Invicta 10 Preview and Predictions

The women are back at it this weekend, as Invicta 10 airs live on Fight Pass for the third time. Live from Houston on Friday, the card has a title fight and a bevy of other top female fighters from different weight classes.

Atomweight champ Michelle Waterson makes another title defense in the headliner when she meets Brazilian submission ace Herica Tiburcio. It is a great fight that should thrill fans come main event time.

Also on the card are names like Tonya Evinger, DeAnna Bennett, Roxanne Modafferi and others who intend on making bigger names for themselves.

Without further ado, let's preview the fights on Invicta 10 and make some predictions.

Undercard Bouts

Peggy Morgan vs. Andria Wawro

The Ultimate Fighter 18 vet Peggy Morgan returns to 145 pounds, but in her way is a talented fellow East Coaster in the form of Andria Wawro. Morgan, after starting her pro career off at 2-0, has lost two straight, including her Invicta debut in which she was destroyed by Irene Aldana. She is the kickboxer to Wawro's grappler, who is a Renzo Gracie disciple with a 3-1 record. Morgan's struggles lately have exposed her a little bit, including her loss on TUF, which may be the blueprint for Wawro here. 

Wawro def. Morgan via Unanimous Decision

Alexa Grasso vs. Alida Gray

Former WSOF title challenger Alida Gray is looking to make a successful Invicta debut opposite Mexican prospect Alexa Grasso. Gray is a power puncher with some solid grappling chops. Her only loss as a pro came in her most recent outing, when she was tapped out by top strawweight Jessica Aguilar. As for Grasso, she is undefeated through five pro outings, with three knockouts. Her debut against Ashley Cummins was impressive, but Gray can match power with her and should outwork her here.

Gray def. Grasso via Unanimous Decision

Jinh Yu Frey vs. Cassie Robb

A pair of young atomweights are looking to create some momentum against each other, as Cassie Robb looks for her first pro win against knockout artist Jinh Yu Frey. Yu Frey took her first loss in her Invicta debut against Jodie Esquibel, dropping a split decision she could have easily taken. Robb is 0-2 thus far in her pro career, dropping bouts to Liz McCarthy and Laura Sanko. She needs to get this fight down, but Yu Frey will put her to sleep before she's able to. 

Yu Frey def. Robb via KO

Rachael Ostovich vs. Evva Johnson

Rachael Ostovich and Evva Johnson will open up the card in their respective Invicta debuts and will look to make a name for themselves in the flyweight division. Ostovich was a highly successful amateur but has gone 1-1 to open her pro career. As for Johnson, she was similarly successful as an amateur and is 1-0 as a pro thus far. This is a battle of prospects, with the more well-rounded lady taking this bout. 

Johnson def. Ostovich via Submission

Jennifer Maia vs. DeAnna Bennett

In what could be a top contender's bout in the flyweight division, top-five 125ers DeAnna Bennett and Jennifer Maia look to impress the bosses in an attempt to get a stab at Barb Honchak's gold.

Bennett is a well-rounded fighter who has good wrestling and kickboxing. She has shuffled between flyweight and bantamweight but takes her second straight fight at 125. She beat Michelle Ould handily in her most recent outing.

The undefeated Pit Elevated member is a finisher, putting away every one of her opponents except TUF 18 winner Julianna Pena. Her takedown defense and superior stand-up will be imperative in this bout.

Maia, a representative of Chute Boxe, is a submission fighter who is currently riding a two-fight surge from bouts in Brazil. Previous to that, she was bested by Leslie Smith, who now calls the UFC her home.

Maia would be smart to get Bennett down, but the American's takedown defense is stout. She will outstrike Maia en route to a decision. 

Prediction: Bennett def. Maia via Decision

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Andrea Lee

WMMA legend and UFC vet Roxanne Modafferi looks to keep her successful return to 125 on track, but in her way is a top prospect in the form of Andrea Lee. 

Modafferi has been a pro since 2003 and is a pioneer of women's MMA. She has fought everybody in the game, from Tara LaRosa to Shayna Baszler to Sarah Kaufman.

However, she has not stayed complacent with her game. She has moved to Syndicate MMA, where she has vastly improved her striking, which was on display in her rubber match against LaRosa.

As for Lee, she is a young prospect with big upside. She is a very skilled striker with immense power and great movement.

Her Invicta debut saw her in a one-sided drubbing of a tough Shannon Sinn. She continuously rattled her jaw, almost finishing the gritty Colorado native on multiple occasions. 

I have juggled back and forth on who will take this bout. Modafferi is a wizard on the ground and vastly more experienced, but Lee's skill on the feet is scary. In a coin toss, I give the edge to the youngling. 

Prediction: Lee def. Modafferi via Decision

Tonya Evinger vs. Cindy Dandois

A massively important bantamweight bout fills in as the co-main event, as surging 135er Tonya Evinger welcomes Cindy Dandois back to MMA. This is the first fight for Dandois since 2011.

Dandois is a striker who has fought some very tough competition while in Europe. Other than a blemish to hulking Russian Yana Kunitskaya, she has defeated muay thai ace Jorina Baars, UFC vet Sheila Gaff and Bellator poster girl Marloes Coenen.

She has trained in America during her time off, including with women like Miesha Tate. She is obviously tightening up her ground game, even though she has shown some glimpses of solidarity on the ground.

Evinger is a wrestler who has recently shown great submission ability on the ground. After becoming an afterthought when failing to make the TUF 18 house, Evinger has stormed back into WMMA fans' good graces with impressive wins over Sarah D'Alelio and heavily favored Ediane Gomes.

Evinger's wrestling will be vital in this fight as well. Dandois likes the kicking game and probably is better upright than Evinger. That's why Evinger will ground the Belgian and make her uncomfortable for three rounds. 

Prediction: Evinger def. Dandois via Decision

Michelle Waterson vs. Herica Tiburcio

The main event should be an interesting one, as Invicta atomweight champion Michelle Waterson looks to thwart invader Herica Tiburcio of Brazil.

Many people may not know Tiburcio, but she is a legit threat to Waterson's title reign. A spark plug at 4'11", the Brazilian is a very good takedown artist, which she uses so she can work her masterful submission game.

Her entire career has been spent in Brazil, though she has beaten some quality opposition. Wins over Aline Sattelmayer, Kinberly Tanaka Novaes and Camila Lima prove that she is nobody to take lightly, especially when she gets you to the ground (six submission wins in eight bouts).

As for Waterson, "The Karate Hottie" is a WMMA star. Though her looks definitely help, more and more fans are finding out that she is an absolute menace in the cage, possessing great technical striking skills and an underrated ground game.

She is currently riding a six-fight winning streak, where she has shown great improvements. Her last three fights have seen her best Lacey Schuckman in a thriller, tap out Jessica Penne for the Invicta title and brutalize Yasuko Tamada for three rounds (finishing her with two seconds left).

Tiburcio takes this fight in the atomweight division for the first time, as she has competed as a strawweight otherwise. She will not be ready for a technical, quick, athletic specimen like Waterson, who will win in exciting fashion. 

Prediction: Waterson def. Tiburcio via Decision