In the last year and a half, Strikeforce has focused some of their attention and promoting on their women‘s division. In August of last year, they crowned their first women‘s champion.
Last February they crowned a women‘s champion. Her name is Sarah Kaufman.
Kaufman is the current Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight Champion. She won the title after defeating Tayayo Hashi by decision in Feburary 2010. Since then she has had one successful title defense. Her overall fight record is at 12 wins and no losses, according to the Sherdog website.
According to her website, Kaufman is a native from Victoria British Columbia. Prior to starting in MMA, Kaufman had attended the University of Victoria. She also has background in many kinds of dance, including ballet and jazz.
In an interview with Strikeforce, Kaufman said she first became interested in martial arts when Adam Zugec opened a martial arts school below her dance studio. After finishing her first Muy Thai class, she said she was hooked. She still trains with Zugec and is a part of ZUMA Martial Arts.
Kaufman would debut in June 2006, winning her first eight fights in by knock out. She has fought for other promotions, including Palace Fighting Championships and Hardcore Championship, where she won their Women’s Bantamweight Championship.
Kaufman would debut for Strikeforce in May 2009, as a replacement against Meisha “Takedown” Tate, who she defeated by unanimous decision. Her fight against Tate would be the first time she would go all three rounds in a fight. Since then, Kaufman has won two of her last three fights by decision.
While Kaufman is known primarily for her striking, she has been exhibiting some takedown defense in her past bouts. According to an interview with MMA Junkie Radio, Kaufman has a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu.
Kaufman said that while she may move up into the 145 lb division at some point in the future, she plans to stay focused on the 135 lb division.
Her next fight is scheduled at Strikeforce: San Joke, Oct. 9. She will be defending her title in the co main event against Marloes Coernen.
Links:
Kaufman's official page
Kaufman's fight record
Strikeforce
Sarah Kaufman Interview
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