Karina Rodriguez overcame the adjustments of Daiana Torquato to successfully defend her flyweight title in the main event of Invicta FC 46 in Kansas City.
Like in their first fight, Rodriguez tried to use her striking but was taken down in the first round late by Torquato, who took the fight on short notice. Torquato, however, couldn’t do much with the takedown, which became a theme for the entire fight.
Open scoring is absolutely great and I hope more promotions start moving toward it. https://t.co/yOTemko13j
— wholesomeMMA (@wholesome_mma) March 10, 2022
Torquato tried to clinch and open up Rodriguez with kicks when she couldn’t get the fight down, but Rodriguez put enough strikes to convince the judges to give her a 48-47, 47-48, 49-46 win.
Judges are at a draw so far in our main event between @Torquatowmma & @kari_mma!#InvictaFC46
LIVE on YouTube: https://t.co/6UmYzN3CvU pic.twitter.com/Ibch7I4XlW
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
The win gives Rodriguez (10-4-0) her second straight win over Torquato and completes her first defence of her title. Torquato (10-5-0) suffered her second consecutive loss.
In the co-main event, Brazilian Denise Gomes, who took the fight on short notice and was making her Invicta debut, was beaten down for two rounds before mounting an incredible comeback in the third and final round to stop Milana Dudieva.
Staggering right hand from @DudievaMilana!#InvictaFC46
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— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
Gomes was almost submitted in the first round, then was dropped twice in the second round and was seconds from being put away. In the last round, Gomes caught a fatigued Dudieva with strikes up against the cage and then used knees to drop her. Follow up strikes forced referee Nick Berens to call the bout at 1:56.
What a fight between @DudievaMilana & Denise Gomes! #InvictaFC46
LIVE on YouTube: https://t.co/6UmYzN3CvU pic.twitter.com/dxq9yl4xcx
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
In other bouts:
KARINA RODRIGUEZ DEF. DAIANA TORQUATO VIA SD (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
DENISE GOMES VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 1:56
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the card.
PAULINA GRANADOS VS. MONIQUE ADRIANEÂ
Monique Adriane finished with authority at #InvictaFC46!
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— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
WINNER: MONIQUE ADRIANE VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: MONIQUE ADRIANE VIA UD
Andrews: Granados was very rusty and it showed.
KRISTINA WILLIAMS VS. FLORE HANI
.@aitohine & @WarhorseMMA are throwing bombs in our second fight at #InvictaFC46 LIVE on YouTube! pic.twitter.com/uZDoj9z8CK
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
WINNER: KRISTINA WILLIAMS VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: FLORE HANI VIA UD
Andrews:Â Williams did just enough. Not a barnburner of a bout.
DANIELLE TAYLOR VS. LIZ TRACYÂ
.@DynamiteTaylor getting hit with some wild punches at #InvictaFC46!
LIVE on YouTube: https://t.co/6UmYzN3CvU pic.twitter.com/A3xfGDnCRO
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
WINNER: LIZ TRACY VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DANIELLE TAYLOR VIA TKO
Andrews:Â Okay, Tracy missed weight, but I really thought Taylor would find a way to land her power shots and once again, she wasn’t able to. Disappointing.
MILANA DUDIEVA VS. DENISE GOMES
What a fight between @DudievaMilana & Denise Gomes! #InvictaFC46
LIVE on YouTube: https://t.co/6UmYzN3CvU pic.twitter.com/dxq9yl4xcx
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
WINNER: DENISE GOMES VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 1:56
ANDREWS PREDICTION: DENISE GOMES VIA TKO
Andrews:Â Wow! This was the fight of the night to me and I hope Gomes got a performance of the night bonus too. Dudieva made some tactical mistakes when she had Gomes down and it cost her.
MAIN EVENT
KARINA RODRIGUEZ VS. DAIANA TORQUATO
Open scoring is absolutely great and I hope more promotions start moving toward it. https://t.co/yOTemko13j
— wholesomeMMA (@wholesome_mma) March 10, 2022
WINNER: KARINA RODRIGUEZ VIA SD (48-47, 47-48, 49-46)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: KARINA RODRIGUEZ VIA UD
Andrews: Torquato did make some successful adjustments, but could not inflict enough damage with them. Give Rodriguez credit for battling through with her striking.
