Tag: Karina Rodriguez

Ex-Invicta FC champ Karina Rodriguez explains delay for Bellator debut after signing in mid-2022

After a couple of surgeries, Karina Rodriguez expects to be a much-improved version of herself when she debuts in Bellator.

[autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] made some noise last summer, but then it faded away.

The then-Invicta FC champion was signed to the Bellator women’s flyweight roster in July 2022. However, that’s the last much of the MMA world heard from the Mexican standout as she has yet to make her debut for the promotion now nearing a year from her signing.

Turns out, Rodriguez (10-4) took some much-needed time off to rebuild her body as he prepares to start a new chapter in her fighting career.

“I signed with Bellator last year, as you said, but the debut has been delayed due to injuries,” Rodriguez told MMA junkie in Spanish. “In my last two fights, I fought with a broken wrist on my left hand. It was very painful not only fighting, but also training. Before debuting, I took care of that issue so I can do good work and show what I’m truly made of.

“I’m a former Invicta FC champion, and I’m entering a new promotion, and I want to do a good job. So that’s what’s delayed the debut. It was an operation that I got done in October. It was a tear in the cartridge in the wrist. Fortunately I’m now good and free to train. I’ve been getting ready since January, and now I’m waiting.”

Rodriguez also had surgery on her knee while under the knife for her wrist, the idea being to only have to deal with one recovery. The knee injury wasn’t as bad of an injury as the wrist, but it was something that had been nagging her for 10 years.

“Yeah, it was two surgeries at the same time,” Rodriguez said. “The knee also had damage in a tendon, and I had a lot of scar tissue that was messing with my joint, and I was getting like some kind of arthritis on there. I wasn’t able to bend the knee well, and it was painful.

“The doctor is the one that suggested it, that he could do both at the same time. So I told him go for it, because I didn’t want to deal with one recovery and then the other. It was hard because it was left wrist, left knee, but it was the best option. I don’t regret it. The knee recovered much quicker, and I was able to return to training but without striking. Now I feel ready and renewed.”

https://www.instagram.com/p/Ci5rCoAp_z3/

[lawrence-related id=1987969]

Rodriguez injured her wrist in preparation to her fight against Vanessa Porto in 2019. After the fight, she went on to win the Invicta FC flyweight title and defend it with a badly injured wrist.

Despite becoming champion and defending her belt injured, Rodriguez does believe the two injuries were limiting her potential. She expects a much more improved version for her Bellator debut now that she’s fully healthy.

“It was limiting me a lot.” Rodriguez said. “I would enter these fights with a little insecurity because you don’t want to expose yourself in your injuries, because you know they can get worse during a fight and affect you. So if you enter trying to look out after them, but there are moments that you forget everything, but still. For starters, you can’t even train the same. I remember my last two fights, which were championship fights. I barely did any sparring. I was taking care of myself a lot. Sometimes I would take entire weeks off nursing these injuries in camp. So you do wonder if you did enough in preparation entering a title fight.”

Prior to the surgeries, the 37-year-old Rodriguez did think about retirement as she was frustrated with her health and lack of ability to train properly. That’s now all in the past as she’s been training full throttle and expects to fight again in May or June.

Rodriguez feels as though she’s got plenty to give, and that includes winning a Bellator title.

“My goal is always to be the best and represent Mexico the best way possible,” Rodriguez said. “That was my goal in Invicta, and I was able to get there. Now that I’m in Bellator, the first goal is to debut and see how I feel in the cage, how I feel without all these injuries. I think passing this first step, I always think big, getting to the title. I’m not here just to pass by, I’m here to fight for a championship belt.”

[lawrence-auto-related count=3 category=420030788]

Invicta FC 46 results: Karina Rodriguez retains flyweight title in close split decision

The main event of Invicta FC 46 came down to the wire, but the champ Karina Rodriguez earned a close split decision to retain her title.

It wasn’t easy, but [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] can still call herself Invicta flyweight champion.

In a short-notice rematch at Invicta FC 46, Rodriguez (10-4) met Daiana Torquato, the same fighter she defeated to become Invicta champ in May 2021 at Invicta on AXS TV. Ketlen Souza was the originally scheduled opponent for Rodriguez, but was forced out of the contest due to undisclosed reasons. Torquato (10-5) was elevated from her co-main bout against Milana Dudieva to get another crack at claiming Invicta gold.

