Victoria's Sarah Kaufman slams opponent during title defence
EVERETT, Wash. - Canadian Sarah Kaufman retained her Strikeforce world women's welterweight title Friday night, stopping American Roxanne Modafferi via body slam at a Strikeforce Challengers event.
Modafferi pulled guard late in the third round of the co-main event at the Comcast Arena, only to have Kaufman stand up and slam her to the canvas. The impact left Modafferi limp and the referee stopped the fight at four minutes 45 seconds.
It was the first title defence for the 24-year-old from Victoria, who has won all 12 of her fights.
In the main event, heavyweight Shane Del Rosario (10-0) won by first-round TKO (strikes) over Lolohea Mahe (6-2-1). The fight was stopped at 3:48 — the ninth time in 10 fights that Del Rosario has stopped his opponent in the first round.
Del Rosario hurt the big Hawaiian with a left, then softened him up with knees at the fence until he folded.
Kaufman spoke out in advance of her fight, saying she deserved to be showcased on Strikeforce's main cards. All four of her Strikeforce fights have all been second-tier Challengers events.
Strikeforce bills its Challengers series as a proving ground for up-and-coming MMA fighters, "where tomorrow’s champions are made." The marquee names are showcased on the main Strikeforce cards.
She made her point by dispatching Modafferi in style.
"Get me on main cards on Showtime (the U.S. channel that shows Strikeforce), guys. I think I deserve it. Put me on there," Kaufman said after her win.
Modafferi (15-6) attempted a flying knee from the get-go and, after an extended clinch at the fence, tripped Kaufman but was unable to take advantage. Most of the round was spent in the clinch, denying Kaufman a chance to use her striking skills.
"She came out crazy, just like I thought she would," said Kaufman.
Kaufman found the mark early in the second but Modafferi, a tall grappler, managed to get the fight back to a clinch at the fence. The Canadian landed knees and punches as the round ended.
Modafferi got Kaufman to the ground again the third, but could not keep her there or hurt her. Then things turned ugly for the challenger.
The 27-year-old Modafferi lives in Japan, where she teaches English, and her corner instructions between rounds were in Japanese.
Kaufman won the 135-pound championship in February in a five-round decision over Takayo Hashi.
Strikeforce says next up for the welterweight champion is Marloes Coenen, with the tournament winner next in line.
After that is the winner of a four-woman single-elimination tournament slated for Aug. 13 in Phoenix.
The four would-be challengers are Miesha (Takedown) Tate, Carina (Beauty But The Beast) Damm, Hitomi (Girlfight Monster) Akano and Maiju Kujala.
The winner will become the official No. 2 contender in Kaufman's division.
