Invicta FC has lengthy been a testing floor for future champions in UFC and different promotions, and Megan Anderson feels that the all-women firm nonetheless has the potential to create stars.
Anderson, a one-time UFC title contender that now works as the colour commentator for Invicta FC broadcasts, admits being an solely feminine group forces Invicta FC to take care of a “robust market,” since there are extra males competing within the sport. On the identical time, nevertheless, it has made it turn into the last word dream for thus many ladies across the globe.
“I’ve observed, notably interviewing quite a lot of these girls during the last yr or so, is that Invicta is their objective,” Anderson instructed MMA Combating. “They wanna keep right here, they usually wanna be loyal to this promotion as a result of this promotion sees worth in them. They’ve seen what they’re able to. And that’s what I really like about Shannon [Knapp]. I say this on a regular basis, I wouldn’t be the place I’m in my profession if Shannon didn’t see me and he or she didn’t take an opportunity on me, and he or she does that for thus many different girls.
“And that’s what’s so nice about Invicta. You’re not simply one other quantity it’s a household surroundings. They handle their athletes. And quite a lot of these girls see that they usually worth that. ‘Oh, you aren’t simply gonna feed me to construct anyone else’s profession.’ They’re typically fascinated about serving to each single athlete obtain their highest potential, and quite a lot of them need to keep right here. For lots of them, there’s not quite a lot of weight lessons, so that is it, that is the head for his or her sport, and I feel that’s superb. If you wish to be the most effective on the planet, Invicta is it.”
With Bellator not current, and PFL restricted to solely flyweights in relation to feminine athletes, Invicta FC stands alone within the North American market as the largest platform for girls. Their subsequent card goes down Friday in Atlanta, and options veterans and newcomers. Invicta FC 60 airs stay on CBS Sports activities, kicking off a broadcast deal that has simply been renewed.
“That is big,” Anderson mentioned of the TV deal. “With Invicta, it’s the premier group for girls’s fight sports activities and blended martial arts. There’s no different promotion on the planet that does what Invicta does that’s solely for girls, selling girls, selling feminine athletes to assist them construct their careers in a platform that highlights them and every thing that they do. They don’t need to compete with the boys, they don’t need to compete with the rest. It’s purely nearly their expertise and the way superb that they’re.
“The truth that Invicta is ready to have this take care of CBS Sports activities community is big as a result of it offers these girls a broader platform. They’re in a position to have extra eyes on them, which is what they deserve. These are among the greatest athletes on the planet and we’re seeing them proper right here in actual time, we’re seeing these athletes begin off from the very first couple fights of their careers and we get to see them right through, and I feel having that platform that CBS Sports activities community offers to Invicta is invaluable for these girls.
“I really feel like lots of people get a actuality examine in a short time on this sport. It won’t be the primary combat, may be not, won’t be the third combat or the fifth combat, however ultimately you get uncovered. What Invicta does is they assist construct these girls to succeed in their full potential and combating the extent that they must be combating and constructing them. They don’t simply throw them into the partitions and like drive them to sink or swim. They construct these girls athletes they usually genuinely handle their athletes and their careers. That’s what I feel is superb to see, and quite a lot of girls worth that they usually need to make this their dwelling for his or her careers.”
Invicta FC 60 is headlined by Olga Rubin vs. Mayra Cantuaria, which seemingly determines who’s subsequent for 135-pound champion Jennifer Maia, however Anderson additionally has her eyes on Giulliany Perea, a possible star on the game.
“I actually, actually like her. I feel she is a good athlete,” Anderson mentioned of the Brazilian atomweight, who holds a 2-0 skilled document after a protracted 14-2 beginner profession with a number of IMMAF titles gained between 2021 and 2023. “She won’t have quite a lot of skilled fights, however she has a lot beginner expertise.”
Magdalena Czaban, additionally 2-0 as a professional with a ton of beginner expertise, is one other younger expertise to regulate going ahead. The 25-year-old atomweight gained 21 of 23 beginner contests with 10 first-round stoppages to her credit score, claiming IMMAF world titles in 2020, 2021 and 2022.
“Her final beginner loss was 16 fights in the past in 2020,” Anderson mentioned. “She has a lot expertise. She has quick arms, fast motion. She’s so well-rounded.
“And what I’m loving is that like these girls have such intensive beginner careers now so once they hit the skilled rankings, it doesn’t even appear like they’ve solely had a few fights. They appear like seasoned veterans. They’re composed, they’re calculated, they’re making good in-fight mid-round choices, which is nice to see. I might say these are two names that I’m actually enthusiastic about the place their careers go within the subsequent couple of years.”