The flyweights picked up right where they left off in their first meeting, as Torquato and Rodriguez wasted little time in the first round before trading strikes. Both fighters found success on the feet early, but Torquato hit a beautiful outside trip takedown to take the fight to the mat with around 40 seconds remaining. It was a close round that left the judges split on who earned 10 points on the scorecard.

Torquato looked to clinch more in the second round and successfully brought the fight to the mat with over a minute remaining this time. However, Torquato couldn’t get much done on the ground because the champ did well to stop any significant offense.

Rodriguez was able to stay upright for the entirety of the third round and let her hands and feet go often as Torquato was unable to find success in the clinch game, but she was able to land nice kicks.

The fourth round was similar to the third, until Torquato went for a takedown that was initially reversed with over a minute to go. However, Torquato was able to get back on top before they returned to the feet and traded strikes before heading to their stools for the final break of the fight.

The fifth was the highest-paced round of the fight with back-and-forth action throughout. Both fighters knew the fight was close and did their best to put their stamp on the round. Rodriguez landed a few hard strikes before Torquato looked to clinch. The champ kept the fight standing and the pair picked their strikes until the fight concluded.

The two judges who saw the fight in favor of Rodriguez were Kevin Champion who saw it 48-47 and Greg DiVilbiss who turned in the widest score of 49-46. The dissenting judge who scored the fight for Torquato was judge David Sutherland who turned in a 48-47 for the challenger.

Although it came down to a split decision, Rodriguez secured the first defense of her title, as she picked up her second-straight win over Torquato.

The full results of Invicta FC 46 include:

  • Karina Rodriguez def. Daiana Torquato via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) – for flyweight title
  • Denise Gomes def. Milana Dudieva via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:56
  • Liz Tracy def. Danielle Taylor via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
  • Kristina Williams def. Flore Hani via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
  • Monique Adriane def. Paulina Granados via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

[vertical-gallery id=2529502]

Karina Rodriguez hopes to get UFC call with title defense at Invicta FC 46: ‘I’d like to close my career there’

Invicta FC flyweight champion Karina Rodriguez hopes to get the UFC call if successful in her first title defense at Invicta FC 46.

[autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] feels big things could be on her horizon if all goes right in her next trip to the cage.

The Invicta FC flyweight champion makes her first title defense this Wednesday night in the main event of Invicta FC 46, which live streams on MMA Junkie. Rodriguez (9-6) takes on Daiana Torquato (10-4) in an immediate rematch. The Mexican fighter was originally scheduled to take on Ketlen Souza, but the Brazilian had to withdraw due to undisclosed reasons.

Either way, Rodriguez hopes to get the UFC call if successful in her first title defense.

“I would love to fight in a bigger promotion like the UFC and I feel like I have everything necessary to perform in that organization and give a good performance,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “I’d like to close my career in that organization. I’d love to have that opportunity, but first is winning this title defense.

“I feel like by making this title defense more opportunities could open up, so I can make that long-awaited UFC debut. Hopefully, it happens.”

It’s no secret many of the Invicta FC champions end up in the UFC at some point in their careers due to the significance and prestige of winning an Invicta FC title in women’s MMA.

The 36-year-old feels more than ready to step in the octagon and she’s looking to prove it against Torquato.

“I’m ready and I feel like I can prove it in the cage,” Rodriguez said. “I can have very good fights in the UFC. Right now, I’m working on having more weapons in my arsenal and I’ll show that in this title defense. I want to be a more complete fighter and not just be seen as a striker. I want to take the fight to other areas, so I can showcase my complete work in MMA.”

[lawrence-related id=2529293,2527363,1987969]

Despite dreaming of making it in the premier MMA organization, Rodriguez is also focusing on not looking past her opponent and also enjoying this chapter of her career as Invicta FC champion.

“Every fight has its nerves, it’s just ups and downs,” Rodriguez said. “For every fight sometimes you’re super chill, super calm and then in other moments, the nerves kick in. It’s no different than any other fight as far as emotions.

“What I do want to do is enjoy the moment come fight night. The truth is that whenever I’ve been at my best, it’s when I’m enjoying the fight the most, when I’m the least worried about the result, and less worried about what’s next. So when I’m there in the moment enjoying, that’s when I get the best results and performances. I want to be there. I want to be in the moment. I don’t want to focus on what’s next. I want to be in the present.”

