience almost pays off as she nearly gets Cyborg down for a second but pops back up and Ibragimova grabs the leg again.
Finally the two separate halfway through the round. Body shot from Cyborg hurts Ibragimova and follow up Muay Thai knees sends her running for her life. A mouse forming under the right eye of Ibragimova. Cyborg battering her now and she dives to the floor to escape. A single leg attempt again and Cyborg hops back to the cage while lands punches. Cyborg tees off with plenty of unanswered strikes. Ibragimova gets her down for a moment but gets punished for it. An absolutely insane punch drops Ibragimova and it's a brutal KO.
Official Result: Cristiane Justino def. Daria Ibragimova via KO (punch) at 4:58 of Round 1
The Champ makes a statement!! @CrisCyborg retains her belt! #InvictaFC15 https://t.co/umIvJFzGSv
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Strawweight championship: Livia Renata Souza (8-0) vs. DeAnna Bennett (8-0)
Round 1: Jason Herzog once again reffing for this title bout. Touch of gloves. Bennett wades in with punches but misses them all. Hard right hand lands for Souza. Front switch kick for Bennett lands. Overhand right for Souza and Bennett circles around her. Huge body kick for Souza! It's over! TKO at 1:30 into the fight!
Official Result: Livia Renata Souza def. DeAnna Bennett via TKO (kick and punches) at 1:30 of Round 1
WOW!!! @LivinhaMMA solidified her spot as the champ!! #InvictaFC15 https://t.co/B1cauJEoBk
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Catchweight (135 lbs.): Raquel Pa'aluhi (5-4) vs. Colleen Schneider (9-6)
Round 1: Big John McCarthy is back to ref the fifth fight. The fight seems to be delayed because some medical staff are needed cageside. Much much later... the fight starts. Schneider takes the center of the cage and opens with a side kick, returned by Raquel. The two trade left hooks at the exact same time. Raquel powers into a double but the cage prevents the takedown. Somebody is bleeding 45 seconds into this fight. Big left hand by Raquel. It's she whose nose is busted up already. Raquel trying desperately for a takedown, picks up Schneider and slams her despite a fence grab. Upkick lands for Schneider! They're back to their feet and Raquel pushes her against the fence with 3 minutes to go. Knees by Raquel early on and an elbow for Schneider on the break. A 1-2 lands for Raquel and the two reset.
Pawing jab for Raquel and Schneider lands a right leg kick. That blood seems to be bothering Raquel. Schneider with some great movement here and picking her counterpunches wisely. Spinning backkick by Schneider lands and Raquel shoots for a takedown. She almost gets it but Schneider bounces back up and they break away from the fence. Schneider switching stances over and over. She lands a head kick and Raquel shoots for a takedown, winds up on her back to finish the round. Easy 10-9 for Schneider though.
Round 2: Inside leg kick attempt leads to immediate takedown for Raquel. Schneider risks giving up her back and gets back to her feet. But Raquel has a body lock now against the cage and she drops down for a double and scores the takedown. Schneider gives up her back to stand back up and Raquel can't capitalize on the position. Another double leg but Schneider stuffs it and they reset in the center with 3:30 left. Spinning backfist mostly blocked for Schneider, who begins circling to the left along the cage. Another spinning attempt backfires badly as a right hand lands for Raquel.
Raquel with a body lock against the cage and she's winning this round with her grinding style. She's down for a second but bounces back up. Raquel is busted up as her left eye is really swelling up now. Schneider looks to be the fresher fighter here. Spinning heel kick misses for Schneider but a right hook lands. The round ends without much action in the final minute. 10-9 Pa'aluhi, 19-19.
Round 3: Weak leg kicks for Raquel to start the round. Schneider returns fire and Raquel tries to grab the leg, fails. Front kick for Schneider and a right hook lands. Huge right hand lands for Schneider and Raquel with a desperate level change works to get Schneider down. She gives up her back to stand back up. A knee to the body for Schneider and the two break. Schneider hands down, showboating. Spinning back kick misses badly, Chris Weidman style, and gives up her back. Raquel pushes her against the cage and tries to work knees, before dropping for a double leg and she scores it.
McCarthy warns Schneider for a wimpy 12-6 elbow on Raquel's spine. She stands back up but Raquel is on her like stank on a feral mutt. Schneider with an oblique kick that would make Joe Rogan happy. But Raquel uses it to close the distance and get the clinch again. Spinning backfist misses for Schneider. Another takedown attempt fails and Schneider breaks to the center of the cage. Low volume here for Schneider could be a mistake though. I'm going to give Schneider the final round 10-9. 29-28 Schneider.
