Alesha Zappitella
Alesha Zappitella (born February 28, 1995) is an American mixed martial artist who fights in the Atomweight division of Invicta Fighting Championships, where she is a former Invicta FC Atomweight Champion.[4]
| Alesha Zappitella | |
|---|---|
| Born | February 28, 1995 Conneaut, Ohio, United States |
| Other names | Half Pint |
| Nationality | American |
| Height | 4 ft 11 in (1.50 m) |
| Weight | 105 lb (48 kg; 7 st 7 lb) |
| Division | Atomweight (2016–present) Strawweight (2018) |
| Style | Wrestling |
| Fighting out of | Brighton, Michigan, United States |
| Team | Team Scorpion Fighting System (until 2021) Strong Style Fight Team (2021–present)[1] Knoxville Martial Arts Academy (2021–present)[1] |
| Rank | Brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu[2] |
| Years active | 2016–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 14 |
| Wins | 9 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 4 |
| By knockout | 1 |
| By decision | 3 |
| No contests | 1 |
| Other information | |
| Occupation | Paraprofessional educator |
| University | King University[3] |
| Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog | |
Background edit
Growing up in Ohio, Alesha started wrestling – as the sole girl in boys' team – at the age of five.[5] She also played softball, but quit it after her coach advised her to drop wrestling in order to focus in the "girl sport" which would get her somewhere.[5] She went on to become a two-time Ohio state champion in girls wrestling, five-time All-American before eventually placing sixth in the 2016 U.S. Olympic Trials.[6]
Mixed martial arts career edit
Invicta edit
Early Invicta career edit
Zappitella made her professional debut against Jayme Hinshaw at KOTC Equalizer on 15 October 2016. She won the fight by unanimous decision. She would go on to amass a 3–0 record, with a single no-contest, which earned her the notice of Invicta Fighting Championships. Invicta scheduled her debut against Shino VanHoose at Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander.[7] VanHoose later withdrew from the bout and was replaced by Jillian DeCoursey.[8] Zappitella won the bout by unanimous decision.[9]
Zappitella was scheduled to fight Amber Brown at Invicta FC 33: Frey vs. Grusander II.[10] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[11]
Zappitella was scheduled to fight Viviane Pereira at Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez II. Pereira missed the scales, weighing in 0.6 lbs over the atomweight limit.[12] Zappitella lost for the first time in her professional career, as Pereira won the fight by unanimous decision.[13]
Following her first loss, Zappitella briefly left Invicta, being scheduled to fight Kanna Asakura at RIZIN 18.[14] Asakura won the fight by split decision.[15]
Returning to Invicta, Zappitella was scheduled to fight Kelly D'Angelo at Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II. Zappitella snapped her two-fight losing streak, winning the bout by unanimous decision.[16]
Zappitella was scheduled to fight Lindsey VanZandt at Invicta FC 40: Ducote vs. Lima.[17] Zappitella won the fight by split decision (28-29, 29–27, 30–27).[18] The majority of media members scored the fight for Zappitella.[19]
Invicta Atomweight title reign edit
Zappitella was scheduled to fight Ashley Cummins at Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella for the vacant Invicta FC Atomweight Championship.[20] Cummins was the more dominant party throughout the first two rounds, winning the majority of striking exchanges and stopping Zappitella's takedowns. In the first minute of the third round, Zappitella managed to land an early takedown and countered Cummins' guillotine choke attempt with a Von Flue choke.[4] It was the first Von Flue choke finish in Invicta FC history.[21]
Zappitella made her first title defense against Jéssica Delboni at Invicta 44: Rodríguez vs. Torquato on May 21, 2021.[22] She won the bout by a razor close split decision. Two of the judges scored the fight 48–47 in Zappitella's favor, while the third judge scored it 48–47 in Delboni's favor.[23] All of the media members scored the fight for Delboni.[24]
Zappitella rematched Jéssica Delboni on January 12, 2022, at Invicta FC 45.[25] She lost the bout and the title via unanimous decision, with scores of 50–45, 50–45 and 49–46.[26]
Move to strawweight edit
Moving up to Strawweight, Zappitella faced Emily Ducote for the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship on May 11, 2022, at Invicta FC 47.[27] She lost the bout after doctors stopped the bout after the second round due to a cut on her eyelid.[28]
Personal life edit
Zappitella works as a paraprofessional educator in the Howell Public Schools district.[29] Zappitella also works as a women's self defense coach at the Michigan Institute of Athletics.[30]
She is a fan and avid player of the collectible strategy card game Magic: The Gathering.[31]
Championships and accomplishments edit
Wrestling edit
- 2012 Vaughn Cadet National Championships Freestyle 105 lbs 3rd Place[32]
- 2013 Vaughn Cadet National Championships Freestyle 105 lbs 5th Place[32]
- 2016 USA Olympic Trials Freestyle 105 lbs Qualifier[33]
Mixed Martial Arts edit
- Invicta Fighting Championships
- Invicta FC Atomweight Championship[4] (one time; former)
- One successful title defense
