Liz Carmouche shocked the world by hanging with Strikeforce champion Marloes Coenen, but she couldn't catch Sarah Kaufman off-guard. The former champ was prepared to stuff Carmouche's takedown game and worked beautifully behind a jab on her way to an easy unanimous decision victory, 30-27 on all cards, at Strikeforce Challengers 17� in Las Vegas.
Kaufman (14-1) lost her title to Coenen last October. Now she'll wait to see what happens on the next Strikeforce card in Chicago. At the end of the month, Coenen defends her title against Miesha Tate. Unless there's a controversial decision in that one, requiring a rematch, one would think Kaufman gets the next shot to get her gold back.
"What I need to happen is Marloes Coenen to defend that title. I need to be the next fight in there," Kaufman told Showtime announcer Mauro Ranallo. "I want to take the title back, I want to avenge my loss and I hope the fans want to see that."
If she boxes the way she did tonight against Carmouche, any fight fan will enjoy Kaufman in the cage. Carmouche has only been a pro since early 2010 and it showed. Her aggression cost her throughout. She'd charge into the pocket to throw a right and leave her left hand too low. Kaufman nailed her throughout with short rights inside. The real damage was done by the volume of Kaufman jabs. By the middle of the second round, it appeared that Carmouche nose was busted. At the end of the round, there was blood splattered all over her face and shoulders.
"I feel pretty good about the win. I know Liz, even though she doesn't have a large record, is very tough, very strong. And she puts up a good fight. She's in here to fight," said Kaufman.
Kaufman was also brilliant with her takedown defense. Getting the fight off the feet was the only shot Carmouche had in the fight, but she was thwarted on all but one takedown attempt. Even in that case, Kaufman rose to her feet within 10 seconds.
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