Ronda Rousey vs Sarah Kaufman confirmed for August 18th Strikeforce card

Strikeforce officially announced today that women’s Bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey (5-0) will make her highly-anticipated initial title defense against former champion Sarah Kaufman (15-1) at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego, Califonia, on Saturday, August 18.

Strikeforce CEO Scott Coker said via press release: “We’re excited to head back to the Valley View Casino Center in San Diego with the first title defense of bantamweight champion Ronda Rousey, arguably the best female fighter in the sport today. She’s submitted all of her opponents thus far, but number one contender Sarah Kaufman has the experience and tenacity to push her like no one else. This is a great title fight for Strikeforce fans and we look forward to another tremendous night of fights in San Diego!”

Rousey, a bronze medalist for the U.S. women’s 2008 Olympic Judo team, won her title this past March with an armbar victory over Meisha Tate.

Kaufman is currently riding a three-fight win streak of her own against Megumi Yabushita, Liz Carmouche and Alexis Davis and is one of the most well-rounded women in MMA. The former champion holds a brown belt in Brazilian jiu-jitsu and felt she should have taken the title shot against Tate instead of Rousey.

Both ladies will put it all on the line in San Diego on August 18.