Bantamweight rising star Jessamyn “The Gun” Duke is set to take on her toughest opponent to date when she faces multi-time Muay Thai champion Miriam Nakamoto at Invicta Fighting Championships 5 on April 5th in Kansas City, Missouri. The 135-pound bout was officially announced today.
Duke has been very impressive in her two fights under the Invicta FC banner and rallied to submit Marciea “The Black Widow” Allen late in round one at Invicta FC 3. Nakamoto, who sports a stellar 15-0 Muay Thai record, made a successful MMA debut in September when she stopped Elizabeth Phillips.
Duke (2-0-0) enjoyed a solid 5-2 run as an amateur that included title reigns for Absolute Action MMA and Tuff-N-Uff. She concluded her amateur career by submitting the aforementioned Phillips in March. Duke kicked off her professional career for Invicta FC on the promotion’s second card in July and earned a third-round TKO win over veteran striker Suzie “La China” Montero. She returned to action in October and engaged in an action-packed battle with Allen before pulling off a quick armbar late in the opening round. The slick victory earned Duke a share of the night’s Submission of the Night bonus.
Nakamoto (1-0-0) is widely regarded as one of the very best female strikers in the world. During her decorated Muay Thai career, Nakamoto held numerous titles including the WBC and WMC lightweight championships and the WKC Champion of Champions belt, which she won by defeating Julie Kitchen. In September, Nakamoto made her MMA debut against Phillips for Red Canvas Fights and prevailed via a dominant second-round TKO after landing a series of knees. While training alongside fellow Invicta FC competitors Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis and Sarah “The Monster” D’Alelio at Combat Sports Academy, Nakamoto has developed her overall MMA game and now makes her Invicta FC debut.
Invicta Fighting Championships 5 takes place on April 5th and is targeted for the Ameristar Casino Hotel in Kansas City, Missouri. The event is headlined by an Invicta FC Atomweight Championship bout between champion Jessica Penne and Michelle “The Karate Hottie” Waterson. The inaugural Invicta FC Flyweight Championship is up for grabs when Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak battles Vanessa Porto.
(Photo Credit: Esther Lin, AllElbows.com / InvictaFC.com)
Miriam Nakamoto should be fighting Germaine De Randaime!
When will this fight happen?
De randaime fights @145, miriam @135, but it wouldbe a hell of a good fight. de randemaime hits hard, and miriam is really good too
Actually, De Randaime is a natural 135 lber., and she fought at 145 lbs only twice (I think her walk around weight is 144 lbs).
She actually fought Vanessa Porto (a 125 lber), and Nikohl Johnson and Stephanie Webber in the 135 lbs. division.
Miriam and Germaine are in the same category.
This is a fight that makes so much sense!