Invicta 14: Early Preview and Predictions

An important all-women's event is on the horizon, as Invicta 14 comes to you live on Saturday, September 12 on UFC Fight Pass. The company has a great tradition of bringing exciting live events, which makes it a must-see night of fights.

In the headliner, bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger is set to defend her title against top contender Pannie Kianzad. The bout is a substitute for the previously announced strawweight title bout between Livia Renata Souza and Alexa Grasso, which got delayed because of injury.

There are a number of great names on the card such as Katja Kankaanpaa, DeAnna Bennett and Roxanne Modafferi. With that, we examine the entire card and make picks for every fight.

Preliminary Fights

Andrea Lee vs. Rachael Ostovich

A pair of Invicta's brightest 125-pound prospects match up in what could be a Fight of the Night contender. First, you have Andrea Lee, a devastating kickboxer known for her technique and accuracy. Her scary-good striking ability was on display in her Invicta debut when she thoroughly decimated Shannon Sinn on the feet.

Then there's Ostovich, a tough-as-nails Hawaiian on a two-fight winning streak. She would be wise to take Lee to the ground, but that will not happen, as the Louisiana native batters her with relentless strikes. 

Prediction: Lee def. Ostovich via TKO

Cindy Dandois vs. Megan Anderson

In a matchup of international featherweights, Belgium's Cindy Dandois and Australia's Megan Anderson look to jockey for position in an increasingly competitive 145-pound division. Anderson is nearly 6'0" tall and has finished two of her four wins via submission.

Dandois is likely the better striker, though her ground game is certainly up to par at this point. Toss up a coin and call it in the air, because this is close. I will go with Dandois and her edge in experience.

Prediction: Dandois def. Anderson via decision

Jamie Moyle vs. Sharon Jacobson

In a battle between two up-and-coming strawweights, Jamie Moyle and Sharon Jacobson will meet in an attempt to make a serious run at the Invicta title. Moyle is a well-rounded fighter with fluid movement, sharp striking and an underrated ground game. Despite her lack of size, she has been hard for opponents to solve, as evidence by her undefeated record.

Jacobson is a wrestler who will need to stymie Moyle's movement from the opening bell. However, Moyle is just too good for that and will pick Jacobson apart from the outside.

Prediction: Moyle def. Jacobson via decision

Jinh Yu Frey vs. Liz McCarthy

Jinh Yu Frey and Liz McCarthy are two atomweights who are looking to jump into the title picture, so naturally, matchmaker Julie Kedzie has them squaring off here. McCarthy is more of a grinder who prefers to wear on opponents and exhaust them with her relentless attack.

She will need that when trying to wear out Frey, a devastating striker with heavy kicks, punches and great technique. Movement will be key, as McCarthy likes to close the distance. So, Frey will strike from the outside, move and frustrate McCarthy en route to another victory.

Prediction: Frey def. McCarthy via decision

J.J. Aldrich vs. Daniela Kortmann

Germany's Daniela Kortmann has not competed since 2012, so she will be a sight for sore eyes when she is welcomed to the United States against two-time Invicta veteran J.J. Aldrich. Kortmann is known for her judo skills, which explains her strength on the ground and submission skills.

Aldrich has similar skills that have seen her achieve takedowns well and score points on the ground. The striking will likely be a key factor here, which is why Aldrich should have the slight advantage.

Prediction: Aldrich def. Kortmann via decision

Aspen Ladd vs. Amanda Bobby Cooper

One of the sport's youngest fighters, Aspen Ladd is set to return to Invicta, but in her way is a top prospect who is looking to get her name out there. At just 20, Ladd showed that she is a well-rounded, disciplined MMA fighter by pounding out jiu-jitsu specialist Ana Carolina Vidal in her debut with the company. She showed she was strong upright or on the ground.

Amanda Bobby Cooper has knockout power and some submissions of her own, but Ladd's competition has been stronger to this point, which will give her the calm and determination she needs to stay undefeated.

Prediction: Ladd def. Cooper via decision

Rachel Wiley vs. Felicia Spencer

It's not often you see female lightweights go at it, so strap into your seat and check out debuting pros Rachel Wiley and Felicia Spencer. When it comes to an experience edge, Spencer has the outright advantage, as she has six amateur fights to Wiley's one. She earned her way into Invicta by winning a tournament in the Tuff-N-Uff promotion, where she showed to be a top lightweight prospect.

