Sarah Kaufman Talks Cyborg, Hashi and the future of the female division

[Extremesyko420]

Full Interview

Recapping With Sarah Kaufman - I'm Really Happy I've Managed To Get Where I Am At Now

by Andrew Gladstone - 03-10-2010

Sarah Kaufman (11-0) is the first female Strikeforce 135lbs champion. Kaufman won the title after defeating top ranked Japanese fighter Takayo Hashi at Strikeforce Challengers 6.


Kaufman interestingly enough had no sports background before entering mixed martial arts. She originally started out as a dancer, dancing a mix of every style and met future coach Zuma coach Adam Zugec at the gym directly below her dance studio.



The Strikeforce champion currently trains under Adam Zegac in her hometown of Victoria, British Columbia, Canada and Greg Jackson in Albuquerque, New Mexico. MMA Recap’s Andrew Gladstone spoke with the Kaufman to give mixed martial arts fans a bird’s eye view into the mind of the new Strikeforce 135lbs female champion.



What’s it like fighting for Strikeforce?

Strikeforce is a great organization especially for the females in the sport. They’re really giving us the quality and putting up the titles. It’s an awesome organization especially how they treat us and having exposure they give us with Showtime and some of the CBS shows.



I would like to congratulate you on the victory. What’s it like being the newly crowned Strikeforce 135lb champion? And what is your take on defeating Takayo Hashi?

Well I mean it’s one of those things you never really think. When I started out, I never thought I’d be in the position I am now, ranked number one and holding the biggest title there is for females in my division. It is very surreal and humbling all at once and I’m really happy I’ve managed to get to where I am at now.



Takayo was a really good opponent, she’s kind of known for going to decisions. I was hoping to avoid that, and not let her drag it out. She just didn’t give me the opportunity to finish her.


What’s your take on mma organizations not having women’s fights and saying there aren’t enough talented females out there?

There’s not much I can say. I really think that the talent pool is growing everyday. I think the 135lbs division is the deepest division out there for the females, to be at the pinnacle of that, it’s great. If other organizations aren’t interested in hosting female fights, we’ll just have to put on a great show and make sure the people know and if the fans want to see, it’ll be more opportunities for the females out there.


Would you consider moving up in weight or a catch weight to fight Christina “Cyborg” Santos?

At this point I’m really happy at 135, and having just won the title I ‘d like to defend the title a couple of times if I can and then see what happens from there. If it’s something the fans want, title vs. title, then it’s something I might consider.



Which fight do you feel you’ve learned the most from?

I’ve probably learned the most from this last fight I had with Hashi. Following the game plan and then not having someone not really fighting back is really hard to make a fight exciting. I haven’t really watched the fight yet, so I’m excited to review the tape and see what I can pick up and what I could’ve done differently to pick up the pace more when someone isn’t willing to engage, to really force the fight to be fast paced and interesting.


Who would you like to fight next?

Whoever Strikeforce would like to put in front of me would be great. People have been talking about Roxanne Modafferi. If they put her in there great, if they put someone else up in there great, I’m up for anything.



Where do you see the world of female fighting going in 10 years?

Hopefully in 10 years the divisions are even bigger and deeper than they are now. It’s something that’s going to gain a lot more fan interest. It already is starting to, you know it’s great to see the organizations supporting the females and you know just seeing it grow that way it would be great.

[Matsune]

Very much appreciate, man!

[Extremesyko420]

For those who missed it.