Invicta FC 25 results – Raquel Pa’aluhi vs. Yana Kunitskaya
Invicta Fighting Championships traveled to Tachi Palace Hotel and Casino for Invicta FC 25, headlined by Hawaii’s Raquel “Lionheart” Pa’aluhi (6-5) and recent championship challenger Yana “Foxy” Kunitskaya (9-3, 1 NC) squaring off for the Invicta FC bantamweight title.
The title was vacated when former champion Tonya Evinger was called up to the UFC to challenge Cris ‘Cyborg’ Justino for the vacant UFC featherweight title. Kunitskaya challenged Evinger for the title last year and won after a controversial stoppage. The decision was challenged and weeks later the fight was declared a no-contest and Evinger reclaimed the title.
Tonight the former challenger Kunitskaya would be dominate in her performance throughout five rounds to win a unanimous decision while capturing the title.
The nine-fight Invicta FC 25 card streams live and exclusively via UFC Fight Pass at 6 p.m. PT.
Yesterday, Katharina Lehner and Kali Robbins each missed weight for their respective bouts and were fined 25 percent of their purses. Both bouts will proceed at catchweight.
Veteran MMA referee Josh Rosenthal who was released from prison 18 months early of a 37 month sentence for intent to distribute marijuana served as an official tonight in California.
In the co-main event former strawweight champion Livia Renata Souza defeated Janaisa Morandin via unanimous decision. It is only a matter of time before we see Souza in the UFC.
Big Wins
Cologne Germany’s Katharina Lehner defeated Alexa Conners to earn his first Invicta FC win. She moves to 6-0.
What an impressive win for Kali Robbins who submitted U.S. Army Sgt. Sharon Jacobson early in the first round. Jacobson came out swinging and landing big punches, backing Robbins up against the cage before tossing her to the canvas. Seconds later, the fight was over, but the momentum had changed. Jacobson submitted to an armbar 42 seconds into the fight.
Shino VanHoose and Sarah Kleczka each picked up split decision wins over their opponents.
Yaya Rincón of MMA Gold went 2-0 as a pro as well as inside the Invicta FC cage after a second round TKO win over Courtney King. Cheri Muraski defeated Tracy Cortez via guillotine to also remain undefeated.
Heartfelt story
Jillian DeCoursey made her professional debut tonight at Invicta FC 25, one year to the day after her last conversation before he passed away.
Very tough fight to score and it was interesting to see DeCoursey who is a brown belt keep the fight standing and trade shots with Ashley Medina.
The third and final round is where DeCoursey used her ground game to help solidify a split decision win, the first of her pro career.
INVICTA FC 25 RESULTS
Bantamweight Title: Yana Kunitskaya defeated Raquel Pa’aluhi via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) for vacant bantamweight title.
Strawweight: Livia Renata Souza defeated Janaisa Morandin via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Bantamweight: Katharina Lehner defeated Alexa Conners via TKO – Round 1,
Strawweight: Kali Robbins defeated Sharon Jacobson via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 0:42
Atomweight: Shino VanHoose defeated Alyse Anderson via split decision (30-27, 29-28, 28-29)
Bantamweight: Sarah Kleczka defeated Amberlynn Orr via split decision (28-29, 29-28, 29-28)
Featherweight: Yaya Rincón defeated Courtney King via TKO – Round 2, 3:41
Flyweight: Cheri Muraski defeated Tracy Cortez via submission (guillotine) – Round 2, 2:42
Atomweight: Jillian DeCoursey defeated Ashley Medina via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
