Ronda Rousey
makes the first defense of her Strikeforce women's bantamweight title against
number one contender and former champ Sarah Kaufman.
Sarah Kaufman (15-1, 10 KO's, 0 Subs)
Sarah
Kaufman is a bantamweight with a fistful of dynamite. She packs quite a wallop
into her 5'5" frame as evidenced by her 10 knockouts in only 16
professional bouts. She is no stranger to the mat 
either having attained her
brown belt in BJJ but her true strength lies in her fists and unusual strength.
Kaufman
racked up a series of victories before getting the green light to compete in
the major leagues of women's MMA, Strikeforce. In February of 2010 she won the
title over Takayo Hashi in a unanimous decision. In her first title defense
against Roxanne Modafferi she stunned the crowd when she picked the challenger
up from the guard position and slammed her to the mat, ala Rampage Jackson. As
Modafferi crashed to the canvas, her head bounced twice and it was clear that
Kaufman had turned out the lights in violent fashion.
Kaufman's
reign would prove to be short-lived as the veteran submission specialist
Marloes Coenen trapped her in the 3rd round with a lethal armbar
that saw Kaufman tap out and relinquish her world title. Since the loss,
Kaufman has rebounded with three consecutive victories, with the most recent
being a split decision over Alexis Davis in March of this year.
Ronda Rousey (5-0, 0 KO's, 5 Subs)
Ronda Rousey
has one excruciating trick up her sleeve and every fighter she has faced,
whether it be those three she vanquished as an amateur or the five who fell to
her as a professional, have all been victim to her crippling armbar.
Yes, eight
victories all brought about by one devastating technique and it could only be
pulled off with such aplomb by a world class grappler and Olympic medal winner
judoka like Rousey. She is a 4th dan black belt in judo and has
earned more medals than a five-star general. In short, the girl is lethal when
the fight hits the mat and though her experience is limited, she nearly
shredded the arm of former champion Meisha Tate in their world title fight back
in March. Oh by the way, did I mention every single one of her victories ended
by tapout in the 1st round (including her three amateur contests)? The
25-year-old California sensation has backed up her outspoken personality and
high octane swagger with a clinically precise brand of eye-popping punishment
whenever she steps inside the cage.
The Pick
I don't care
how much of a "sure thing" something is, I would never lay 6 to 1
which is exactly what many offshore books are asking you to do if you want to
back the champion, Ronda Rousey. However, if you think there is value to be had
by putting a wager on the challenger Sarah Kaufman, I would remind you of the
age old gambling axiom, there is no value in losing.
Unless
Rousey decides to stand and trade with the explosive Kaufman I cannot envision
her losing this fight. It should be noted that Kaufman's only defeat came by
way of, you guessed it, an armbar in her title loss to Marloes Coenen. Though
Coenen is an excellent submission artist, she has neither the pedigree nor the
pure skill set that Rousey possesses.
The only
common opponent between these two is former champ Meisha Tate. While we know
Tate didn't last one full round with Rousey she was however able to hang around
for the entire fight against Kaufman but lost by decision. I don't see this one
going the distance though Kaufman certainly has a puncher's chance. If you have no fear, play Rousey at 6-1,
otherwise crack open a cold one and make sure you don't blink.