Australian Bec Hyatt went down on the main card of Invicta Fighting Championships 6 today as she was defeated by 18 year-old Japanese starlet Mizuki Inoue. The fight occured at the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri.
Hyatt took the centre on the cage early as she popped the jab out to find her distance. Hyatt landed some nice one-two punches before Inoue countered with a left hook and landed a one-two of her own. Fighters clinched against the cage with Hyatt pushing the action. The fighters exchanged some short dirty boxing before Inoue reversed the position standing against the cage. From there, Hyatt landed a knee to the mid-section as Inoue attacked with knees to Hyatt’s thigh. Inoue tripped Hyatt to the ground and immediately attacked for the armbar submission. Hyatt though was never in major danger as she returned back to her feet and went immediately on the attack.
Hyatt came out aggressive in the second round as the two fighters this time clinched early in the round. Inoue again utilised the trip to get the fight to the ground. This time Inoue was able to keep the top position as she landed punches and short elbows before moving to half-guard. Inoue transitions to the side-control where she landed a knee to the body before Hyatt worked back to her feet. Hyatt again ended the round aggressively coming forward with punches however after two rounds, Hyatt needed a stoppage in the last round.
The Brisbane based fighter came out strong in the third as Inoue stayed light on her feet and showed great head movement to move away from the early punches thrown by the Aussie. As the round went on, Hyatt started to find her mark connecting with some punches as both fighters exchanged heavy shots. Hyatt started to come into her own in the last round but in the end, Inoue never seemed to be in any great danger.
The judges award the fight to Inoue who took her professional record to 6-1 with a unanimous 29-28 judges decision on all three judges cards. It was the second win over an Australian opponent for Inoue who back in March 2012 defeated highly regarded Alex Chambers by a first round submission. The loss takes Hyatt’s professional record to 5-3. Hyatt recently extended her Invicta FC contract to a new 6 fight deal.
The pay-per-view event was headlined by Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino who dominated Marloes Coenen to capture the promotions inaugural 145 lb title. “Cyborg” got the devastating TKO stoppage at 4:42 of the fourth round.
Main Card (PPV):
- Cristiane Cyborg def Marloes Coenen via TKO (Punches), Rd 4, 4:02
- Claudia Gadelha def Ayaka Hamasaki via TKO (Punches), Rd 3, 3:58
- Lauren Taylor def Sarah D’Alelio via Decision (Unanimous)
- Leslie Smith def Jennifer Maia via Decision (Unanimous)
- Jessica Penne def Nicdali River-Calanoc via Submission (Rear-Naked Choke), Rd 1, 4:57
- Joanne Calderwood def Norma Center via Decision (Unanimous)
- Mizuki Inoue def Bec Hyatt via Decision (Unanimous)
- Miriam Nakamoto def Duda Yankovic via TKO, Rd 1, 2:08
- Tecia Torres def Rose Namajunas via Decision (Unanimous)
Undercard:
- Ediane Gomes vs Tamikka Brents (Fight Cancelled due to injury suffered by Brents)
- Emily Kagan def Ashley CUmmins via Decision (Split)
- Livia Von Plettenberg def Kathina Catron via Decision (Unanimous)
