All-female MMA promotion Invicta FC is pairing up with Pancrase to share fighters.

Invicta today announced a new, exclusive talent-sharing agreement with the long-running Japanese promotion, which will allow fighters from both promotions to get experience of fighting in the U.S. and Japan.

“It’s an honor to be able to partner with Pancrase, one of MMA’s most storied promotions,” stated Invicta President Shannon Knapp in a press release announcing the deal. “In addition to all past and present ‘Kings and Queens of Pancrase,’ pioneers and contemporary stars alike have passed through the Pancrase organization at one time or another.

“Through our talent-sharing agreement, we hope to be able to capitalize on the wealth of female fighters being developed by both Invicta and Pancrase in a mutually beneficial way.”

For some Invicta fighters, it provides the opportunity to fight at home. Current atomweight champion Ayaka Hamasaki hails from Tokyo and got her first taste of gold with the female-focused Jewels promotion, which previously shared an informal talent-sharing agreement with Invicta.

Japanese veterans Mizuki Inoue and Takayo Hashi are also under contract with the American promotion, giving them a chance to fight on native soil, as well.

“From this partnership, the world’s best fighters from Invicta will get an opportunity to fight in Pancrase, and at the same time, Japanese fighters will get to experience fighting Invicta fighters that are at the world level,” stated Pancrase President Masakazu Sakai. “In addition, Japanese fighters would get a chance to fight in Invicta.

“This might open the door for fans in Japan to see Japanese fighters under the Invicta contract, such as Mizuki and Hashi to fight in Japan as well. Both Invicta FC and Pancrase are currently on UFC Fight Pass, and by exchanging fighters, we are looking to increase opportunities for fighters to compete more often.”

A timeline for the talent exchange was not given, but the release said for fans to be on the lookout as both promotions’ schedules unfold. Invicta’s next event, Invicta FC 26, takes place Nov. 30 at Park Theater in Las Vegas. It will stream live on UFC Fight Pass. Next up for the Japanese promotion is “Pancrase: Sapporo,” which takes place Oct. 22 at Sapporo, Hokkaido, Japan.

For more on the upcoming MMA schedule, check out the MMA Rumors section of the site.

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