Official Result: Colleen Schneider def. Raquel Pa'aluhi via split decision (29-28 Schneider, 29-28 Pa'aluhi, 29-28 Schneider)
Schneider with the bombs, Pa'aluhi answers with the takedown! #InvictaFC15 https://t.co/UlpxXCtUMT
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Atomweight: Amber Brown (5-1) vs. Shino VanHoose (4-3)
Round 1: Jason Herzog grabs his second assignment of the night. Shino VanHoose is just 20 years old and taking this fight on 10 days notice. Amber Brown welcomes her with a punch that snaps her head back. Ouch. Brown with the early pressure and there's a clinch 30 seconds in. VanHoose pulls guard but Brown decides against slamming her. The two fighters have settled into a position against the cage now and not a lot of action. Now the two trade knees and VanHoose turns the position around. Brown now has a standing guillotine and VanHoose uses the opportunity to land a nice trip. Brown trying to recover full guard because she still has her arm under the neck. And that's it. Guillotine win for Brown.
Official Result: Amber Brown def. Shino VanHoose via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:36 of Round 1
Amber Brown wants the champ!! Dominant win! #InvictaFC15 https://t.co/YAxArNw8KW
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Strawweight: Lacey Schuckman (11-8) vs. Mizuki Inoue (9-3)
Round 1: Jason Herzog steps in to ref this fight. No touch of gloves and Schuckman comes forward to initiate a clinch and pushes Inoue against the cage. Gets deep on a takedown and slams the Japanese fighter to land in side control early into this fight. Inoue bucks her hips to try and regan half guard. She gives up her back instead and Schuckman obliges by jumping on her back. She gets too high and it allows Inoue to get back to her feet. She immediately grabs a body lock and sends Schuckman to the ground, landing in half guard. All grappling so far with no real punches or ground and pound. Schuckman with a really sloppy guard and Inoue slips into mount. But after some ground and pound some equally sloppy groundwork causes Inoue to wind up on bottom.
Suddenly Inoue grabs an arm! Schuckman is rolling and trying to escape and suddenly Inoue lands in an inverted triangle! It looked like the Japanese girl tapped but maybe she was just trying to grab a hold of something. And now Inoue in side control in tap and landing ground and pound to loosen up an arm. Inoue working for an armbar and Schuckman rolls back for a 50-50 guard. Some serious scrambles here and Inoue lands on top in a loose guillotine. A punch for Schuckman lands after the bell. 10-9 Inoue.
Round 2: Inoue lands a kick to the body to start the second and Schuckman engages in the clinch. Inoue pushes her into the cage. The two break and Schuckman lands a kick, forcing a response from Inoue, who grabs her opponent and lands a hip throw into side control on the ground. Hammerfists from Inoue, which sets up a full mount. Punches from the mount forces Schuckman to seek relief by rolling onto her stomach. Hammerfists from Inoue gets a warning from the ref about the back of the head. Schuckman covering up but not really intelligently defending herself here.
Schuckman continues to roll and she's cut and bleeding now as the Japanese fighter is taking over here. Inoue rolls for a slick armbar but doesn't get it and Schuckman winds on top briefly. But Inoue powers her way back on top and lands some nasty ground and pound. Schuckman rolls for a heelhook, easily rolled out from Inoue, and the Japanese fighter punishes her with more ground and pound. This is a dominant round for Inoue. A beauty sweep for Schuckman but Inoue is able to recover her position fairly quickly. Schuckman survives the round but it wasn't pretty. 10-9 Inoue. 20-18 Inoue.
Round 3: The two fighters exchange in the center of the cage. Schuckman's left eye has a mouse under it. Inoue slips Schuckman's punches and then rushes in and pushes her against the fence, seeking a trip back the ground where she has dominated. Schuckman grabs Inoue's neck but she has no chance of finishing this as the choke is on the wrong side (something Julie Kedzie seems to miss in the broadcast booth). Inoue gets free and throws a heavy punch that misses and makes a loud sound off the canvas.
Inoue easily slips into mount and Schuckman covers up and rolls around looking for relief. She looks finished here. Jason Herzog watching carefully. Inoue working the armbar again and Schuckman trying to save her arm by holding on for dear life. She finally lands it with 1:20 left. Inoue by submission.
