The Strikeforce Women’s Welterweight (135-Pound) Championship will be on the line when undefeated Canadian Sarah Kaufman defends against Roxanne Modafferi at Strikeforce Challengers 9. Strikeforce Director of Communications Mike Afromowitz confirmed the July 23rd bout with MMARising.com earlier today.
Kaufman captured the title in a five-round February bout with Takayo Hashi at Strikeforce Challengers 6, while Modafferi earned her shot at the gold by upsetting Tara LaRosa at Moosin: “Sylvia vs Pudzianowski” on May 21st.
Kaufman (11-0-0) won her first eight fights by a form of knockout and first captured the Hardcore Championship Fighting Women’s Bantamweight Championship in October of 2007. She successfully defended the HCF title before the promotion folded in mid-2008, but was forced to sit on the sidelines for nearly a year before she would fight again. Kaufman made her Strikeforce debut last May as a late replacement against Miesha Tate and went on to pick up decision wins over Tate, Shayna Baszler and Hashi in a trio of Strikeforce Challengers appearances.
Modafferi (15-5-0) also made her Strikeforce debut on very short notice, as she moved up in weight last November to rematch Marloes Coenen. Modafferi lost the fight, which snapped a six-fight winning streak that included a victory over Coenen, but she rebounded with a January submission of veteran Molly Helsel. Modafferi, who works and resides in Japan, returned to the U.S. to face LaRosa for a second time on the Moosin card and picked up the biggest victory of her career when she defeated LaRosa – and avenged a 2006 loss – by Split Decision.
With Modafferi, already a champion in multiple promotions throughout her career, finally receiving a shot at Strikeforce gold, fans will be treated to an exciting co-main event at Strikeforce Challengers 9. The event will be headlined by a heavyweight bout between Shane del Rosario and Lolohea Mahe and takes place on July 23rd at the Comcast Arena in Everett, Washington.
