Strikeforce
Strikeforce Title challenger Sarah Kaufman wants to test Ronda Rousey's chin on August 18
Jun 29, 2012 - 9:00:20 PM Strikeforce Title challenger Sarah Kaufman wants to test Ronda Rousey's chin on August 18

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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief

Through five professional MMA fights, Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Champion Ronda Rousey has only been in the cage for around seven minutes total. That limited combined time means that she's destroyed her competition with relative ease, but it also means that she hasn't seen much in the way of opposition overall.

Her stand up game was put to the test somewhat in her title winning performance over Miesha Tate, but she was able to overpower Tate to bring the fight to the ground. Against Sarah Kaufman on August 18, that may not be as easy of a task, and Kaufman plans to test how well the newly crowned champion can take a punch when they square off in San Diego.

"Ronda hasn't fought someone like me yet. It's going to be a shock for her," Kaufman said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "I definitely want to test [Ronda's] chin, for sure. I don't think Miesha came up with the greatest game plan, just running straight at [her]."

Kaufman believes Rousey's quick rise up the ranks and short time in the sport mean she's going to be at a disadvantage in the striking game, and it will be an area she can exploit come August.

"Ronda hasn't been in the sport very long, so she hasn't developed that side of her game yet and is really relying solely on her judo at this point," Kaufman said. "She's a good athlete; you can look at her and see that. She moves well, and with her judo she's done well.

"I think it's going to take a while before she has any ground to stand on as far as the striking."

Kaufman thinks her experience also helps her when it comes to this big of a fight. She believes Rousey may not be able to deal with the pressure of her first title defense, as well as Kaufman's drive to retain the title she once held.

"It's hard to stay at the top once you're at the top," she said. "Everyone below you is gunning up, and you've already reached that pinnacle. That being said, Ronda has only had five fights, and I think she is going to be nervous and is definitely going have the jitters when it comes to how serious my style is versus her style, as well as caring about having that title. "

"There's been more of a buildup coming to this fight, having the title and knowing what that's like and having fought those five rounds, it's really exciting to be able to have that journey looking back toward it. It makes you want it that much more."

Penick's Analysis: Kaufman obviously thinks she's the better, more experienced fighter regardless of Rousey's skills and stature in the sport in 2012. One of the big things about this fight is Kaufman's wrestling game; she may be solid enough with her wrestling base and defense to keep this fight standing longer than any of Rousey's other opponents. That plays into her abilities on the feet, and if Rousey can't find a way to get her to the ground she'll definitely be in some trouble considering how often she was getting hit by Tate at times. Kaufman's a hard hitter, and a very solid opponent overall, so this fight is going to be quite interesting for both fighters. Rousey is wholly capable of doing to Kaufman what she's done to all her opponents, but Kaufman is also probably her toughest challenge to date.