DENVER – The fight card for “Invicta FC 52: Machado vs. McCormack” is now complete with the addition of two strawweight contests. The bouts join the previously announced match-ups, which take place Wednesday, March 15 from Reelworks Denver.
Two-time atomweight title challenger Minna “Brutsku” Grusander (6-4) of Finland moves to the 115-pound division to take on undefeated Irish athlete Shauna “Mama B” Bannon (4-0). Grusander will step into the Invicta cage for the first time since 2018, when she pushed then-champion Jinh Yu Frey to the limit on two occasions. Bannon, meanwhile, made a successful promotional debut in September and will aim to keep her perfect record intact.
Also in the strawweight division, red-hot prospect Fatima “The Archangel” Kline (3-0) looks to continue her ascension through the ranks when she welcomes Russian judoka Natalia “Kuzya” Kuziutina (1-0) to the organization. New York’s Kline showcased her well-rounded attack in January, besting “The Ultimate Fighter” veteran Laura Gallardo on the scorecards. American Top Team’s Kuziutina earned an Olympic bronze medal in 2016 but has recently turned her attention toward mixed martial arts.
Finally, bantamweight Alexa Conners has been forced from her clash with undefeated Mexican Montserrat “Monster” Rendon (5-0). Stepping in for Conners will be Rendon’s countrywomen, Maria “Leona” Favela (4-2), who makes her third Invicta appearance.
“Invicta FC 52: Machado vs. McCormack” is headlined by the first title defense for strawweight champion Valesca “Tina Black” Machado (12-3), who collides with Ireland’s Danni “Mac” McCormack (6-2). The event will be overseen by the Colorado Combative Sports Commission and will feature open scoring. It kicks off at 9 p.m. ET and airs live on Invicta’s official YouTube Channel and Facebook Page, AXS TV in the U.S., Fight Network in Canada, Fox Sports in Mexico, Globo’s Combate in Brazil, DirecTV across Latin America, Viaplay and Match TV in Europe and Star Times across Africa. Tickets to the event are on sale now through Eventbrite.
The Invicta FC 52 lineup includes:
- Champ Valesca Machado vs. Danni McCormack – for strawweight title
- Karolina Wojcik vs. Ediana Silva
- Minna Grusander vs. Shauna Bannon
- Montserrat Rendon vs. Maria Favela
- Amber Leibrock vs. Ramona Pascual
- Fatima Kline vs. Natalia Kuziutina
- Sayury Canon vs. Amanda Macioce
