Look out “Cyborg.”
There’s a new arrival in the Invicta Fighting Championships featherweight division as decorated judoka Marina Shafir has announced her intentions to sign with the promotion. The fighter revealed her plans on the MMA Roasted Podcast (at the 13:30 mark).
The Moldova native, who trains alongside UFC bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, began competing in MMA in 2012 following a lengthy career in judo. She rattled off five straight, first-round armbar finishes as an amateur before turning pro in 2014.
As a professional, the California-based fighter has fought twice. In her debut, the 26-year-old earned another first-round finish, submitting Chandra Engel under the Lights Out Promotions banner via armbar. However, in her sophomore effort, she locked horns with current Invicta fighter Amanda Bell and was brutally knocked out in just 37 seconds.
Training out of Glendale Fighting Club, the “Supernova from Moldova” will look to become a contender in the 145-pound weight class, which is currently reigned by Brazilian Cristiane “Cyborg” Justino.
More details, including a date and opponent for Shafir’s Invicta debut, are expected to be revealed by the promotion once her contract is official.