Invicta FC signs multi-year deal to air events on UFC Fight Pass
The UFC has signed a multi-event, multi year deal with Invicta Fighting Championships -- the premiere all-women's MMA promotion -- to air shows and previous content on Fight Pass, the UFC's online digital network.
The deal is a first of its kind for the UFC as they continue to expand their footprint in the new digital network in 2014.
Invicta FC was founded by Shannon Knapp, a former executive with Strikeforce, and quickly became the breeding ground for the top women's fighters in the world. Invicta actually provided the UFC with their entire strawweight division, which helped to make up the cast for the upcoming Ultimate Fighter season coached by Anthony Pettis and Gilbert Melendez.
Now all of Invicta's past fights as well as future cards will air exclusively on UFC Fight Pass with the first live show expected for late this summer.
"This is a great day for my company," Knapp said in a press release. "Since the start of Invicta, I’ve been committed to providing the biggest and best possible platform for women athletes and, with this distribution deal with UFC Fight Pass, Invicta will reach the most passionate MMA fans, wherever they are in the world.
"We are targeting a late-summer event, headlined by a world title fight. This is an historic event for myself, the company and my athletes, and every one of them is going to want to be on this first card."
Invicta FC employs several weight classes currently not featured in the UFC including a 105-pound division, a 115-pound division, a 125-pound division and a 145-pound division. In case anyone is curious, the reigning and defending champion in Invicta at 145-pounds just happens to be former Strikeforce champion Cris 'Cyborg' Justino.
An announcement bout the first Invicta event on Fight Pass is expected in the coming weeks.