Kansas City native Shannon Knapp – founder and president of KC based INVICTA was involved with the new MMA feature film BRUISED, directed by and starring Academy Award ® winner Halle Berry. We invite you to take an inside look at Invicta Fighting Championships — the real-life MMA promotion prominently featured in the movie. BRUISED premieres on Netflix on Nov. 24 and opened in select theaters on Nov. 17.
Invicta FC is the world’s largest all-women mixed martial arts promotion founded by industry pioneer Shannon Knapp, which airs on AXS TV, YouTube and Fight Network. Knapp, along with Invicta star athletes Taneisha Tennant (Current Bantamweight Champion) and Jennifer Chieng, provided input and consultation on the fight scenes, stunts, and the overall look and feel of the MMA action in the movie. Invicta is a key component of the film’s production with the promotion, its fight cages, branding, promotional posters and ring girl costumes being featured throughout the motion picture.
After nearly a decade of operation under Knapp’s leadership and innovation, Invicta FC has featured more than 300 athletes from nearly 40 countries around the globe. Due to Knapp’s timeless efforts, Invicta athletes have a home to practice their craft, whether they are seasoned martial artists or promising up-and-comers. Knapp’s advocate spirit has taken the sport to new heights, setting the promotion apart with her honest approach and a family environment that extends from the cage to the front office.
BACKGROUND INFORMATION
About Shannon Knapp: Shannon Knapp is an industry trailblazer and the only female executive to lead a major combat sports organization. In 2012, she founded Invicta Fighting Championships, the world’s largest, all-women’s mixed martial arts organization, giving professional female athletes their first major platform to compete. Invicta FC continues to pioneer the future of women’s MMA by promoting the best possible match-ups, as well as identifying and developing future superstars of the sport. Knapp brings over 20 years experience in MMA, having served in senior executive roles and broadcasting roles at UFC, Strikeforce, Affliction, IFL, King of the Cage, WFA and SportFight.
About Invicta FC: Invicta Fighting Championships (invictafc.com) is a world championship, all-pro mixed martial arts (MMA) fight series dedicated to providing female athletes with a major platform to hone their skills on a consistent basis. Invicta’s mission is to empower elite women athletes from around the globe by giving them an innovative and sophisticated platform to showcase their skills and personalities. As a trend-setting promotion, Invicta is committed to elevating the growth of women in combat sports. Invicta events host the best possible match-ups in order to develop future stars and further revolutionize the combat sports industry. Follow Invicta on Twitter (@InvictaFights), Facebook (InvictaFights) and Instagram (@InvictaFC) for all the latest information. Invicta FC is owned by Anthem Sports & Entertainment Inc., a global multi-platform media company with offices and studios in Los Angeles, Denver, Nashville, New York, Kansas City and Toronto.
BRUISED Synopsis: Academy Award ® winning actress Halle Berry directs and stars in a triumphant sports drama about a fighter who reclaims her power, in and out of the ring, when everyone has counted her out. Jackie Justice (Halle Berry) is a mixed martial arts fighter who leaves the sport in disgrace. Down on her luck and simmering with rage and regret years after her last fight, she’s coaxed into a brutal underground fight by her manager and boyfriend Desi (Adan Canto) and grabs the attention of a fight league promoter (Shamier Anderson) who promises Jackie a life back in the octagon. But the road to redemption becomes unexpectedly personal when Manny (Danny Boyd, Jr.) — the son she gave up as an infant — shows up at her doorstep. BRUISED marks the directorial debut of Academy Award winner Halle Berry and also stars Adriane Lenox, Sheila Atim, Valentina Shevchenko, and Stephen McKinley Henderson.