Champ Tonya Evinger replaces Megan Anderson in Invicta FC 24 headliner

Next month’s Invicta FC 24 event has a new headliner.

With Megan Anderson (8-2) headed to the UFC for a UFC 214 title fight with Cristiane Justino (17-1 MMA, 2-0 UFC), undefeated Helena Kolesnyk (5-0) has a new Invicta FC 24 opponent.

Officials today Invicta FC bantamweight champion Tonya Evinger (19-5) is moving up to featherweight for the non-title fight with Kolesnyk.

Invicta FC 24 takes place July 15 at Scottish Rite Temple in Kansas City, Mo., and the entire card streams on UFC Fight Pass.

“We’re not making it easy for Helena over here,” Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp joked in a statement. “She’s gone from one champion (in Anderson) to another now with Tonya.

“I’m thankful that our athletes – and especially Tonya Evinger – are always ready and willing to accept a challenge. I have the utmost respect for both these main event fighters, and I’m expecting a great fight on July 15.”

Evinger, who’s No. 7 in the USA TODAY Sports/MMAjunkie MMA women’s bantamweight rankings, is on a 10-fight winning streak (with one no-contest). In her most recent appearance, the 36-year-old defended her belt for the second time with a submission victory over Yana Kunitskaya in March.

Kolesnyk, a 27-year-old Ukrainian fighter, turned pro in 2014. The Invicta FC newcomer is 5-0 (with five stoppages and one no-contest) since her pro debut. Four of the five wins came in the first round.

In addition to the headliner, officials today announced the remainder of the Invicta FC 24 fight card. The latest Invicta FC 24 lineup includes:

• Tonya Evinger vs. Helena Kolesnyk
• Mara Romero Borella vs. Milana Dudieva
• Yana Kunitskaya vs. Raquel Pa'aluhi
• Ashley Cummins vs. Jinh Yu Frey
• Barbara Acioly vs. Karina Rodriguez
• Kelly D’Angelo vs. Sunna Rannveig Davidsdott
• Mallory Martin vs. Tiffany Masters
• Amy Coleman vs. Felicia Spencer

For more on Invicta FC 24, visit the MMA Rumors section of the site.