[vertical-gallery id=2529502]

Invicta FC 46: Rodriguez vs. Torquato 2 live stream and results

Watch a live video stream of Invicta FC 46, headlined by a title fight between Karina Rodriguez and Daiana Torquato, right here on MMA Junkie.

Invicta FC 46 takes place Wednesday at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., and MMA Junkie will provide the official live stream and results of the event right here beginning at 8 p.m. ET.

A flyweight title rematch headlines the event as [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] looks to defend for the first time against [autotag]Daiana Torquato[/autotag]. The pair first met at Invicta on AXS TV, where Rodriguez (9-6) won a unanimous decision over Torquato (10-4) to claim the vacant title.

[lawrence-related id=2527363]

The co-main event will see another pair of flyweights clash as [autotag]Denise Gomes[/autotag] (4-1) attempts to make it five wins in a row in her Invicta FC debut against UFC veteran [autotag]Milana Dudieva[/autotag] (12-8).

Below is the complete lineup and results for Invicta FC 46:

MAIN CARD (MMA Junkie, 8 p.m. ET):

  • Karina Rodriguez vs. Daiana Torquato – for flyweight title
  • Milana Dudieva vs. Denise Gomes
  • Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
  • Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
  • Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
  • Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

Mexico’s Karina Rodriguez reflects on historic Invicta FC title win: ‘It fills me with pride’

Karina Rodriguez looks back at her historic Invicta FC title win and what it means for female Mexican MMA.

[autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] is setting new boundaries for women’s MMA in Mexico.

The veteran flyweight became the second Mexico-born fighter to become a champion under a major MMA promotion and the first to achieve a title training on Mexican soil. Rodriguez (9-4) was crowned the Invicta FC flyweight champion last May by outpointing Daiana Torquato in the main event of Invicta FC 44.

She joined Jessica Aguilar, who won a WSOF title fighting out of American Top Team, among the only two female Mexicans who have won major belts. The Invicta FC championship belt was a monumental moment for Rodriguez and one that she had been in search of for many years.

“It did feel different because the pressure was different,” Rodriguez told MMA Junkie in Spanish. “In the other fights, I was a bit more relaxed. In this one, I was a little more pressured that I needed to win the belt, that I had the opportunity before and I wasn’t able to pull it off, and also the interviews in the lead up about potentially being the first Mexican female champion (in a major promotion).

“So I did feel that pressure, that responsibility of achieving my expectations on myself and others who expected the Invicta FC belt to go to Mexico. I did feel the pressure, but once I got my hand raised it was a feeling of achievement, as it was a goal that I had set years ago.”

[lawrence-related id=1987969,2527388]

Rodriguez, who trains out of Lobo Gym and Brazilian Warriors in Mexico, admits it took a while for the feeling to settle in that she made MMA history for Mexico.

“I’m not going to lie to you, at the beginning I did take a bit to get that feeling that I was champion and process all that,” Rodriguez said. “But little by little, I began to realize all the work that I had done, all the fights, that long journey to the belt.

“Now reaffirming myself as champion is something that’s very important for me. I think the first-time title defense for a fight is something that’s very important. It’s been a very long journey full of many good fights and obstacles, but I’m very happy to be in this position.”

Rodriguez returns to the cage to defend her title in a rematch with Torquato at Invicta FC 46 on March 9 after her original challenger, Brazil’s Ketlen Souza, withdrew from the fight. The 36-year-old is determined to retain her title, but beyond that, inspire the up-and-coming female fighters in Mexico.

“We’re pioneers of this sport in Mexico,” Rodriguez explained. “We started fighting in small leagues just trying to open that path for the new generations.

“And the fact that a female Mexican was able to crown herself champion, it opens up the doors a lot more and as well as the expectations for the young prospects, who are aiming higher and higher. They now have a path relatively easier to get to these bigger platforms. So being a pioneer and being part of that group of fighters who opened up the path for women’s MMA in Mexico, it fills me with pride.”

[vertical-gallery id=412936]

Ketlen Souza out of Invicta FC 46, Daiana Torquato to rematch Karina Rodriguez for flyweight title

A flyweight title rematch is now set for Invicta FC 46 after Ketlen Souza was forced out of the main event.

The main event of Invicta FC 46 is now a flyweight title rematch.

