Invicta FC 41: Montserrat Ruiz Shines In Main Event, Submits Janaisa Morandin

The tension between Janaisa Morandin and Montserrat Ruiz was clear as the two had an extended staredown as they entered the cage. Both gave it their all in a fast-paced first round. In the end, Ruiz proved she is ready to make an impact in Invicta.

At Invicta FC 41 in Memorial Hall in Kansas City, Ruiz (8-1) beat Morandin via keylock submission. The fighter from Guanajuato, Mexico finally won a fight in Invicta and is ready to take on all comers in the strawweight division.

Morandin came into the fight .9 pounds over the strawweight limit, but it did not impact her overall ability. Morandin hit big leg kicks and hooks to the face. She started to push Ruiz against the cage. Ruiz, however, would land kicks to the body while trying to get out of the clinch. The first half was a solid effort for Morandin, as she was stalking her opponent.

It appeared as if Ruiz was playing possum, however, as she started hitting a flurry of shots that would connect onto the face of Morandin. She pulled Morandin all the way to the ground and pushed the right arm. After striking the face of Morandin, not giving her a chance to breathe, Ruiz locked in the keylock for the quick submission win.

“I always envisioned I was going to win this fight, and I was feeling really proud about coming back,” Ruiz stated.

And that is that! #InvictaFC41 pic.twitter.com/vXtMDvtm9f

— UFC FIGHT PASS (@UFCFightPass) July 31, 2020

Ruiz is now 2-1 in her last three fights. She lost her first Invicta fight in December 2018 against Danielle Taylor.

The loss marked a third straight one for Morandin (10-4). “The Evil Princess” has not won a bout since 2017, and she is 1-4 in her last five.

Main Card ( 8 p.m. ET, UFC Fight Pass) 

Montserrat Ruiz def. Janaisa Morandin via keylock (3:28 into round one)

Erin Blanchfield  def. Brogan Sanchez via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)

Kaitlin Young def. Latoya Walker via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-26, 30-27)

Caitlin Sammons def. Claire Guthrie via split decision  (28-29, 29-28, 30-27)

Alexa Culp def. Natalya Speece via rear-naked choke (3:59 into round two)