Former UFC title challenger Jennifer Maia made Invicta FC history Friday evening.
At Invicta FC 59, which took place at The Eastern in Atlanta, Maia (23-10-1) faced incoming Invicta bantamweight champion Talita Bernardo in the main event. Bernardo (11-5) sought a second defense of her title, but Maia won a unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46) to become the first two-division champion in Invicta FC history.
The fight was competitive early on the feet and on the mat. Both fighters threatened deep submission attempts in the fight: Maia with an armbar and Bernardo with a kneebar.
.@jennimaiaufc threatens an armbar but @Talita_MMA escapes and takes top control again!#InvictaFC59 pic.twitter.com/5up6s8GFNO
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) December 14, 2024
.@Talita_MMA was cranking on that kneebar, but @jennimaiaufc escapes! #InvictaFC59 pic.twitter.com/iOhb0PN4nH
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) December 14, 2024
As the fight continued on, Maia pulled away on the scorecards behind effective striking and grappling. Bernardo fought hard throughout and created a few interesting scramble moments late, but Maia consistently found herself in advantageous positions.
#AndNew! @jennimaiaufc claims the Invicta FC Bantamweight Championship via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)! #InvictaFC59 pic.twitter.com/pUApszVssV
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) December 14, 2024
With the result, Maia becomes the first two-division champion in Invicta FC history. Maia won the Invicta flyweight title in 2016 by defeating Vanessa Porto at Invicta FC 16, a title she defended twice before moving to the UFC in 2018.
Maia returned to Invicta in August after a 12-fight run under the UFC banner which included a shot at Valentina Shevchenko’s flyweight title at UFC 255.
Full Invicta FC 59 results include:
- Jennifer Maia def. Talita Bernardo via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 49-46)
- Paula Bittencourt def. Alejandra Lara via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Valesca Machado def. Yasmin Castanho via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
- Ana Palacios def. Monique Adriane via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- Fernanda Orellana def. Ashley Barrett via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:24
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