In response to comments made in an interview this week, Strikeforce has stated that undefeated 135-pound women’s champ Sarah Kaufman does indeed still have a current contract with the promotion. MMAFighting.com first posted comments from both Kaufman and Strikeforce.

The situation appears to be similar to that of Strikeforce Middleweight Champion Jake Shields, whose contract with Strikeforce expired following his successful title defence against Dan Henderson. As with Shields, Strikeforce is now working to iron out the contractual issues with Kaufman.

In an interview with MMAFighting.com earlier this week, Kaufman stated that her contract with Strikeforce, which had been purchased from the former EliteXC promotion, had expired following her five-round battle with Takayo Hashi in February. The undefeated Canadian, who has made no secret of her desire to compete as often as possible, stated intentions to pursue fights outside of Strikeforce if the promotion intended to have her sit on the sidelines while a planned 135-pound women’s tournament played out. The tournament, while not yet official, is targeted for late summer.

Strikeforce informed MMAFighting’s Ray Hui today that Kaufman remains under contract and that her deal had been automatically extended when she captured the Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight (135-Pound) Championship by defeating Hashi. Kaufman did not offer further comment on the matter today, but does expect to return to action for Strikeforce. Both sides are reportedly working towards an agreement that would see the talented striker back in the cage soon.

In an exclusive interview with MMARising.com on Sunday, Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said that he intends to have Kaufman fight the winner of the planned 135-pound women’s tournament, but would like to feature her in a “superfight” in the interim. No opponent or timetable for the superfight has been set.