Invicta FC 5 Continues to Take Shape with Addition of Multiple Bouts

Just days after revealing that it would shift to a new night, Invicta Fighting Championships has announced multiple fights for Invicta FC 5 which is slated for April 5. The event is expected to emanate from the Ameristar Casino Kansas City in Kansas City, Mo.

As hinted by Invicta President Shannon Knapp, former Strikeforce bantamweight champion Sarah Kaufman will make her promotional debut against Leslie Smith at the event.

The promotion also revealed that veterans Kaitlyn Young and Amanda Nunes would lock horns in a bantamweight affair.

The announcements didn’t stop there however, as multiple Invicta veterans will be back for the event. Notables include atomweights Nicdali Rivera-Calanoc, Cassie Rodish and Jodie Esquibel, as well as Ediane Gomes. Esquibel will welcome Australian Alex Chambers to the Invicta cage. The Brazilian Gomes will meet Canadian Julia Budd, who previously tweeted her participation in the event.

Numerous others also tweeted they would be fighting on the card, including Bec Hyatt, Jessamyn Duke and Rose Namajunas.

Additionally, the promotion confirmed a featherweight clash that was reported by The MMA Corner between Mollie Estes and Veronica Rothenhausler.

Finally, undefeated bantamweights River Jones and Lauren Barefoot will collide on the night’s undercard. Jones will be making her pro debut.

Broadcast plans for the event have yet to be announced.

As announced during the promotion’s fourth event, the April card will be headlined by two title fights. Recently-crowned atomweight champion Jessica Penne will make the first defense of her belt against “The Karate Hottie” Michelle Waterson. Also, the promotion will crown its inaugural flyweight champion as Barb Honchak battles Brazilian Vanessa Porto.