One of the best women's strawweights on the planet will be back in the Invicta cage in just two weeks.
Mizuki Inoue has been added to the Invicta FC 18 card July 29 in Kansas City against Lynn Alvarez, the promotion announced Thursday. Inoue is filling in for Manjit Kolekar, who could not make the event due to visa issues.
Inoue (11-4) has won three straight between Invicta and Deep Jewels in Japan. She is coming off two straight submission victories, the latest a first-round finish of Nori Date in March at Deep Jewels 11 in Tokyo. Inoue, just 21 years old, has only lost to Alexa Grasso and current UFC 115er Karolina Kowalkiewicz in Invicta. She's a bonafide strawweight title contender.
Alvarez (6-3) has not fought since 2014, a first-round submission victory over Amber Stautzenberger under the Dakota FC banner. Her career losses have come against well-known strawweights Carla Esparza, Jessica Aguilar and Angela Magana. Kolekar (9-0) is an undefeated prospect from India with seven finishes in nine career fights.
Invicta FC 18 is headlined by a strawweight contender bout between Grasso and Jodie Esquibel, who recently competed on The Ultimate Fighter 23. In the co-main event, Irene Aldana, Grasso's training partner and fellow Mexican prospect, takes on undefeated Brazilian prospect Taila Santos. The event will air live on UFC Fight Pass.