[autotag]Ketlen Souza[/autotag] (11-3) was scheduled to face Karina Rodriguez (9-4) for the Invicta flyweight title on March 9 at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan., however, the Brazilian has been forced out of the contest, the promotion announced. The reason for the change was not disclosed.

The new main event of Invicta FC 46 will be a title fight rematch as Daiana Torquato (10-4) will be elevated from her originally-scheduled co-main bout to face Rodriguez for the second-straight time. The pair first met at Invicta on AXS TV in May 2021, where Rodriguez won via unanimous decision.

With the main event shuffle, Milana Dudieva (12-8) will now face Denise Gomes (4-1) in the new flyweight co-main event.

Invicta FC 46 will be simulcast on both MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel, as well as Invicta FC’s YouTube channel, in addition to live-streaming on MMA Junkie starting at 8 p.m. ET on March 9.

The updated Invicta FC card includes:

  • Karina Rodríguez vs. Daiana Torquato – for flyweight title
  • Milana Dudieva vs. Denise Gomes
  • Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
  • Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
  • Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
  • Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

[listicle id=2527800]

Invicta FC 46 to live stream March 9 on MMA Junkie’s YouTube channel

Invicta FC returns to MMA Junkie for its second event of 2022.

Invicta FC is returning to MMA Junkie for its second event of 2022.

Invicta FC 46, which takes place March 9 will be simulcast on both MMA Junkie’s and Invicta FC’s YouTube channels, in addition to live-streaming on MMA Junkie starting at 8 p.m. ET. The event takes place at Police Athletic League in Kansas City, Kan.

“After a great event in January, we are thrilled to be working with MMA Junkie again for this upcoming card,” Invicta FC president Shannon Knapp said Wednesday in a statement. “They are supportive of our athletes and we are thankful to have them on board for another event.”

The promotion’s first event of the year, Invicta FC 45, live-streamed on MMA Junkie on Jan. 12. The event featured an atomweight title bout which saw Jessica Delboni defeat Alesha Zappitella in a dominant unanimous decision victory to become champion.

At Invicta FC 46, another exciting title fight headlines its March event as Mexico’s [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] puts her flyweight championship on the line against [autotag]Ketlen Souza[/autotag].

Rodriguez (9-4) claimed the vacant flyweight title by defeating Daiana Torquato via unanimous decision at Invicta on AXS TV in May 2021 to make history as the first Mexico-born champion in the promotion’s history.

Souza (11-3) will make her Invicta debut in a title bout riding hot on a three-fight win streak. In 2021, the Brazilian won three fights in less than three months’ time and will look to make a big splash with an immediate title shot.

The full lineup of Invicta FC 46 includes:

  • Karina Rodríguez vs. Ketlen Souza – for flyweight title
  • Daiana Torquato vs. Milana Dudieva
  • Danielle Taylor vs. Liz Tracy
  • Kristina Williams vs. Flore Hani
  • Paulina Granados vs. Monique Adriane
  • Fatima Kline vs. Nadia Vera

The Mujeres of Lobo Gym: Inside a Mexican MMA hotbed

MMA Junkie traveled to Guadalajara to highlight the rise of Lobo Gym, home to some of the most talented Hispanic female fighters today.

GUADALAJARA, Mexico – Many people might not know this, but the capital city of Jalisco is flourishing in the fight game thanks, in large part, to a collection of talented female mixed martial artists.

MMA Junkie traveled to the capital of Jalisco to highlight the rise of Lobo Gym and its particular contribution to MMA. Founded in 2010, Lobo Gym has stood out for producing the careers of some of the most notable Hispanic female fighters today.

From UFC and Bellator title contenders to Invicta FC champions, Lobo Gym head coach [autotag]Francisco Grasso[/autotag] and his staff are responsible for the career launches of [autotag]Alexa Grasso[/autotag], [autotag]Irene Aldana[/autotag], [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag], [autotag]Alejandra Lara[/autotag], [autotag]Paulina Vargas[/autotag], [autotag]Abigail Montes[/autotag], and more.

How did this come to fruition? MMA Junkie presents “The Mujeres of Lobo Gym,” an inside look at one of the top gyms in Mexico and Latin America.

Daiana Torquato ready to go to war with Karina Rodriguez at Invicta on AXS TV

Daiana Torquato knows she’s in for a battle when her and Karina Rodriguez vie for the top spot at 125 pounds.

