Shannon Knapp to launch Invicta Boxing Championships

Despite its issues, the vast majority of fighters want to get into the UFC. There is no certain consensus on what league is the surest route up. Lou Neglia’s Ring of Combat, World Series of Fighting, Legacy Fighting Alliance, Titan Fighting Championships are among a group that constantly sends fighters up to the biggest show.

But that’s for men.

For women’s MMA, there is only one – Invicta Fighting Championship. Under the direction of founder Shannon Knapp, the surest way for a woman to get into the UFC is by excelling in Invicta.

In 2014 when the UFC determined to add a new women’s strawweight division they got 11 fighters from Invicta FC. Claudia Gadelha couldn’t stay on weight and was dropped, Juliana Lima had insufficient English and was dropped, and Paige VanZant was too young and was dropped. Eight other fighters were added via tryouts, leaving 16 for a tournament.

In the end, inaugural Invicta FC strawweight champion Carla Esparza became the inaugural UFC strawweight champion. Gadelha ended up the #1 contender, Lima is in the top 15, and PVZ main events UFC of FOX 22 on Saturday night.

Now Knapp intends to do it again, in a different combat sport. The announcement came via Josh Gross.

Just spoke with @shanknapp and she told me she's launching a female boxing league the 1st quarter of 2017: the Invicta Boxing Championships.

— Josh Gross (@yay_yee) December 15, 2016

Knapp said it would be a completely separate promotion, and not mixed into Invicta. The first fighter feedback was all positive with Invicta FC strawweight Lacey Schuckman tweeting, “I want in boss!”

There is no word yet on whether the new promotion will stream on UFC Fight Pass.