How Shannon Knapp Changed Women’s MMA & Built Invicta FC
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With a background in broadcasting, production, athlete relations, and matchmaking, Invicta FC President Shannon Knapp has worn many hats in the MMA industry. She played a key role in co-founding the premier women’s MMA promotion in 2012, but the road to get there was far from easy.
“When I came through, we didn’t have many women in the business, especially women athletes competing,” Knapp expressed. “There wasn’t that level of respect and knowledge.”
She described the MMA climate at the time as “an old boys club”. Knapp said her biggest struggle was simple: ”I happened to be a female in a male-dominated sport. I always felt I had to prove my worth that I was as good as the guy that was standing next to me. There were many times that I was doing the work, but the male was getting the credit for it.”
Knapp stayed committed to her morals and values. “I was somebody that kept my nose clean, always very conscientious of knowing that I was a female working around where everyone was male. I paid attention to these factors because I wanted to be taken seriously and I weaved my way through the sport.”
Finding Purpose Through Passion
Shannon’s drive came from what she calls her “extreme passion for the sport.” She explained that passion fueled her rise in MMA. “No matter what you do if you have passion for something you stick to it. I ‘ve always had an extreme passion for the sport. I’ve always been an extreme advocate for the athletes and the sport. Being passionate is what drove me to find new avenues in the sport to continue to learn, grow, and elevate.”
Today, Knapp sits at the top of her field and says what she loves most about her job is making a difference. “That’s what I love most about what I do. Being able to help people that have a vision and have a dream. Changing the game, that’s what I love more than anything is changing the game. If someone says we can’t do it, I say ‘oh yes, we can.’ I love that. You have no idea how many people laughed at me when I started. Now I love helping people achieve the dream and the goal. Beating the odds, boy I like that.”
When asked what advice she has for people hoping to work in MMA, Knapp didn’t sugarcoat the reality. “It’s not easy. The best advice I would ever give someone is chase the dream and go after it because that’s important. You must try when it’s something that’s important to you, but also be smart enough to have a backup plan. Continue not only growing in the sport as an athlete but continue to grow period. Educationally or any way that helps you have the tools that you need to be successful outside the cage as well. I think it’s very important to push people to pursue dreams. Don’t leave anything that’s left unsaid.”
Even during the coronavirus pandemic, Knapp kept building. “We just launched a new series called ‘Invicta Rewind’. I am always constantly kind of pacing the floors working on ideas for something new. I’m working on some new show ideas and different things like that. I am just kind of doing a little house cleaning in the company; cleaning things up trying to get more organized. I am considering what options might be available to us when we do start back. There could be things in place like people not being able to fly into the country. There could be restrictions in place concerning live audiences. I am looking at all that stuff and kind of evaluating if the world is changing how do we change with it.”
She looks forward to the MMA world fully opening up again and hinted that Invicta FC has big plans. Actress Halle Berry recently attended an Invicta event, and Knapp said the promotion was able to work with her on something expected to be released soon. “There’s good stuff going on all the way around,” she said. “God willing I’ve got some big ideas I am working on that may change the game across a couple of different sports including MMA and boxing.”
Knapp’s dedication shines through every word she shares. She remains focused on the athletes, the fans, and the long-term growth of the sport. “At the end of the day I respect business is business you have to make money, but I am just happy to make money to keep the lights on. Everything goes back in to make it better to keep elevating it because that’s what it takes. It’s a grind. You got to be all in to make it go.”
She also recognizes the people behind Invicta’s success. “Invicta is blessed with a lot of people that help lift us up. Your fans, your athletes, I have an amazing staff; an incredible staff. After all these years you put it together and it all clicks, and it all works. Some of these people have been with me since day one. My core people are still the ones that have been there since day one. It’s great when people buy into the passion and are with you in their passion and values. Good things happen for us. We seem to be very blessed in that way. You do good work and good things happen.”
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