- Performance of the Night (Three times) vs. Jillian DeCoursey, Amber Brown and Ashley Cummins[34][35][36]
- Invicta FC Atomweight Championship[4] (one time; former)
Mixed martial arts record edit
| 14 matches | 9 wins | 4 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By submission | 2 | 0 |
| By decision | 7 | 3 |
| No contests | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Loss | 9–4 (1) | Emily Ducote | TKO (doctor stoppage) | Invicta FC 47: Ducote vs. Zappitella | May 11, 2022 | 2 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Return to Strawweight. For the Invicta FC Strawweight Championship. |
| Loss | 9–3 (1) | Jéssica Delboni | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 45: Zappitella vs. Delboni II | January 12, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Lost the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. |
| Win | 9–2 (1) | Jéssica Delboni | Decision (split) | Invicta FC 44: Rodríguez vs. Torquato | May 21, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Defended the Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 (1) | Ashley Cummins | Submission (Von Flue choke) | Invicta FC 42: Cummins vs. Zappitella | September 17, 2020 | 4 | 1:20 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Won the vacant Invicta FC Atomweight Championship. Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 7–2 (1) | Lindsey VanZandt | Decision (split) | Invicta FC 40: Ducote vs. Lima | July 2, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 6–2 (1) | Kelly D'Angelo | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 39: Frey vs. Cummins II | February 7, 2020 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 5–2 (1) | Kanna Asakura | Decision (split) | RIZIN 18 | August 18, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Nagoya, Japan | |
| Loss | 5–1 (1) | Viviane Pereira | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 35: Bennett vs. Rodriguez II | June 7, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Kansas, United States | Catchweight (106.7 lbs) bout, Pereira missed weight. |
| Win | 5–0 (1) | Amber Brown | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 33: Frey vs. Grusander II | December 15, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 4–0 (1) | Jillian DeCoursey | Decision (unanimous) | Invicta FC 30: Frey vs. Grusander | July 21, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Kansas City, Missouri, United States | Performance of the Night. |
| Win | 3–0 (1) | Kyna Sisson | Decision (split) | WXC 71: Night of Champions 10 | 17 February 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Southgate, Michigan, United States | Strawweight bout. |
| NC | 2–0 (1) | Stephanie Alba | No Contest (overturned) | Combate 13 | 20 April 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Tucson, Arizona, United States | Decision win for Zappitella overturned due to testing positive for marijuana |
| Win | 2–0 | Miao Ding | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Kunlun Fight MMA 9 | 25 February 2017 | 2 | 1:17 | Sanya, China | |
| Win | 1–0 | Jayme Hinshaw | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC Equalizer | 15 October 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | Lac du Flambeau, Wisconsin, United States |
| Amateur record breakdown | ||
| 5 matches | 2 wins | 2 losses |
| By knockout | 0 | 1 |
| By submission | 1 | 1 |
| By decision | 1 | 0 |
| Draws | 1 | |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 2–2–1 | Jessica Ertl | Submission (Keylock) | NAFC: Super Brawl | 30 January 2016 | 1 | 2:00 | Waukesha, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Draw | 1–2–1 | Tiffany Masters | Draw (Decision) | KOTC: Bitter Enemies | 5 December 2015 | 3 | 3:00 | Keshena, Wisconsin, United States | |
| Loss | 1–2 | Cynthia Arceo | TKO (Punches) | KOTC: Warriors | 8 August 2015 | 1 | 0:09 | Socorro, Texas, United States | |
| Loss | 1–1 | Kyna Sisson | Submission (Triangle choke) | WXC 56: College Throwdown | 21 March 2015 | 2 | 2:36 | Ypsilanti, Michigan, United States | For the WXC Amateur Strawweight Championship. |
| Win | 1–0 | Elane Santiago | Decision (Unanimous) | WXC 54: Night of Champions 7 | 23 January 2015 | 3 | 3:00 | Southgate, Michigan, United States |
See also edit
References edit
- ^ a b John Morgan (January 9, 2022). "Alesha Zappitella out to prove a point in final atomweight contest: I'm going to break Jessica Delboni". MMAjunkie.com.
- ^ "Alesha "Half Pint" Zappitella". facebook.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
Alesha "Half Pint" Zappitella · Follow 14 March 2020 · I received my purple belt in jiu jitsu shortly after beating a man who owns his own gym and placed at worlds in jiu jitsu. Women, I can help you be prepared for the worst situations that life throws your way. It's better to be prepared and never have to use it than to be sorry. Sunday from 10-12 at SFS, I will be holding a class for any woman to join for free. I hope to see you there.
- ^ "Alesha Zappitella". king.prestosports.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ a b c Knapp, Brian. "Alesha Zappitella Shoulder Choke Submits Ashley Cummins, Nets Invicta Atomweight Belt". sherdog.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ a b Alesha Zappitella explains why Jiri Prochazka is favorite fighter. MMAjunkie.com. May 20, 2021 – via YouTube.
