With Shayna “The Queen of Spades” Baszler sidelined due to a training injury, former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman has received a new opponent for The Ultimate Fighter: “Nations” Finale on April 16th in Québec City, Québec, Canada. Kaufman now faces Amanda “Lioness” Nunes.

Globo and Tatame first reported on the fight change today. Baszler was forced out of the planned rematch with Kaufman this week. Nunes was originally booked to face unbeaten Octagon newcomer Alexis Dufresne at UFC on FOX 11 on April 19th. Dufresne now remains without an opponent.

Nunes (9-3-0) has recently regained her former status as a top contender in the women’s bantamweight division thanks to a pair of stoppage victories in each of her two UFC bouts to date. In her promotional debut, Nunes mauled an overmatched Sheila “The German Tank” Gaff en route to a quick first-round TKO triumph at UFC 163. She returned to the cage in November and needed fewer than four minutes to dispatch of multi-time Muay Thai world champion Germaine “The Iron Lady” de Randamie. A victory over Kaufman later this month would put Nunes on a short list of UFC title contenders.

Kaufman (16-2-0, 1 ND) has endured ups and downs since losing her Strikeforce title in October 2010. After racking up three straight wins, Kaufman’s bid to reclaim her Strikeforce belt ended in a 54-second submission defeat at the hands of current UFC champ “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey. In her lone appearance for Invicta FC, Kaufman eked out a contentious Split Decision win over Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith. She made her Octagon debut at UFC 166 and lost a Split Decision to Jessica “Evil” Eye, but the result was overturned when Eye tested positive for cannabinoids. Kaufman now seeks her first UFC win.

The Ultimate Fighter: “Nations” Finale takes place on April 16th at Colisée Pepsi in Québec City, Québec, Canada.

(Photo Credit: UFC)