Invicta FC 45 set for Jan. 12, headlined by Alesha Zappitella vs. Jessica Delboni title rematch

An atomweight title rematch is set to headline Invicta FC’s first event of 2022.

Champion Alesha Zappitella will put her 105-pound belt on the line when she runs it back with Jessica Delboni on Jan. 12 at Invicta FC 45 from Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kan.

Zappitella (8-2) won the vacant atomweight title in September 2020 when she submitted Ashley Cummins with a Von Flue Choke in the fourth round. Zappitella’s lone title defense was against Delboni this past May at Invicta FC 44, winning a close five-round split decision to retain.

Delboni (11-3) rebounded from that defeat to win the atomweight tournament this past June at Invicta FC: Phoenix Series 4, winning three fights in one night. She defeated Lindsey VanZandt by unanimous decision in a three-round final to reestablish herself as the No. 1 contender at 105 pounds.

The complete Invicta FC 45 lineup includes:

• Champ Alesha Zappitella vs. Jéssica Delboni – for atomweight title
• Claire Guthrie vs. Lauren Mueller
•  Morgan Frier vs. Courtney King
• Hailey Cowan vs. Monica Franco
• Hilarie Rose vs. Emily Whitmire