Invicta’s Shannon Knapp sees validation not threat in UFC
Invicta FC was the undisputed world’s premier women’s MMA organization. Then the UFC added a 135 lb. division. Invicta’s founder and…
Invicta FC was the undisputed world’s premier women’s MMA organization. Then the UFC added a 135 lb. division. Invicta’s founder and president Shannon Knapp expressed little concern, noting they’re doing one weight class; I’ve got five.
Now the UFC will have two women’s weight classes – 115 lbs. and 135 lbs. Further, 105 lb female fighters will fight up and 145 lbs female fighters will fight down and 125 pound female fighters will fight up or down. So the line up will be head to head. Further, the UFC is an institutionally highly competitive company, one in which the president gleefully holds up a tombstone with the names of rivals promotions on it.
Still, Knapp maintains a good relationship with her former employers, and sees the developments not as a threat, but positively.
I look at it as validation, said Knapp to MMAJunkie’s Ben Fowlkes. It’s validation that we really are making a difference. I look at it as a validation for all the athletes, that they’re getting noticed. I think that’s hugely important for the sport right now, especially the females.
I may be a nice person, but I’m not a stupid person. I’m going to continue to do what I do and focus on that. What they do over there, I have a good relationship with them so it’s not like I don’t have a heads-up or don’t know. As for my fighters, I would never hinder someone from advancement, because I think that advancement helps both sides. It helps them and it helps Invicta.
“It’s always going to be a victory for me if we’re making a difference. It’s never been about money for me. It’s always been about keeping Invicta going. Obviously, you have to make money to do that, but I’ve never been too concerned with making sure that all that money ends up in my pocket.
INVICTA FC 7
December 7, 2013
Ameristar Casino Hotel
Kansas City, Missouri
Main Card (Online PPV, 7 p.m. ET)
Barb Honchak vs. Leslie Smith for flyweight title
Carla Esparza vs. Claudia Gadelha for strawweight title
Lauren Murphy vs. Miriam Nakamoto for inaugural bantamweight title
Felice Herrig vs. Tecia Torres
Joanne Calderwood vs. Katja Kankaanpaa
Julia Budd vs. Charmaine Tweet
Zoila Frausto Gurgel vs. Vanessa Porto
Sarah D’Alelio vs. Tonya Evinger
Nina Ansaroff vs. Munah Holland
