A bout between unbeaten atomweights “Lightning” Liz McCarthy and Jodie Esquibel is in the works for Invicta Fighting Championships 4 in January. MMARising.com has confirmed with sources close to the promotion that verbal agreements are in place for the targeted 105-pound matchup.
McCarthy made her professional debut under the Invicta FC banner in July and put on arguably the best performance of her career in stopping Jessica Philippus at the end of round one. Esquibel has won both of her pro bouts for the Jackson’s MMA Series and is one of the top strikers in the division.
McCarthy (1-0-0 pro; 7-0-0 MMA) amassed an impressive amateur record that included five finishes and three title reigns. She gained critical acclaim after landing a flying triangle choke on fellow prospect Jordan McDonald to claim the vacant Tuff-N-Uff 110-pound women’s title in August 2011. She closed out her amateur career with a Split Decision win and made the move to the renowned Team Quest this year. At Invicta FC 2 in July, McCarthy showcased her rapidly-improving striking by dominating Philippus on the feet en route to a doctor stoppage win following the first round. The 26-year-old is currently one of the atomweight division’s premier prospects and she will take a big step up the ranks if she is able to get past Esquibel in January.
Esquibel (2-0-0 pro; 3-0-0 MMA) has been fighting since the young age of 15. The veteran striker has competed 13 times as a boxer, but still remains young in her MMA career. Under the tutelage of Greg Jackson and Mike Winkeljohn, Esquibel made her pro MMA debut in April 2011 and put on a striking clinic against Brittany Horton before finishing Horton with a head kick and punches just shy of the four-minute mark. She returned to the cage in January and posted a Unanimous Decision win over Amy Riehle. Esquibel will now take on her toughest MMA opponent to date in the highly-touted McCarthy, but Esquibel’s skills on the feet are matched by few fighters in the division and she, too, would take a big step up the rankings with a victory.
Invicta Fighting Championships 4 takes place at a venue to be determined in Kansas City, Missouri. The event is expected to be headlined by an Invicta FC Strawweight Championship bout between Carla “Cookie Monster” Esparza and Ayaka Hamasaki and may take place on January 5th, though no date has been officially announced.
(Photo Credit: Chris Hornbecker)