Planning fight night screenings
With the many sporting events on television, it can take time to keep up. Depending on your sporting niche, it’s good to know what will come so you don’t miss out on those all-important moments of sporting history.
The 2023 MMA calendar has already gotten off to an exciting start, with boxing odds set to be at an all-time high. This year is looking exceptionally bright for female MMA. The Invicta FC on May 3rd has a line-up of some of the best fighters in the game right now, and there will be many other fight nights happening in 2023 that include women in the line-up.
No matter where you are in the world, it is always a good time to get together with some friends, snacks, and watch some fights. Read on to learn more about Invicta FC and other fights on the cards so you don’t miss a KO.
3 fights you don’t want to miss
1. Invicta FC 53
You want to attend this all-female fight on May 3rd – headlining this night will see American fighter Jillian DeCoursey taking on Brazilian fighter Rayanne dos Santos. DeCoursey is defending her atomweight title ahead of the night. She has been victorious in the last four out of five most recent professional fights. In September 2022, she got her atomweight title by beating Delboni in a spectacular first-round submission during Invicta FC 49. Invicta FC 53 takes place at Reelworks Denver in Denver, Colorado. You can see it on AXS TV or online through the Invicta Facebook page and YouTube channel in the USA at 6 p.m. PT or 9 p.m. ET.
Photo Credit: Invicta FC
Along with the main event, seven other fights will be on the night, featuring a stellar line-up of female fighters. Continuing at atomweight, Jessica Correa Delboni vs. Danielle Taylor. Another atomweight fight will occur between Nicole Geraldo vs. Monique Adriane and also Elisandra Ferreira vs. Flor Hernandez. For flyweight, going head to head will see Liana Pirosin and Elise Pone, and another fight TBD.
Furthermore, Invicta FC will make history in the broadcast booth as they have announced that there will be an all-female commentary team to tell the tales of the action on the night. The commentators will consist of previous fighters Megan Anderson and Julie Kedzie, while Aly Trost Martin will be responsible for a play-by-play voice-over for the event. These ladies have an impressive history to offer, with Trost Martin previously working on the commentary panel for MLS’ Sporting Kansas City company, as a backstage analyst for Invicta, and as an in-cage interviewer. Kedzie has been part of the Invicta team for over a decade. So, you are in for a treat with women who have been through the wringer and know the craft to perfection.
2. UFC 288: Jessica Andrade vs Xiaonan Yan
In June, expect to see on the fight card Brazillian Andrade taking on China’s Yan. Yan is the latest sensation from China and is gracing the UFC. The 33-year-old fighter has spent her career perfecting her craft in martial arts and has only one loss to date on her record. Her consecutive losses against Marina Rodriguez and Carla Esparza have recently cut off her race toward the throne. Now, against Andrade, she is hoping to get back on track. The two women are set to go head-to-head in the third bout of the main event, with Yan hoping to make an impact against the Brazilian power puncher. She said in a recent interview: “If I beat Jessica, I hope to fight for the main title. I believe that I have the strength and drive for the challenge.”
Photo Credit: UFC Facebook
If Yan wins her fight against Andrade, this could mean great things for the direction of the UFC. Following the win, the UFC will be in a great position to host an event in China that Yan and Zhang Weili can headline. This would be a huge opportunity as a UFC fight night hasn’t been hosted in China since the Fight Night of 157 in 2019 in Shenzhen when Zhang defeated Bate Estaca. Headlined by two Chinese fighters, this kind of fight could be the push the UFC needs to break in more into the Asian market.
Watch live on 6th May on ESPN at 6 p.m. ET to see how it all unfolds.
3. UFC Fight Night: Pennington vs. Aldana 2
On May 20th, watch UPC APEX coming live from Las Vegas. Here, you will see a high-stake rematch in the female bantamweight division between No.5 ranked Irene Aldana vs. the No.2 ranked US’s Raquel Pennington. Pennington is gearing up to collect what will be, if victorious, her sixth consecutive win. The Colorado champ has recently secured wins against former UFC champions like Jessica Andrade, Ketlen Vieira, and Miesha Tate. She wants a second win against Aldana and will be in a clear shot of winning the main title in her division if she does.
