Ronda Rousey vs Sarah Kaufman confirmed for August 18th Strikeforce card
Posted on June 27, 2012, 11:55 PM by Mike SearsonStrikeforce officially announced today that women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (5-0) will make her highly-anticipated initial title defense against former champion Sarah Kaufman (15-1) at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Califonia, on Saturday, August 18.
Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said via press release: “We're excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today. She's submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!"
Rousey, a bronze medalist for the U.S. women’s 2008 Olympic Judo team, won her title this past March with an armbar victory over Meisha Tate.
Kaufman is currently riding a three-fight win streak of her own against Megumi Yabushita, Liz Carmouche and Alexis Davis and is one of the most well-rounded women in MMA. The former champion holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and felt she should have taken the title shot against Tate instead of Rousey.
Both ladies will put it all on the line in San Diego on August 18.
Comments
Better call the hospital ahead of time, Sarah's arm is going to get jacked up.
This will be the first time Rousey fights a good striker and Kaufman knows her way around on the ground. The last girl that tried to armbar her got a slam ko as a reward. I'm a fan of Rousey and she will probably win , but i'll have to cheer for Kaufman cause she is from my hometown of Victoria.
She demonstrated the ability to recognize when she needs to tap in her fight with Coenen, so I think she will be fine. It's not like Rousey grabs an arm and a split second later it goes flying out of the ring. It's just that a couple of her opponents have chosen not to tap.
Personally, I would love to see both of these fighters get the opportunity to fight within the UFC purely for the exposure it will provide for the womens league. UFC is so popularised now in comparison to strikeforce. The branding is enormous.
Sexism is rampant in the fight game.....Its ok for men to battle in the UFC octagon but not good enough for a former female olympian.
Even if there are fewer available female fighters, there is no reason bouts can't be made even if its only a few big fights per year. Look at the catchweight fights for men outside of fixed weight classes or the invitation for James Toney to fight.
Dana white probably thinks there should also be no service women in the military.
I'm not a feminist crusader, but I think women should be respected in the sport considering its voluntary and the dedication they make to the sport.
Dana White recently said that the only reason he's against a women's division in the UFC is the lack of top level fighters.
If there were 20-30 marketable top level female fighters, it would be a possibility, but with only a handful, it's just not realistic.
Mousasi: Sounds like Dana may be softening his stance by what you are saying.
Up until now Dana has been too conservative towards allowing female fighters to compete.
He is defiently right that there aren't enough female fighters to make a huge division, however, there is nothing stopping him from bringing contracted fighters from strikeforce over considering Zuffa now owns the company.
I'd just like to see even a couple bouts per year put on the UFC cards.
In bigger and better news, Ronda also confirms she is doing the ESPN "Body Issue", where she shall pose naked but cover all the gold.
It ain't Playboy but I'll take it.
Thanks Keith for your honesty ! Just yell out if you need a cool towel !
COOL TOWEL
For God's sake give Keith a towel 8))
BY the way Rhonda, the after party is at my house Im submitting early.
hah rousey vs tate advertising was all sexualized but kaufmans the ugliest thing that ever stepped in a cage so they arnt trying to do any glamorous adverts this time :)
We cant sleep on Kaufman. She isnt flash and she is more workmanlike in her style, but the girl has some great hands. If she keeps it standing, RhOnda is going to have rough night. Having said that, Judokas are really good at making people fall down, especially at the Olympic level. I still give this fight to Rousey, but Kaufman def has the hands, experience, and power to get her belt back.