It wasn’t easy, but Karina Rodriguez can still call herself Invicta flyweight champion.
In a short-notice rematch at Invicta FC 46, Rodriguez (10-4) met Daiana Torquato, the same fighter she defeated to become Invicta champ in May 2021 at Invicta on AXS TV. Ketlen Souza was the originally scheduled opponent for Rodriguez, but was forced out of the contest due to undisclosed reasons. Torquato (10-5) was elevated from her co-main bout against Milana Dudieva to get another crack at claiming Invicta gold.
The flyweights picked up right where they left off in their first meeting, as Torquato and Rodriguez wasted little time in the first round before trading strikes. Both fighters found success on the feet early, but Torquato hit a beautiful outside trip takedown to take the fight to the mat with around 40 seconds remaining. It was a close round that left the judges split on who earned 10 points on the scorecard.
Torquato looked to clinch more in the second round and successfully brought the fight to the mat with over a minute remaining this time. However, Torquato couldn’t get much done on the ground because the champ did well to stop any significant offense.
Rodriguez was able to stay upright for the entirety of the third round and let her hands and feet go often as Torquato was unable to find success in the clinch game, but she was able to land nice kicks.
Judges are at a draw so far in our main event between @Torquatowmma & @kari_mma!#InvictaFC46
LIVE on YouTube: https://t.co/6UmYzN3CvU pic.twitter.com/Ibch7I4XlW
— Invicta FC (@InvictaFights) March 10, 2022
The fourth round was similar to the third, until Torquato went for a takedown that was initially reversed with over a minute to go. However, Torquato was able to get back on top before they returned to the feet and traded strikes before heading to their stools for the final break of the fight.
The fifth was the highest-paced round of the fight with back-and-forth action throughout. Both fighters knew the fight was close and did their best to put their stamp on the round. Rodriguez landed a few hard strikes before Torquato looked to clinch. The champ kept the fight standing and the pair picked their strikes until the fight concluded.
The two judges who saw the fight in favor of Rodriguez were Kevin Champion who saw it 48-47 and Greg DiVilbiss who turned in the widest score of 49-46. The dissenting judge who scored the fight for Torquato was judge David Sutherland who turned in a 48-47 for the challenger.
Although it came down to a split decision, Rodriguez secured the first defense of her title, as she picked up her second-straight win over Torquato.
The full results of Invicta FC 46 include:
- Karina Rodriguez def. Daiana Torquato via split decision (48-47, 47-48, 49-46) – for flyweight title
- Denise Gomes def. Milana Dudieva via TKO (punches) – Round 3, 1:56
- Liz Tracy def. Danielle Taylor via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
- Kristina Williams def. Flore Hani via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
- Monique Adriane def. Paulina Granados via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)
