MMARising.com: Switching back to your MMA career, your name has come up a number of times in recent discussions involving the upcoming Strikeforce 135-pound women’s tournament. What are your thoughts on the tournament and the Strikeforce women’s division?

Kaitlin: I love the idea of an 8 woman tournament! It would be a good way for Strikeforce to generate interest in the women’s division and introduce a lot of fighters that the casual fan is unfamiliar with presently. I’d jump at the chance to be a part of that tournament. I will fight anyone at 135, and Strikeforce has an awesome collection of fighters at that weight.

MMARising.com: If you are a part of the tournament, who are some of the top female fighters that you would expect to compete against along the way? How well do you feel that your skills would match up with theirs?

Kaitlin: If I had to guess, I would say the tournament would include Sarah, Shayna, Miesha, hopefully Roxanne and Amanda, and maybe Debi unless she is staying at 130 and below. I would say Tara, but I think that she is sticking at 125 for the time being. There are so many women who may end up in that tournament that I would love to fight. I feel like I would be right in there with them.

MMARising.com: Now that you no longer have to worry about juggling school (and homework) in addition to your fighting career, it is easier to dedicate yourself to training and developing your skills as a fighter?

Kaitlin: I think so. I feel much more focused. I am enjoying training even more. The hardest part of balancing school and training for me is that schoolwork comes home with you. Now I am either at work, at the gym or having downtime.

MMARising.com: You’ve mentioned recently that you had a shoulder injury earlier in the year, but that it has been healing well. Reports indicate that the Strikeforce tournament likely won’t begin until November, so will you be close to 100% by then?

Kaitlin: Yes, in July I experienced a Type II AC joint separation. It was pretty unpleasant, but is healing surprisingly well. The doctor has cleared me to fight any time after October 1st. Training is going great and I am able to do everything I was able to do before the injury – other than a few strength training exercises that can be modified. A fight in November would be great!

MMARising.com: As all four of your victories to date have come by knockout, should fans expect to see another highlight-reel KO from you when you return to competition or would you like to shock everyone by making a statement and submitting your next opponent?

Kaitlin: I don’t really care, honestly. I think the likelihood of me winning via submission is a lot more probable than some people realize. I’ve grown a lot since my first MMA fight two years ago.

MMARising.com: If you had the opportunity to set up a dream fight between you and an opponent of your choosing, who would it be and why?

Kaitlin: I’d like to fight Sarah Kaufman. In my mind, she is the top 135er right now, and I like her a lot as a person. I think we would bring out the best fighter in one another.