Multi-time amateur champs Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres and Kaiyana Rain are set to make their pro debuts in a featured strawweight matchup at Invicta Fighting Championships 3 on October 6th in Kansas City, Kansas. MMARising.com confirmed plans for the 115-pound bout earlier today.
Torres has amassed one of the most impressive amateur careers of any female mixed martial artist to date, with seven wins and three championship titles in a span of just ten months. Rain has captured titles for Tuff-N-Uff and Momentum FC and she avenged her lone career defeat this past month.
Torres (7-0-0 amateur) has torn through the competition since making her MMA debut in September. The gifted striker posted a 16-4 record under K-1 and Muay Thai rules and captured multiple kickboxing titles before looking for a new challenge in mixed martial arts. She has not looked back since. Currently the number one-ranked amateur female fighter at 115 pounds, Torres has won all five of her MMA bouts this year and she has captured title gold in each of her past three fights.
Despite giving up a size advantage to many of her opponents, Torres has had little trouble in dictating where each of her fights takes place and she has rapidly developed into one of the most well-rounded female competitors in her division. In June, Torres earned a lopsided five-round Unanimous Decision victory over the previously unbeaten Ashley “Doll Face” Greenway and she concluded her amateur career with a win over Amber “The Apex Predator” Stautzenberger this past month.
Torres is a three-time amateur champion; holding 115-pound titles for MMA Solutions, U.S. Freedom Fighter Championship and American Battle Championship. She celebrates her 23rd birthday tomorrow.
Rain (5-1-1 amateur) got a later start in mixed martial arts than her opponent, but she has proven on multiple occasions that she can compete with the best female fighters at 115 pounds. Training with elite-level fighters as a member of the Werdum Combat Team and Kings MMA, including Invicta FC 3 main event participant Jessica Penne, Rain has also improved her skills at a rapid rate and in a short period of time. She possesses strong striking skills and an excellent ground game.
After winning three of her first five fights, Rain was matched up against teen prospect Jordan Nicole “Ninja Princess” Gaza for the vacant Tuff-N-Uff 115-pound women’s title in May. Despite being seen as an underdog by some, Rain made short work of Gaza and submitted her opponent in just 64 seconds. Two months later, Rain capped off her amateur career by avenging her only loss. Facing off against Momentum FC champion Stephanie “The Shark” Gonzalez for a second time, Rain controlled enough of the three-round rematch to earn a Unanimous Decision victory and the Momentum FC title.
Rain looks to follow the lead of her teammate, Penne, by picking up a big win in her Invicta FC debut.
Invicta Fighting Championships 3 takes place on October 6th at Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Kansas. The event is headlined by an Invicta FC Atomweight Championship bout between Jessica Penne and Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama.
Invicta Fighting Championships 3 Fight Card (to date; subject to change):
– Jessica Penne vs Naho “Sugi Rock” Sugiyama [Atomweight (105-Pound) Championship]
– Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler vs Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio [135 Pounds]
– Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak vs Aisling “Ais The Bash” Daly [125 Pounds]
– Tara LaRosa vs Vanessa Porto [125 Pounds]
– Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith vs Cat “Alpha” Zingano [135 Pounds]
– Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson vs Lacey “The Ladie” Schuckman [105 Pounds]
– Julia “The Jewel” Budd vs Elaina “Beef” Maxwell [145 Pounds]
– Carla Esparza vs Lynn “Lights Out” Alvarez [115 Pounds]
– Ashley “Smashley” Cummins vs Joanne Calderwood [115 Pounds]
– Amy “Lil’ Dynamite” Davis vs Stephanie “Macaquinha” Frausto [105 Pounds]
– Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke vs Marciea “Black Widow” Allen [135 Pounds]
– Tecia “The Tiny Tornado” Torres vs Kaiyana Rain [115 Pounds]
– Katalina Malungahu vs Taylor “No Mercy” Stratford [145 Pounds]