Former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman has received a new opponent for her upcoming bout on December 19th at UFC on FOX 17: “Dos Anjos vs Cerrone 2” in Orlando, Florida. Kaufman now meets Octagon newcomer Valentina “Bullet” Shevchenko, who steps in on just one week’s notice.
UFC officials announced the updated bantamweight bout today. Kaufman was initially set to face Germaine “The Iron Lady” de Randamie on the card, but de Randamie was forced to withdraw due to an injury. The once-beaten Shevchenko brings a solid four-fight winning streak into her UFC debut.
Kaufman (17-3-0, 1 ND) is no stranger to short-notice fight changes, but the Canadian standout gladly accepted the revised fight in order to stay on next Saturday’s card. In her most recent UFC appearance, Kaufman was submitted by long-time rival Alexis “Ally-Gator” Davis in the pair’s trilogy fight at UFC 186 in April. She previously earned her second decision victory over Leslie “The Peacemaker” Smith at the TUF Nations Finale one year earlier. Now looking to get back into the 135-pound title picture, Kaufman faces an intriguing challenge in eight days.
Shevchenko (12-1-0) has competed all over the world during her combat sports career. The decorated striker racked up eight straight victories before suffering her lone MMA loss to former Strikeforce and UFC title challenger Liz “Girl-Rilla” Carmouche in September 2010. Since then, Shevchenko has returned to her winning ways by defeating four consecutive opponents. She most recently dominated Jan “Cuddles” Finney at Legacy Fighting Championship 39 in February, and now departs from Legacy FC in order to challenge Kaufman inside the UFC Octagon.
UFC on FOX 17: “Dos Anjos vs Cerrone 2” takes place on December 19th at Amway Center in Orlando, Florida. The event is headlined by a UFC Lightweight Championship rematch between Rafael dos Anjos and Donald “Cowboy” Cerrone, and also features a women’s strawweight bout between Randa “Quiet Storm” Markos and KSW champ Karolina Kowalkiewicz.
(Photo Credit: UFC)