Invicta Fighting Championships continues to expand its roster with the additions of Sugar Creek Showdown champion Jinh Yu Frey and former multi-time amateur titleholder Amanda Bobby Cooper. Officials confirmed the signings on Wednesday following announcements from both fighters.
Frey captured the SCS women’s atomweight title in her pro debut this past April and retained her belt with a highlight-reel knockout win in July. Cooper kicked off her professional career with an impressive submission win over fellow amateur standout Brittany “Too Smooth” Dugas this past month.
Frey (2-0-0) concluded her five-fight stint as an amateur by challenging for the vacant Tuff-N-Uff 110-pound women’s title in September 2012. She dropped a close decision to Jordan McDonald in a clinch-heavy fight and opted to make the move down to 105 pounds for her pro debut. Facing off against Invicta FC veteran Meghan Wright, Frey needed just over two minutes to secure a submission that earned her the SCS Women’s Atomweight Championship. She returned to action in July and became an Internet sensation thanks to her brutal knockout of Darla “Train Wreck” Harris at SCS 18.
As the 105-pound women’s weight class continues to develop, Frey is one of the division’s brightest prospects thanks to her knockout power and rapidly-improving submission game. The 28-year-old Texan has earned first-round finishes in four of her five pro and amateur wins, and she now looks to make an impact upon Invicta FC’s atomweight division later this year.
Cooper (1-0-0) amassed a stellar 8-3 record in amateur competition that included four title reigns in two different weight classes. She knocked out or submitted her opponents in all eight wins and finished her amateur career on a four-fight winning streak as a flyweight. After a number of planned bouts fell apart, Cooper ultimately made her long-awaited pro debut on February 14th against Dugas, who went 7-0 in the amateur ranks. In an action-packed fight, Cooper secured a rear-naked choke that forced Dugas to submit with one second remaining in the second round.
Invicta FC’s flyweight division features some of the sport’s biggest names, including champion Barb “Little Warrior” Honchak and recent title challengers Vanessa Porto and Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith. At age 22, Cooper remains young in both life and in her MMA career, but the Michigan native has the potential to be a future contender on the Invicta FC roster.
Both Frey and Cooper could be a part of Invicta Fighting Championships 8, which was initially targeted for April. An exact date and location have not yet been announced for the card.
(Photo Credit: Charles Nguyen, Charlie in the Tree Photography)