Bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger defended her title with a unanimous decision win over Colleen Schneider at Invicta FC 17 in Costa Mesa, California.
Evinger used her grinding style to keep the challenger on the defensive. The judges scored it 49-45, 50-44 and 50-44.
Meanwhile, Angela Hill used her striking and an improved ground game to win the strawweight crown from Livia Renata Souza in an exciting co-main event.
Welcome back to The Crossfire.
Kenai Andrews shares his thoughts.
PRELIMS
LAURA HOWARTH VS ALEXA CONNERS
WINNER: LAURA HOWARTH VIA SPLIT-DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALEXA CONNERS VIA TKO
Andrews: I thought Conners won the fight as she pressured Howarth the entire fight. She wasn’t as active though and Howarth landed enough kicks and strikes to satisfy the judges. A hard lesson to learn for Conners.
RACHAEL OSTOVICH VS ARIEL BECK
WINNER: RACHAEL OSTOVICH VIA SPLIT DECISION (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: RACHAEL OSTOVICH VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Ostovich was getting tagged and dropped by Beck until some timely takedowns in round two and three turned the tide for her. Hard luck for Beck who controlled this bout for large stretches.
CHRISTINE STANLEY VS SHANNON SINN
WINNER: CHRISTINE STANLEY VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: CHRISTINE STANLEY VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Stanley flustered Sinn with her aggressiveness and kicks. Sinn did well in the last round, but Stanley was too much. Good win for Knuckles.
AMANDA BELL VS MEGAN ANDERSON
WINNER: MEGAN ANDERSON VIA TKO R1 5:00
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MEGAN ANDERSON VIA TKO
Andrews: Anderson jumped out of the gate and landed strikes and kicks to knock out Bell at the horn! Fantastic performance by Anderson.
ALINE SERIO VS KALINE MEDERIOS
WINNER: KALINE MEDERIOS VIA TKO R2 4:04
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ALINE SERIO VIA TKO
Andrews: Mederios dominated from the opening bell. Serio had no offence and no answer for Mederios’ takedowns and ground and pound. Great win for Kaline.
LATOYA WALKER VS CHARMAINE TWEET
WINNER: CHARMANE TWEET VIA TKO R1 3:41
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LATOYA WALKER VIA TKO
Andrews: Walker was doing great bullying Tweet until Tweet landed a massive spinning backfist that ended everything. Great win for Tweet.
LIVIA RENATA SOUZA VS ANGELA HILL
WINNER: ANGELA HILL VIA SPLIT-DECISION (48-47, 47-48, 48-47)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: LIVIA RENATA SOUZA VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Andrews: Close fight with Hill able to score points while displaying significant improvement on the ground. Souza’s chin and tenacity kept her in the game, but Hill was too tough on the feet. Great performances and great win for Hill.
MAIN EVENT
TONYA EVINGER VS COLLEEN SCHNEIDER
WINNER: TONYA EVINGER VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION (49-45, 50-44, 50-44)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: TONYA EVINGER VIA UNANIMOUS DECISION
Tonya Evinger retains the #bantamweight title at #InvictaFC17 via unanimous decision. #UFCFIGHTPASS https://t.co/sStLtlEPrw
— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) May 8, 2016
Andrews: Evinger just grinded Schneider into the mat. Colleen displayed some grit and defensive smarts, but Tonya just kept plodding away. Good win for Tonya.