That is why I will go with Spencer here, as Wiley is not nearly as proven as the Canadian-born mixed martial artist.

Prediction: Spencer def. Wiley via TKO

Roxanne Modafferi vs. Mariana Morais

Josh Hedges/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

A flyweight contender's bout is afoot, as women's MMA pioneer Roxanne Modafferi looks to get back to within a fingertip's reach of a title shot against Invicta debutant and Brazilian standout Mariana Morais.

Modafferi has been around forever, as the trailblazer was fighting before women's MMA was cool. She is a talented submission artist, though under the tutelage of Syndicate MMA she has developed some better striking technique.

After a failed run on The Ultimate Fighter and the UFC, Modafferi came to Invicta and dropped back to her more natural weight class of 125 pounds. She earned decision wins over Tara LaRosa and Andrea Lee to start off her career but had her title hopes derailed when she dropped her latest bout against Vanessa Porto.

As for Morais, the Brazilian is just 20 years old but has already amassed a 9-2 record. It shows that she is a young prospect to watch, so this fight is an intro for many who have never seen her.

Like Modafferi, she is a gifted submission fighter. Where she holds a clear edge over Modafferi is in youth and athleticism, which could be key in this bout.

Morais is undoubtedly talented and will have a great MMA career. However, most of her wins have come against lower-level, local talent, and Modafferi is a proven commodity who will teach her a lesson in MMA.

Prediction: Modafferi def. Morais via decision

DeAnna Bennett vs. Katja Kankaanpaa

In the co-main event we have two elite strawweights going at it, as former Invicta champion Katja Kankaanpaa looks to erase the memory of the loss of her belt when she takes on the rapidly rising DeAnna Bennett.

Kankaanpaa is a grappler with good submissions and control when she is able to gain top position. Her striking leaves a bit to be desired, and her wrestling is not always the strongest, which is something she will need against Bennett.

Kankaanpaa won her Invicta belt in a thriller against Stephanie Eggink but could not defend it in her last bout against Livia Renata Souza. The loss to Souza was just her second career loss, but it showed she had some improvements to do, even on the ground where she thrives.

Then there's Bennett, an all-around threat who possesses sharp, precise striking, a strong wrestling base and scrappy grappling ability. She is also a cardio machine, as she trains at elevation and pushes a heavy tempo from the get-go.

Her run with Invicta thus far has been impressive with wins over Michelle Ould, Jennifer Maia and Norma Center, all in less than a year. A win here, especially in impressive fashion, should be more than enough to earn her a title shot at the winner of Livia Renata Souza vs. Alexa Grasso.

Kankaanpaa matches up poorly with Bennett. She is the much-better striker, has better wrestling and will not allow Kankaanpaa to get the fight to the mat.

Prediction: Bennett def. Kankaanpaa via submission

Tonya Evinger vs. Pannie Kianzad

Al Powers/Zuffa LLC/Getty Images

Capping off the card is the Invicta Bantamweight Championship bout, as Tonya Evinger looks to defend her strap for the first time against top contender Pannie Kianzad. 

Evinger has had a huge career turnaround, as she went from a TUF reject to one of the best 135ers in the world. She has a great wrestling and ground game, where she proficiently looks for submissions, specifically the armbar.

She is in the midst of a four-fight winning streak with Invicta, where she has finished three of her four foes. Those fighters include Ediane Gomes, Cindy Dandois and Irene Aldana, whom she beat for the Invicta belt.

As for Kianzad, she is the former Cage Warriors bantamweight champion, which makes this bout a champion vs. champion dream fight. She is a skilled boxer, though she has added a tenacious top game on the ground where he has great control and technique.

She is undefeated at 8-0 and has looked to be one of the best 135ers not in the UFC. In her Invicta debut, she completely dominated Jessy Rose Clark to a one-sided decision.

This is going to be a great, competitive bout. Both women are streaking and deserve to be in the UFC. However, at this point in the game, I see the upside and well-roundedness of Kianzad prevailing.

Prediction: Kianzad def. Evinger via decision

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