Shafir, Leibrock to kick off 4th annual International Fight Week in Las Vegas

After recording a record of 5-0 with 5 1st round finishes (sound like someone we know?) during her amateur career, Marina Shafir began her pro career last April with some thinking she may be the one to end featherweight queen’s historic run. Not so fast.

In her pro debut, it would be more of the same from Shafir. Needing just under 2 minutes to nab another armbar victory, it appeared that it’d be smooth sailing for “The Supernova from Moldova”. Then, Amanda Bell happened. A naughty counter left hook from “The Lady Killer” spelled the beginning of the end for Shafir, who would then immediately go into killer instinct mode to make sure her opponent would not be able to recover. Due to Shafir’s unconscious state, referee John McCarthy would be forced to stop the fight at the 37 second marker of the opening round.

Bell would move on to take on Faith Van Duin at Invicta FC 12 where she would be submitted in the 2nd round. In hindsight, this title eliminator of sorts would boost Van Duin to headliner status. Whether or not that’s a good thing is debatable considering her opposition. Van Duin will take on Cris ‘Cyborg’ tomorrow night in the main event of Invicta FC 13 for a crack at the killing machine’s featherweight title and a chance to pull off one of the biggest upsets in MMA history.

Shafir will open up the card, and International Fight Week, when she takes on Amber Leibrock – one of 4 American’s on the 7 fight card. It’ll be Leibrock’s pro debut following a solid amateur career that ended with 3 consecutive victories. She’ll enter the contest as a +250 underdog.

Following the first loss of her MMA career, Shafir enters the contest as a -300 favorite. Here’s a look at Shafir and Leibrock’s first face-to-face meeting via Invicta FC’s photographer Esther Lin.

Shafir and Leibrock will kick off tomorrow nights festivities at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT inside of Las Vegas’ The Chelsea at the Cosmopolitan and live on UFC Fight Pass