Official Result: Mizuki Inoue def. Lacey Schuckman via submission (armbar) at 3:43 of Round 3
Mizuki with the nice takedown of Schuckman!! #InvictaFC15 https://t.co/KNpdHdXRf8
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Strawweight: Angela Hill (2-2) vs. Alida Gray (4-2)
Round 1: Big John McCarthy reffing again. Touch of gloves and Hill takes the center. Hill with a lot of feints early on. Hill lands a hard right hand, stuffs a takedown and then lands another right hand. And a third. Gray not looking too good early on as Hill picks her apart. Gray throws a right hand, missing by a mile. Hill with another right hand and then ducks away from the counter, follows up with a head kick. Another huge right hand for Hill and Gray covers up. Hill swarms and gets the quick finish at 3:22. KO Hill.
Official Result: Angela Hill def. Alida Gray via KO (punch) at 1:39 of Round 1
@AngieOverkill is all smiles after that impressive KO victory in her @InvictaFights debut. pic.twitter.com/sSKJ0KwgfL
— UFC Fight Pass (@UFCFightPass) January 17, 2016
Featherweight: Megan Anderson (4-2) vs. Amber Leibrock (1-0)
Round 1: Big John McCarthy reffing the first fight. No touch of gloves as they meet in the center of the cage. Anderson taking the middle now and tries to press forward but two right hands land for Leibrock early on. Leibrock's counter right hand is money early on. Anderson continues to look calm and steady, as Julie Kedzie says on the broadcast. But moments later Leibrock stuns her and Anderson does a stutter step, clinching against the fence with 3:30 to try and recover. Anderson returns with a right hand of her own and now she's swarming with a flurry. She overextends and Leibrock stuns her. The two clinch with 3 minutes left, both clearly fatigued with that frenetic pace (to borrow a Mike Goldbergism). Leibrock bleeding from her nose now forcing her to take deep gulps of air through her mouth.
Anderson switches to a single leg but she quickly abandons it. Leibrock having trouble with the pressure of Anderson now as her posture dominants position against the cage. McCarthy steps in with 1:40 left and the two restart in the center. Leibrock misses on a counter right and Anderson is back in the clinch where she's clearly advantaged. Head position in the neck of Leibrock as Anderson lands knees and short punches. Anderson goes for a double with 30 seconds left and nearly lands it but Leibrock goes heavy on her hips, then does a fence grab that McCarthy seems to have missed. A last second guillotine attempt by Leibrock is no good. 10-9 Anderson but the round could go either way.
Round 2: Anderson rushes forward to start the second again, trying to capitalize on the momentum she seemed to have in the second half of the first round. She eats a few counters in order to gain the clinch against the cage with 30 seconds gone in the second round. This has gone from a slobberknocker early on to a clinchfest, making it less entertaining but more likely a victory for Anderson. Another single leg attempt but it doesn't look like Anderson has a prayer of getting this fight south. Still, Leibrock is losing precious seconds here by passively resisting this wall and stall. McCarthy looks like he wants to break it up and he does halfway through the round.
Big right hand by Leibrock and Anderson lands a nice leg kick that stumbles her opponent. Knees from Anderson and Leibrock responds with a front kick. A brief flurry of excitements ends as Anderson is back in her office, walling and stalling Leibrock, who is now bleeding quite a lot from her nose. Anderson with a standing elbow now and Leibrock searches for a takedown, hinting she's not liking how the complexion of this fight is looking. Anderson with a high left knee to the face of Leibrock, whose mouth is agape. Leibrock doesn't look like she wants to be here much longer. Anderson lands a flurry of punches to end the round that nearly got the finish. 10-9 Anderson, 20-18 Anderson.
Round 3:The doctor checks out Leibrock to start the third round and lets it continue. Anderson once again into the fray and lands a combination to push Leibrock's back into the fence. Somebody needs to learn to circle away. Leibrock tries for a trip but lands on the bottom, handing Anderson her first top position of the night. A high guard from Leibrock nearly lands a triangle and now she's working for one by stealth but Anderson defends well. Leibrock showing some good ground game here in an apparent stalemate. Finally Anderson postures out and allows Leibrock to stand back up. She welcomes her back to the feet with a kick to the head of Leibrock. Anderson pushes her back against the cage.
Leibrock turns away and Anderson continues to pound away. Big John steps in just over halfway through the third round. TKO Anderson.
Official Result: Megan Anderson def. Amber Leibrock via TKO (punches) at 2:33 of Round 3