Chael Sonnen Presents Submission Underground 5Oct 1, 2017 by Willie Saylor
Kaufman Ready For SUG 5, Eyes UFC Return
Kaufman Ready For SUG 5, Eyes UFC Return
Former UFC fighter Sarah Kaufman talks SUG 5 match and wanting to return to the Octagon.
by Duane Finley of FloCombat
Sarah Kaufman has proven to be as game as they come when competing inside the cage.
The scrappy Canadian was won world titles for major promotions, all the while going toe-to-toe with some of the best competitors to ever step foot into women's MMA. That said, the 32-year-old British Columbia native is far from set in her ways, and is always up for a new challenge when the opportunity presents itself.
Strangely enough for Kaufman, her next challenge will also take place inside a cage, but she won't be able to use many of the weapons she's accustomed to on fight night.
The former Strikeforce champion will lock up with Amanda Diggins at SUG 5 on Sunday night on FloGrappling in a bout that takes place under limited rules of combat. Granted, submission only grappling has come to be known as a more aggressive type of jiu-jitsu competition, but Kaufman will certainly have to hold back a bit in certain areas of the fray.
"We can totally use elbows right?" Kaufman laughed when talking to FloCombat this week. "I mean I can throw some punches and elbows if I need to. That's within the rules I think."
When the action goes live at the Roseland Theater on Sunday night, Kaufman will not only be stepping into Diggins' world, but her backyard as well. The Portland-based grappler will certainly have home turf advantage, but Kaufman believes the massive advantage she holds in high profile competitions will carry her through the challenge.
"I'm definitely excited to step into a new realm and test myself," Kaufman said. "I have years of fighting experience and have been in a lot of great fights during my time in MMA. While the rules are different and there are certain things I can't do in this match, the overall challenge is still the same. It's still me against another capable opponent who will be looking to go out there and impose her will on me. I'm not going to let that happen and I'm really looking forward to getting in there."
And while Kaufman looks to have her hands full at SUG 5, her mind is never far from throwing fists inside the Octagon. Although she's currently not under contract with the UFC, Kaufman wanted to make it know she's ready to throw down at the drop of a hat if needed. The UFC need only make that call and she will answer.
"I'm not currently under contract right now but an opening just became available at UFC 216 in Las Vegas. Andrea Lee was supposed to have a fight but she was just removed from the card due to an issue with USADA. That leaves her opponent without a fight and I'm putting it out there right now I'd love to get that call. I'll grapple at SUG on Sunday and I can be in Las Vegas as soon as I leave here.
So a victory at SUG 5 and a triumphant return to the UFC would make for a fantastic turn of events?
"That sounds like a pretty great week to me," Kaufman said.
Sarah Kaufman has proven to be as game as they come when competing inside the cage.
The scrappy Canadian was won world titles for major promotions, all the while going toe-to-toe with some of the best competitors to ever step foot into women's MMA. That said, the 32-year-old British Columbia native is far from set in her ways, and is always up for a new challenge when the opportunity presents itself.
Strangely enough for Kaufman, her next challenge will also take place inside a cage, but she won't be able to use many of the weapons she's accustomed to on fight night.
The former Strikeforce champion will lock up with Amanda Diggins at SUG 5 on Sunday night on FloGrappling in a bout that takes place under limited rules of combat. Granted, submission only grappling has come to be known as a more aggressive type of jiu-jitsu competition, but Kaufman will certainly have to hold back a bit in certain areas of the fray.
"We can totally use elbows right?" Kaufman laughed when talking to FloCombat this week. "I mean I can throw some punches and elbows if I need to. That's within the rules I think."
When the action goes live at the Roseland Theater on Sunday night, Kaufman will not only be stepping into Diggins' world, but her backyard as well. The Portland-based grappler will certainly have home turf advantage, but Kaufman believes the massive advantage she holds in high profile competitions will carry her through the challenge.
"I'm definitely excited to step into a new realm and test myself," Kaufman said. "I have years of fighting experience and have been in a lot of great fights during my time in MMA. While the rules are different and there are certain things I can't do in this match, the overall challenge is still the same. It's still me against another capable opponent who will be looking to go out there and impose her will on me. I'm not going to let that happen and I'm really looking forward to getting in there."
@mmasarah is excited to take on Amanda Diggins at @SUG_Grappling 5 tomorrow. Like, really, really excited: https://t.co/EVHu8YqVXn pic.twitter.com/deLOcjgYpA
— FloGrappling (@FloGrappling) October 1, 2017
And while Kaufman looks to have her hands full at SUG 5, her mind is never far from throwing fists inside the Octagon. Although she's currently not under contract with the UFC, Kaufman wanted to make it know she's ready to throw down at the drop of a hat if needed. The UFC need only make that call and she will answer.
"I'm not currently under contract right now but an opening just became available at UFC 216 in Las Vegas. Andrea Lee was supposed to have a fight but she was just removed from the card due to an issue with USADA. That leaves her opponent without a fight and I'm putting it out there right now I'd love to get that call. I'll grapple at SUG on Sunday and I can be in Las Vegas as soon as I leave here.
So a victory at SUG 5 and a triumphant return to the UFC would make for a fantastic turn of events?
"That sounds like a pretty great week to me," Kaufman said.