KANSAS CITY, Kan. — On Wednesday, Invicta Fighting Championships hosted “Invicta FC 46: Rodriguez vs. Torquato 2” from Memorial Hall. The event was simulcast on Invicta FC’s YouTube channel and MMA Junkie.

The flyweight title was once again on the line between Mexico’s Karina Rodriguez (10-4) and Brazilian challenger Daiana Torquato (10-5). Torquato opened the rematch with a heavy leg kick. Rodriguez responded with a jab-straight combination to slow Torquato’s advance. Rodriguez turned up her own forward march, willingly trading with Torquato inside the pocket. Rodriguez closed the distance and Torquato delivered a pair of knees. Rodriguez returned the favor as the fighters disengaged. Torquato earned an outside-trip takedown late in the round. 

The second round began with Rodriguez throwing long punches to control the range. Torquato continued her assault on the lead leg of the Mexican fighter. The Brazilian dragged Rodriguez to the ground, but she quickly bounced back to her feet. Torquato stuck with it and brought the fight to the canvas to close the frame. 

In round three, both fighters mixed up their attacks. Both threw with power and kept one another guessing with kicks. The lead leg of Rodriguez bruised from the low kicks of Torquato. 

The championship rounds opened with power shots from both fighters. Torquato connected with a right hand and the pair clinched. Rodriguez delivered a great elbow on the break and they again returned to range. Torquato’s low-kick attack did not relent, but nor did Rodriguez’s advance. A heavy body kick from Rodriguez was turned into a body lock by Torquato. She dragged the fight to the ground and managed to scramble to the top position. Rodriguez scored with an upkick to end the frame. 

The final round opened with a trade of knees in the clinch. Rodriguez landed another big elbow, but was answered with a heavy right hand by Torquato. Torquato was able to duck under and secure a body lock, but Rodriguez fought her way out of it. The Brazilian kept looking for a decisive takedown, but Rodriguez stayed on the feet and encouraged Torquato to brawl. 

The two, talented warriors went to the scorecards again, but this time the cards were even closer. One judge scored it for the challenger Torquato, but the other two overruled, allowing Rodriguez to retain her title.

Denise Gomes shocks Milana Dudieva

The co-main event kicked off with fireworks as newcomer Denise Gomes (5-1) took on UFC veteran Milana Dudieva (12-9). Dudieva fired a right hand down the pipe to back up the Brazilian. That was short-lived, however as Gomes starting powering forward. After trading shots in the clinch, Dudieva secured a takedown. Gomes attempted a leg lock, but absorbed heavy shots for her troubles. Dudieva took the back and dropped two-handed strikes. 

The Brazilian was resilient, escaping and taking Dudieva’s back late. Gomes was relentless with her pressure, staying in the pocket and swinging. An errant kick landed low on Dudieva and was followed shortly after by an eye poke. Once the action continued, Dudieva made Gomes pay for the fouls. She dropped the Brazilian with an overhand right and flurried hard for a finish. Gomes survived and returned to the feet, only to get dropped a second time. Dudieva attacked recklessly to close the frame, but she could not put Gomes away. 

Gomes went for broke in round three and her constant pressure finally paid off. She backed Dudieva to the fence and unloaded with heavy punches. A knee from Gomes sent Dudieva crashing to the mat and after a barrage of punches, the referee intervened to halt the contest and hand Gomes the surprising comeback win.

Invicta FC 46 results include:

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