While the bout was removed from the upcoming Strikeforce Challengers 5 card on November 20th, top bantamweight contenders Takayo Hashi and Sarah Kaufman will still face off in a pivotal battle for title contention. The fight has been rescheduled for January of next year and should determine a #1 contender for a Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship.

Kaufman has confirmed the fight’s revision and will look to remain undefeated when she faces Hashi, who has won eight straight fights and will be making her Strikeforce debut.

Hashi (12-1-0) last tasted defeat in August of 2005 when she was submitted by fellow Japanese standout Hitomi “Girlfight Monster” Akano in less than 90 seconds. She has since reigned undefeated and avenged the loss to Akano in their September 2007 rematch.

Kaufman (10-0-0) was the first and only Hardcore Championship Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Champion. As the top female fighter in Canada since late 2007, Kaufman now aims to solidify her place among the top female fighters in the entire world.

A date and venue for the bout have not been announced, but Kaufman confirmed that the fight should take place next January.