Invicta FC 3 Fight Week in Full Swing

Vanessa Porto posing for Esther Lin and her crew.

Amidst the Weight Cutting and training that is going on behind the scenes at Invicta FC the general atmosphere is one of excitement and comaraderie. Fighters, Coaches, Promoters and Media alike, can feel the electricity in the air leading up to Saturday nights event.

Being a fly on the wall at one of the most elite Women's MMA events is a very cool place to be and let's let you, the fans, in on some of the action. Thursday was Photo/Video shoot day. Each fighter comes into the ballroom at the hotel and stands in front of famed MMA photographer Esther Lin's camera in preparation for official pics and videos that you will see on the broadcast Saturday night. Then, they are video taped shadow boxing and giving pre fight interviews.

The vast personalities of the ladies only lends to the excitement. Where, Ashley Cummins, Joanne Calderwood and Jessica Penne are on the quiet side, You have big bursting personalities such as Tecia Torres, Shayna Baszler and Tara LaRosa filling the room with energy. No matter what the personality all the ladies come for first and foremost, the chance to fight.

The chance to fight at one of MMA's fastest growing promotions Invicta Fighting Championships. This is just one MMA fans humble opinion, Where the UFC is being overplayed with events almost every week, Invicta hasn't become too big for its britches and is staying humble by putting on events every 3 months or so.  Don't get it wrong, the UFC is still the powerhouse in the MMA community, but Invicta is such a breath of fresh air amidst the UFC/Strikeforce chaos.

Michelle Waterson posed w/
her adorable baby girl.

One fighter that is more than stoked to be at Invicta is Tara LaRosa (21-2), who will be fighting fellow vet Vanessa Porto (14-5) in Saturday's event. The veteran boldly stated that she believes in Invicta. "I have fought in a lot of shows, but I haven't believed in a lot of shows. I believe in Invicta".  This coming from one of Women's MMA most noteworthy yet underated fighters that has been around since the HooknShoot days.

Jessamyn Duke credits Invicta with helping her get her name out there. She states " By putting me on  the biggest platform period in Women's MMA they (Invicta) are getting me the most exposure and that will help me be the most successful in the sport." Duke will be fighting Marciea Allen who shares the same pro record of 1-0.


Shannon Knapp revealed Wednesday in an interview that the winner of Honchak vs. Daly and LaRosa vs. Porto will be set to fight for the 125lbs. belt in the future.Barb Honchak (6-2) upon hearing she will be in title contention if she wins her bout against Aisling Daly (13-3) said that she is excited but she is going to approach it like any other fight.

Katalina Malungahu (2-0) is excited for a knock out. She said that she is just as excited as the fans are to see knock outs and it is certain she hopes that her opponent, Ediane Gomes (8-2) is the one at the receiving end of that knockout.  (It is also surprising to hear that Katalina does some acting on the side and she has made an appearence on the vehicle towing reality show, Lizard Lick towing.)

The evening brought the ladies being carried off in vans to a local YMCA to utilize their sauna for the grueling weight cut process and some mingling in the lobby of the hotel. Ashley Cummins arrived back into the lobby with her weight cutting suit on and sat down for a chat with her manager. When she stood up the cushion of that seat was soaked with Cummins sweat. Maybe you can bottle that and sell it. We'll call it Smashley Dew....

Weigh-ins are up next and no doubt in the coming hours after them, there will be some full bellies and excited fighters looking forward to stepping into the Invicta cage.

Check us out on Real Women and Men watch MMA to keep up on the Invicta excitement!