Invicta FC 58: Ducote vs. Ostroverkhova

Preview & Predictions

Invicta is back in Kansas City this week for IFC 58. Emily Ducote takes center stage as she attempts to get her career back on track. Other notable names that are fighting include Victoria Leonardo and Shanna Young. The card consists of eight matches across four weight classes with athletes representing six countries.

Catch all the action this Wednesday at 7:00 PM (ET). The prelims air on Invicta’s YouTube Channel and the main card will be on CBS Sports.

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— Prelim Card —

1. Zoe Nowicki vs. Barbara Grabowska

- Flyweight 125 lbs -

Prediction: Zoe Nowicki by Round 1 Submission

Zoe Nowicki went undefeated as an amateur (10-0) and she won her first pro fight at Invicta FC 55. Most of her wins were by decision but she has a few submissions as well. At only twenty four years old, Nowicki has plenty of time to climb the ladder. It appears the matchmakers are trying to build her up because she is clearly the superior fighter in this matchup.

Barbara Grabowska is the first of two Polish fighters on this card. She’s returning from a four-year layoff and this is her MMA pro debut. A closer look at her record reveals that she made her pro boxing debut in 2015. Grabowska went 8-3 as an amateur with mixed results. She was submitted by PFL Europe’s Paulina Wisniewska. Grabowska also dropped a concerning decision to Dee Begley (4-6) during her amateur days. To say the least, the Bagley loss is a red flag.

The promotion is doing Nowicki a favor with this match up. It’s up to her to take advantage of the opportunity.

Betting Strategy: Nowicki on the moneyline as a parlay piece and Nowicki by submission as an individual wager.

2. Sayury Canon vs. Abril Anguiano

- Strawweight 125 lbs -

Prediction: Sayury Canon by Decision

Sayury Canon was on the wrong side of a split decision against Kay Hansen in her last fight. In Canon’s defense, Kay Hansen is a former UFC fighter. If Canon can produce a similar effort against Abril Anguiano, it should be enough to earn the win. The key to victory for Canon is staying off her back and maintaining good volume. Hansen was able to neutralize Canon’s offense by closing the distance and tying her up.

Abril Anguiano has fought exclusively for regional promotions against limited opposition. For example, her last match was against a fighter, Liana Pirosin, that’s 2-6 in her last eight. Until we see evidence that Anguiano can hold her own against fighters like Canon, she’s an easy fade in this spot.

Betting Strategy: The fight goes to decision as a parlay piece and Canon on the moneyline as a parlay piece.

3. Shanna Young vs. Pamela Aguirre

- Bantamweight 135 lbs -

Prediction: Shanna "The Shanimal" Young by Decision

Shanna Young is an MMA veteran with experience in some of the biggest promotions. She’s fought in the UFC, PFL, on Contender Series and she’s 1-1 in Invicta. In sixteen pro fights, she’s only been stopped twice, once by knockout and once by submission. Unfortunately, it’s been a rough go for Young the last few years. She’s 3-6 in her last nine. You have to go all the way back to 2019 to find the last time she won two fights in a row. To Young’s credit, many of her defeats were against solid competition like Miranda Maverick, Kana Watanabe and Macy Chiasson.

Pamela Aguirre is based out of Argentina but she’s originally from Paraguay. At thirty six years old, it’s now or never if Aguirre wants to make some traction with her career. She’s 2-5 in her last seven matches. Furthermore, Ms. Aguirre hasn’t had her hand raised in an MMA fight in almost a decade. There is nothing about Aguirre’s resume that suggests she can defeat Young.

All arrows are pointing towards a victory for the “Shanimal”. Young may end up the largest betting favorite when the sportsbooks publish the betting lines.

Betting Strategy: The fight goes over 1.5 rounds as a parlay piece and Young on the moneyline as a parlay piece.

4. Victoria Leonardo vs. Amanda Torres

- Flyweight 125 lbs -

Prediction: Victoria "Fury" Leonardo by Decision

Victoria Leonardo is in a rut that’s included defeats in four of her last five. To make matters worse, she was finished in all four of those losses. At thirty four years old and in the midst of the worst stretch of her career, it’s fair to wonder how much she has left in the tank.

Amanda Torres is also desperate for a win after dropping six of her last nine bouts. She was knocked out in the second round of her last fight. The biggest difference between Torres and Leonardo is the level of competition. Leonardo has faced good competition in Bellator, LFA and the UFC whereas Torres has one fight in LFA.

They’ve each been to their share of split decisions. It wouldn’t surprise anyone if this goes to the scorecards for a close decision.

Betting Strategy: The fight goes to decision as a parlay piece and Leonardo on the moneyline as parlay piece.

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— Main Card —

5. Magdalena Czaban vs. Jessica Holmes

- Atomweight 105 lbs -

Prediction: Magdalena "Atomówka" Czaban by Round 1 Submission

Magdalena Czaban is a Polish prospect fighting for the first time in North America. Her 1-0 pro record is a little misleading. Czaban went 22-3 as an amateur, including one grappling match and a kickboxing bout. Czaban has tons of experience for a twenty five year old. She does her best work on the ground. Her last three wins were by submission, including her pro debut back in March. If Czaban is able to get the fight to the mat, she’ll be a threat to submit Holmes.

Like Czaban, Jessica Holmes had plenty of amateur experience. She went 9-6 as an amateur before making her pro debut a few months ago. Holmes has a few submissions but she’s also been submitted herself. She’ll need to be mindful of grappling with Czaban.

Betting Strategy: Magdalena Czaban on the moneyline as a parlay piece and Czaban by submission as an individual wager.

6. Zurina Turrey vs. Joy Pendell

- Featherweight 145 lbs -

Prediction: Joy "Killjoy" Pendell by Decision

Zurina Turrey is an American fighter making her Invicta debut. She’s fighting for the fifth time in the last two years. Turrey went 4-1 as an amateur prior to going pro in 2022. Turrey prefers to operate at kickboxing range. In ten total fights, amateur included, she has yet to secure a submission.

Joy Pendell went 5-2 as an amateur before going pro last year. Notably, four of her amateur wins were by knockout. After dropping her pro debut last year, Pendell has put together three wins in a row. Much like Turrey, Pendell fights several times a year.

They share a common opponent, Jaeleen Robledo. Pendell defeated Robledo by decision whereas Turrey was submitted by Robledo. For that reason, we’re inclined to go with Pendell. Additionally, Pendell will have a slight size advantage.

Betting Strategy: The fight goes to decision as a parlay piece and Pendell on the moneyline as a parlay piece.