Yesterday Invicta announced the complete card for Invicta FC15 Jan. 16 at The Hangar at OC Fair in Costa Mesa, CA. At least it's not in Kansas City. A couple of weeks ago, Invicta owner Shannon Knapp announced that Cris Cyborg vs Cindy Dandois would be the main event but she wouldn't reveal the contracted weight. Then we hear that because Ronda Rousey lost the UFC Women's Bantamweight Championship, Cyborg doesn't think she has to fight at 135 anymore. I don't see how the title switch changes her UFC status. She would still need to drop to 135. I actually think her value to the UFC has decreased because they don't need her to fight Ronda anymore. And the UFC is clearly not going to let Holly Holm defend the belt at a catchweight. So I have seen Cyborg's recent interviews. She's out to lunch. Meanwhile, Cindy announced she plans to try out for The Ultimate Fighter. So Invicta found a new opponent, Russian Daria Ibragimova. Her record is 9-1 but all her wins have been over Eastern European nobodies. The one time I saw her was when she lost to Cindy Dandois in a 2010 tournament. And none of her other fights are on video. She won't last long against Cyborg. The co-main event has Livia Renata Souza defending her Invicta Strawweight Championship against DeAnna Bennett. I don't see DeAnna as a credible challenger. She's 8-0 but her last three wins have been squeakers with questionable judges decisions. She has also had trouble making 115 and I think she's a better fighter at 125. If you're wondering about Alexa Grasso, she has had some injuries and she will return to Invicta in March. Now for the rest of the card. Raquel Pa'aluhi will face Colleen Schneider. Raquel's original opponent was supposed to be Irene Aldana but I expect that she will face Sarah Kaufman at next week's UFC show in Orlando. So Colleen is filling in which is why this was not announced two weeks ago. Raquel should win easily. As expected, Invicta signed recent UFC cut Angela Hill and she will face Jodie Esquibel. I like Jodie in this fight. I think regular readers know that I think Angela is a kickboxer, not an MMA fighter. And veteran Lisa Ellis returns to Invicta to face Amber Brown. I don't see this as a competitive fight. Amber is younger, quicker and more aggressive than Lisa. Both of those fights look like mismatches though some will try to say otherwise. On the prelims, MIZUKI will face Lacey Schuckman. A couple of years ago, this might have been a mismatch. But MIZUKI has lost something and she admitted this at a recent DEEP JEWELS show. I don't think MIZUKI is as aggressive as she used to be. I would hate to think she's washed up at age 21 but she doesn't seem to know what is wrong or how to fix it. Amanda Bell will face Ediane Gomes. This looks like it could set up a possible Cris Cyborg slaughter. I think both fighters are inconsistent but that could make for an entertaining fight. Christine Stanley will face Shannon Sinn. Both are older fighters so I'm not a fan of either of them. And the opener is Megan Anderson vs Amber Leibrock at 145lb. Amber should be the favourite. This show will air on UFC Fight Pass. Knapp announced that Barb Honchak has vacated the Invicta Flyweight Championship and there will be a tournament. But the format has not been announced.
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