A trilogy fight between Sarah Kaufman and Alexis Davis has been announced for UFC 186 in Montreal, Canada on April 25th.
It’s a slightly curious bit of matchmaking in that Kaufman already holds two victories against Davis. The first came in 2007 earlier in both woman’s professional careers. In fact it was actually Davis’ pro-debut and it ended in the third round when Kaufman TKO’d her.
Five years later, with both woman now being experienced campaigners, they would meet again in the Strikeforce cage and it turned out to be a full-blooded scrap that ended with Kaufman doing just enough to earn a majority decision victory.
The close, competitive nature of that second encounter may have been the reason these two bantamweights are set to go at it again, though the fact that they are both Canadian certainly helps given that the event will take place in their own home soil.
Since they last fought Kaufman fought Ronda Rousey for the Strikeforce 135lb title, losing out by first round armbar, then earned a victory against Leslie Smith in the Invicta FC promotion before joining the UFC where she’s picked up a win and a no-contest ruling, leaving her ranked at No.5 in the division.
Davis has had an impressive run of form since her second defeat to Kaufman, going on a five fight winning streak over the likes of Liz Carmouche, Jessica Eye and Shayna Baszler before coming undone in just 16 seconds in her title bout with Rousey last year.
Still ranked No.3 in the division, Davis will now look to kill two bird with one stone by getting back to winning ways while also avenging her losses to Kaufman.
