July 3, 2021
By Fred Liggett
FredL@lstribune.net
Thanks to her dad and a popular gym here in Lee’s Summit a former LS West Titan is now enjoying a career as a professional fighter. Josee Storts, a 2016 LS West grad, is currently 2-0 and is working on a five-fight contract signed with Invicta FC.
Storts is unsure when her next fight will be as she is scheduled to participate in a two-week long tournament held in Thailand in October. The Invicta FC is dedicated to Women’s Mixed Martial Arts and hosts fights regularly in Kansas City. On Friday, Jun. 11 fans were treated to an event held at Memorial Hall in Kansas City Kansas. That evening Brazil’s Jessica Delboni won what was called the Phoenix Tournament. For now no one knows how soon the Storts will be announced as a winner of a local tournament.
Getting this far is something a younger Josee didn’t see coming. At just 15 years old while kickboxing her dad noticed how well she did and asked her if she ever considered fighting. The answer resulted in Josee going to Glory MMA & Fitness to take a class. Once inside the doors of this Lee’s Summit-based gym Josee says, “I just kept going.” In addition to her dad, her talents were noticed by James Krause, a proud owner of Glory and serves as head instructor. Storts says of Krause “is very smart.” At Glory, “They know what they are talking about.”
Now at 23 years old, Storts works out of a gym some 12-1/2 hours away in New Mexico where she feels “The weather is beautiful”. The reason for the move for Josee and her husband she admits is “to work at a place that’s top tier and has won tons of awards.” The recent Missouri State graduate continues to think of her hometown and stays in touch with her friends. Storts keeps in touch with many former Titans and is happy to report of a watch party here in Lee’s Summit for her last fight. Josee says, “I’m happy they all care.”
To keep up on the progress Josee Storts is making in her career with Invicta FC you can follow InvictaFights on Twitter. Many of the events Invicta hosts can be seen on AXS-TV or YouTube. Josee keeps fans here at home up to date on her own Twitter page found at Skullcrusher MMA. Thanks to her start at a Lee’s Summit-based gym this former LS West Titan has come far in just five years. No one knows what the next five will bring but one can be assured Invicta FC fans and Josee’s friends will be following her every move along the way.
