Atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki successfully defended her belt against Amber Brown in the main event of Invicta FC 16.
It was a back-and-forth battle with many scrambles and triangle attempts by the challenger Brown. But Hamasaki found a way to survive and used her technique to end up in the better positions in the second round, which led to the armbar submission.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Kenai Andrews checks in:
ASHLEY GREENWAY VS SARAH CLICK
WINNER: ASHLEY GREENWAY VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-26, 29-28, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: SARAH CLICK VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Click controlled the first two rounds for the most part until Greenway landed a takedown and tried to submit Click with armbar and triangle attempts. I thought Click won the first two rounds, but the judges aw it differently and scored all three for Greenway, including one who had the last round a 10-8. Solid performances by both fighters.
KELLY MCGILL VS ASPEN LADD
WINNER: ASPEN LADD VIA TKO R3 1:47
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ASPEN LADD VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: A clinical performance by Ladd who dragged McGill to the ground each round and worked McGill over. Outstanding performance on a week’s notice.
ANDREA LEE VS SARAH D’ALELIO
WINNER: SARAH D’ALELIO VIA TECHNICAL SUBMISSION R3 4:21
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANDREA LEE VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Similiar to what Miesha Tate did at UFC 196, D’Alelio used a late round comeback and takedown to flatten out Lee and secure the rear-naked choke for the win. Great performances by both fighters.
HERICA TIBURCIO VS JINH YU FREY
WINNER: JINH YU FREY VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JINH YU FREY VIA SPLIT-DECISION
Andrews: Frey and Tiburcio turned in technical performances with Frey landing precision strikes mostly counters off of a Tiburcio leg kick. Great performances by both fighters.
ROXANNE MODAFFERI VS DEANNA BENNETT
WINNER: ROXANNE MODAFFERI VIA SPLIT-DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DEANNA BENNETT VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Bennett was aggressive enough to make Roxanne alter her standup style. Modafferi’s striking scored points and made Bennett play her game for most of the fight. Great win for Roxy.
IRENE ALDANA VS JESSAMYN DUKE
WINNER: IRENE ALDANA VIA TKO R1 3:08
ANDREWS PREDICTION: IRENE ALDANA VIA TKO
Andrews: It was target practice early on for Aldana, peppering Duke with strikes and leg kicks, then crumpling Duke with a body shot to the stomach. Impressive win for Aldana!
ANGELA HILL VS STEPHANIE EGGINK
WINNER: ANGELA HILL VIA TKO R2 2:36
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ANGELA HILL VIA SPLIT-DECISION
Andrews: Eggink was doing well on the feet but in the second round appeared to hurt her shoulder which Hill capitalized on landed a massive right hand that knocked her down and forced Kim Winslow to stop the bout.
VANESSA PORTO VS JENNIFER MAIA
WINNER: JENNIFER MAIA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (49-46, 48-47, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: VANESSA PORTO VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Maia was almost finished in the first two minutes, but put together three gutsy rounds to win the fight. Great comeback by Maia, it appeared Porto’s bloody nose affected her and she tired after the second round.
MAIN EVENT
AYAKA HAMASAKI VS AMBER BROWN
WINNER: AYAKA HAMASAKI VIA SUBMISSION R3 2:32
ANDREWS PREDICTION: AYAKA HAMASAKI VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: A great back-and-forth battle which saw Brown get several triangle attempts. But it was the technique of Hamasaki which overcame the strength and determination of the challenger. Great win for Hamasaki and excellent performance for Brown.
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