- ^ Damon Martin (May 21, 2021). "Alesha Zappitella once was told to give up wrestling to focus on 'girl's[sic] sports,' now an Invicta champion". mmafighting.com.
- ^ FightBookMMA (13 June 2018). "Invicta Fighting Championships announces the completed fight card for Invicta FC 30". fightbookmma.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ Tatum, Rob (9 July 2018). "Shino VanHoose Out, Jillian DeCoursey Steps in Against Alesha Zappitella at Invicta FC 30". invictafc.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Prospect in the Spotlight (Dec 14-15): Alesha Zappitella". mmaintel.blog. 10 December 2018. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (21 November 2018). "Invicta FC 33's Amber Brown: Good Things Ahead for Atomweight Division". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Tucker, Bryan (15 December 2018). "Invicta FC 33 Results: Frey vs. Grusander 2". mmafighting.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Fight Site. "(VIDEO) Katastrofa uoči Invictine 35. priredbe: Čak tri borkinje pale službenu vagu". arhiva.fightsite.hr. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Jay (7 June 2019). "Invicta FC 35 Results: Former UFC Fighter Viviane Pereira Back in the Win Column". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Anderson, Frankie (18 July 2019). "Alesha Zappitella interview ahead of her fight at RIZIN 18". mmauk.net. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "【RIZIN】浅倉カンナ、レスリングエリートとの打撃戦に競り勝ち「また這い上がります」". efight.jp. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Tavana, Ben. "Alesha Zappitella Defeats Kelly D'Angelo Via Unanimous Decision". bloodycanvas.net. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Bowker, Dylan (30 June 2020). "Invicta FC 40: Lindsey VanZandt Aims to be Number One Atomweight in the World". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Tavana, Ben. "Invicta 40 Results: Alesha Zappitella Defeats Lindsey VanZandt Via Split Decision". bloodycanvas.net. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Alesha Zappitella defeats Lindsey VanZandt". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ FightBookMMA (27 July 2020). "Ashley Cummins and Alesha Zappitella Vie for Vacant Title on Sept. 17". fightbookmma.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Clements, Averi. "Alesha Zappitella Claims Atomweight Title With 1st Von Flue Choke Finish In Invicta History". jiujitsutimes.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ Becker, Dana (22 April 2021). "First Invicta FC Event On AXS TV Fight Card Features Title Fights". themix.net. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ Marrocco, Steven (2021-05-21). "Invicta 44 results: Karina Rodriguez captures flyweight title, Alesha Zappitella defends atomweight belt". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2021-05-22.
- ^ "Alesha Zappitella defeats Jessica Delboni". mmadecisions.com. Retrieved 22 May 2021.
- ^ "Invicta FC 45 set for Jan. 12, headlined by Alesha Zappitella vs. Jessica Delboni title rematch". MMA Junkie. 2021-12-15. Retrieved 2021-12-16.
- ^ "Invicta FC 45 results: Jessica Delboni wins atomweight title, dominates Alesha Zappitella in rematch". MMA Junkie. 2022-01-13. Retrieved 2022-01-13.
- ^ "Emily Ducote vs. Alesha Zappitella strawweight title fight headlines Invicta FC 47 on May 11". MMA Junkie. 2022-03-30. Retrieved 2022-03-30.
- ^ Bissell, Tim (2022-05-12). "Invicta FC 47 results and video: Emily Ducote defends title after splitting challenger's eyelid". Bloody Elbow. Retrieved 2022-05-12.
- ^ Edmonds, Jamie; Kelly, Dane (10 September 2020). "From classroom to cage: Livingston County educator aims for MMA title". clickondetroit.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ "Michigan Institute of Athletics". instituteofathletics.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ Khan, Bill. "Brighton-trained fighter gets shot at women's mixed martial arts world championship". eu.livingstondaily.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
- ^ a b "All-Americans". usawrestling-ohio.org. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "2016 U.S. Olympic Trials". flowrestling.org. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
- ^ "Invicta FC". twitter.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
#InvictaFC30 POTN Bonuses: @FeeNom479 , @HoldFastMMA , @aleshazapp , and @21alyseanderson !
- ^ "Invicta FC". twitter.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
#InvictaFC33 POTN Bonuses: @KayHansenMMA @aleshzapp Anastasia Nikolakakos Chantel Coates
- ^ "Invicta FC". twitter.com. Retrieved 15 May 2021.
#InvictaFC42 Bonuses: POTN: @aleshazapp FOTN: @VLeo0216 and Liz Tracy
- ^ "Alesha Zappitella". sherdog.com. Retrieved 14 May 2021.
External links edit
- Alesha Zappitella at Sherdog
- Alesha Zappitella at Tapology.com
- Alesha Zappitella at Fight Matrix
- Alesha Zappitella at ESPN
- Alesha Zappitella at Invicta Fighting Championships
- Alesha Zappitella on Facebook