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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
The UFC managed to keep Sarah Kaufman on today's "Ultimate Fighter: Nations" Finale card, tapping an opponent she faced just last year in Leslie Smith to make a short notice UFC debut.
Kaufman's glad this latest opponent change brings her against someone she fought once before, as she feels more prepared for what Smith can do. She's hoping to use that to her advantage, pick up a quick win, and then turn right back around to fight in Vancouver in two months at UFC 174.
"Having fought Leslie before alleviates some of the worry about not knowing what she'll bring to the table," Kaufman said in an interview with MMAJunkie.com. "If it was a total unknown there would be more anxiety there, but because we've scouted her before it's been good for me."
"I want to have a strong win, get a knockout, put some money in my pocket, turn around into another fight camp and then fight in front of literally my home crowd in Vancouver."
She's not sure who would be available for that June 14 card, but she would like to get a crack at either the Miesha Tate-Liz Carmouche winner or Cat Zingano.
"I'm not looking at anyone past Leslie," Kaufman said. "But I do think a fight with Miesha or Liz Carmouche, whoever wins that fight [at UFC on Fox 11], would be a great opponent. It would make sense in terms of the rankings and in terms of our standing with the UFC.
"I also have been pushing for a fight with Cat Zingano for a long time. I think she's great, I don't think she should be the No. 1 contender, especially coming off such a long layoff. So I think she should have a fight prior to getting a title shot and I would love to be the one who kind of steps over and gets that win and that title shot."
Penick's Analysis: Kaufman's got to get past a very tough test in Smith for starters, but regardless, I don't think Zingano's going to be ready by June. Had that been the case, it would be her fighting Ronda Rousey in July instead. That said, if Kaufman beats Smith, then fights and beats someone like Carmouche or Tate in June as well, an August or September matchup with Zingano could make a lot of sense.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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