Sarah Kaufman (fighter)

Biography

Kaufman is a graduate of Claremont Secondary School and attended two years at the University of Victoria with a goal of becoming a cardiovascular surgeon.Kaufman is Jewish.

A dancer since the age of two, Kaufman had joined a dance company and danced everything from ballet to jazz to hip-hop. When she was 17, an MMA school was opened by Adam Zugec in the building where her dance company rehearsed. She joined the school for an aerobics kickboxing class. Enjoying it, she quickly began taking as many classes as Zugec offered.

While being interviewed on February 15, 2010 by MMA Junkie Radio, Kaufman revealed that she had obtained a purple belt in Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu. She was awarded her brown belt on October 1, 2011.

Mixed martial arts career

Kaufman faced Valérie Létourneau at TKO 29 - Repercussion on June 1, 2007. She won the fight via TKO in the second round. This was the first female MMA fight in the promotion's history.

She captured the Hardcore Championship Fighting Women's Bantamweight Championship by defeating Ginele Marquez via TKO in the second round at HCF - Title Wave on October 19, 2007.

Kaufman faced Molly Helsel at HCF - Crow's Nest on March 29, 2008. She won the fight via TKO in the second round. This was her only title defense before the promotion folded in 2008.

On April 23, 2009, she faced Sarah Schneider for Palace Fighting Championship and won the fight via TKO in the second round.

Kaufman debuted for Armageddon Fighting Championship on April 2, 2011 at the promotion's fifth event, Judgment Day, where she fought in front of her hometown of Victoria, British Columbia. She defeated Megumi Yabushita by TKO in the third round of the main event.

Strikeforce

Less than one month later on May 15, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Evangelista vs. Aina, Kaufman made her Strikeforce debut as a late replacement against wrestler Miesha Tate. Kaufman won the fight by Unanimous Decision, but it was the first time that she had gone the distance in her career.

She fought again five weeks later on June 19, 2009 at Strikeforce Challengers: Villasenor vs. Cyborg against submission specialist Shayna Baszler and once again won via Unanimous Decision. The fight marked the first time that a women's bout was contested under five-minute rounds in Strikeforce.

Women's Bantamweight Champion

Kaufman was set to face highly touted Japanese standout Takayo Hashi at Strikeforce Challengers: Kaufman vs. Hashi on November 20, 2009, but the fight was later removed from the card. It was first rescheduled for January 2010, but finally took place on February 26, 2010. The fight crowned the first Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion (135 lbs). Kaufman won the fight by Unanimous Decision.

In an interview posted on May 12, 2010, Kaufman stated that she was no longer under contract with Strikeforce. However, Strikeforce maintained that Kaufman's contract was automatically extended following her title victory over Takayo Hashi and she remained with the promotion.

Kaufman defended her Strikeforce title against Roxanne Modafferi at Strikeforce Challengers: del Rosario vs. Mahe on July 23, 2010. She won the fight via knockout due to a slam in the third round.

Kaufman faced Marloes Coenen on October 9, 2010 in San Jose, California. Kaufman was defeated by Coenen at 1:59 of the third round by submission after tapping out to an armbar applied from the bottom. This marked the first loss in Kaufman's MMA career and she relinquished the Women's Bantamweight Championship.

After losing Championship

On July 22, 2011, Kaufman defeated Liz Carmouche via unanimous decision at Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III in Las Vegas, Nevada.

On January 7, 2012, it was announced that Kaufman would face Alexis Davis in a rematch at Strikeforce: Tate vs. Rousey on March 3 in Columbus, Ohio. Kaufman won the back and forth bout via majority decision.

Kaufman challenged Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey on August 18, 2012, in San Diego, California. She was defeated by submission due to an armbar early in the first round.

Kaufman's tenure with Strikeforce ended when the promotion ran its final show in January 2013, having been purchased and eventually closed by UFC owners Zuffa LLC.

Invicta Fighting Championships

Kaufman was scheduled to make her Invicta FC debut against Kaitlin Young at Invicta Fighting Championships 3 on October 6, 2012. However, on September 17, it was reported that Kaufman had suffered an injury and would not be able to compete.

Kaufman faced Leslie Smith at Invicta FC 5: Penne vs. Waterson on April 5, 2013. This was her promotional debut. She won the back-and-forth fight via split decision. The bout was named Fight of the Night.

Ultimate Fighting Championship

On February 25, 2013, Kaufman signed with the Ultimate Fighting Championship along with four other women. She was expected to make her promotional debut against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 27 on August 28, 2013. However, McMann withdrew from the bout for undisclosed personal reasons. As a result, Kaufman was pulled from the event as well.

Kaufman faced fellow UFC newcomer Jessica Eye at UFC 166 on October 19, 2013. She lost the fight via controversial split decision. However, in February 2014, the Texas Department of Licensing and Regulation changed the result to "no decision" with no reason given for the change. It was later revealed that Eye had failed her post-fight drug test for marijuana.

Kaufman was expected to face Shayna Baszler at The Ultimate Fighter Nations Finale. However, it was announced on April 1, 2014 that Baszler pulled out due to injury. Kaufman was then scheduled to face Amanda Nunes, but Nunes withdrew as well. Kaufman eventually faced former opponent Leslie Smith on the card. She won the fight via unanimous decision.

After over a year away from the sport, Kaufman returned to face Alexis Davis for a third time on April 25, 2015 at UFC 186. Despite seemingly winning the first round due to her dominant striking, Kaufman lost the fight in the second round via submission.

Kaufman was scheduled to face Germaine de Randamie at UFC on Fox: dos Anjos vs. Cerrone 2. However, De Randamie pulled out of the fight on December 3 citing an injury. Kaufman instead faced Valentina Shevchenko. She lost the fight via split decision.

Kaufman became a free agent after the UFC did not resign her to a new contract after the loss to Valentina Shevchenko.

Mixed martial arts