[autotag]Daiana Torquato[/autotag] knows she’s in for a battle when her and [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] clash for the top spot at women’s flyweight.

Torquato (10-3) meets Rodriguez (8-4) for the vacant 125-pound title in the main event of Invicta on AXS TV on Friday, which takes place at the Police Athletic League in Kansas City, Kan. The card airs on AXS TV and streams on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel.

Rodriguez is coming off a loss to the promotion’s last titleholder Vanessa Porto, but notched back-to-back wins over veterans Milana Dudieva and DeAnna Bennett prior to that.

“I know Karina Rodriguez is very tough,” Torquato told MMA Junkie. “She’s a long-time veteran. It gives me extra motivation. It’s going to be a great fight. I will look for ways to win at every moment. I’m ready for us to go to war.”

She continued, “I’m getting ready in the best possible way. My head coach, Marcio Malko, has customized training sessions with me in mind. We train in strategy, physical conditioning, as well as mental and technical aspects. I’m getting ready to have my best possible performance on fight night.”

Torquato has faced an array of experienced opponents herself, having competed against several current UFC fighters. Her first stint with Invicta took place in September 2019, when she participated in the promotion’s one-night tournament at Phoenix Series 2. After edging out Dudieva in her opening bout, she was submitted by Bennett in her second fight.

However, the exhibition bouts were not counted on her record, which means the Brazilian is currently riding a six-fight winning streak heading into Friday. Torquato is coming off a split decision win over ex-UFC flyweight Sarah Frota in October and she hopes the caliber of opponents she’s faced throughout the years will help propel her to the top.

“Early on, I faced opponents like Taila Santos and Ariane Lipski,” Torquato said. “I’m happy to see them in the world’s top MMA promotion. They’re very tough. Over the last two and a half years, my coach has molded me into a more complete fighter. Most recently, I beat UFC veteran Sarah Frota. I was able to showcase the work I’ve been putting in. Every time I step into the cage, I want to show a better version of Daiana. I want to face the best fighters in the world, in the best promotions.”

Invicta FC’s AXS TV debut set for May 21 with two title fights

Invicta FC will kick off its new era on AXS TV with new owners Anthem Sports and Entertainment with a pair of title fights next month.

Invicta FC will kick off its new era on AXS TV with new owners Anthem Sports and Entertainment with a pair of title fights next month.

Invicta on AXS TV is set for May 21, a Friday, an Invicta official told MMA Junkie on Tuesday. The card will take place at the Police Athletic League in Kansas City, Kan. The two-hour main card will air on AXS TV at 8 p.m. ET. In addition, the full seven-fight card, including the two title fights, will be available as free streams on Invicta’s social media platforms.

In the main event, [autotag]Karina Rodriguez[/autotag] (8-4) will meet [autotag]Daiana Torquato[/autotag] (10-3) for the strawweight title vacated by Vanessa Porto when she signed with Bellator.

The co-feature also will be a title fight. Atomweight champion [autotag]Alesha Zappitella[/autotag] (8-2) will put her 105-pound title on the line for the first time when she takes on [autotag]Jessica Delboni[/autotag] (10-2).

Rodriguez, from Mexico, hasn’t fought since a November 2011 unanimous decision loss to Porto in the Invicta FC 38 co-main event. Prior to that, she had back-to-back decision wins in 2019 against Milana Dudieva and DeAnna Bennett.

Torquato, from Brazil, first fought for Invicta at the promotion’s one-night tournament at Phoenix Series 2 in September 2019. After a split decision win over Dudieva in her opening bout, she was submitted by Bennett in her second fight. Those bouts were exhibitions and not counted on her record, though, which technically gives her a six-fight winning streak heading into the title fight.

Zappitella went 3-0 in 2020, despite the trials the year brought to the MMA world. After back-to-back decision losses in 2019 to Viviane Pereira at Invicta FC 35 and Kanna Asakura at RIZIN 18, she took decisions from Kelly D’Angelo and Lindsey VanZAndt in 2020, then submitted Ashley Cummins in the fourth round this past September to win the vacant atomweight title.

Brazil’s Delboni has won three of her past four, including a decision over Herica Tiburcio at Invicta FC 42 this past September. That got her back in the win columnn after a TKO loss to Julia Polastri at a Shooto event in Brazil 11 months prior.

Additional fights for Invicta’s AXS TV debut are expected to be announced in the coming weeks.