Two MMA veterans are set to collide at the TUF Nations: Canada Vs Australia Finale on April 16th as former Strikeforce woman’s bantamweight champion Sarah Kaufman takes on Shayna Baszler.
Kaufman made her UFC debut back in October of last year and ended up on the wrong end of a controversial split decision loss to Jessica Eye. In the past week that decision was overturned to a no-contest after Eye was confirmed to have failed a post-fight drug test.
Prior to that Kaufman had won by decision in her Invicta FC bout debut which followed on from a first round armbar defeat to Ronda Rousey in a Strikeforce title fight. In total Kaufman holds a 16-2 (+1nc) record and is currently ranked as the No.5 contender in the division.
Baszler was one of the favorites to win the TUF 18 show thanks to her wealth of experience in the sport and no lack of confidence, but she came unstuck when she was paired up against the eventual winner of the season, Julianna Pena, who surprised her with a rear-naked choke finish.
Baszler has yet to make here official UFC debut, and a 1-2 stint in Invicta FC prior to starring in TUF has left her with an overall 15-8 career record.
The TUF Nations Finale takes place in Quebec, Canada and will be headlined by a middleweight fight between Michael Bisping and Tim Kennedy, with season coaches Patrick Cote and Kyle Noke fighting in the co-main event. It’s not known at this stage whether Kaufman Vs Baszler will feature on the main card or the prelims.
