A former Strikeforce title challenger, Kaufman believes that the UFC bantamweights are picking their fights instead of facing tough competition inside the Octagon.
“First, I want to accept her challenge and take this fight,” Kaufman told MMAFighting.com. “I’ve asked (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) for literally every person on the roster. At least Bethe is a fighter and steps up to challenge unlike the rest of division trying to take the easiest path to a title shot.
“I honestly don’t know why I’ve yet to have a fight booked as I’ve been cleared since October,” she continued. “Maybe all the other girls are scared of the fight they know I’d bring to them. Bethe has stepped up and I want to accept. And in return I can promise the fans that there will be violence.”
Ten of Kaufman’s 17 professional victories came by way of knockout, and she’s hoping to score her first stoppage win under the UFC banner against Correia.
“I have been waiting too long and am ready to step in the cage and remind the UFC and the fans of that violence I bring to the Octagon,” she said. “And hey Bethe, you can have your pick of country… Canada is beautiful but I’ve also never been to Brazil.”
Correia underwent an eye surgery last year, but expects to be able to return to the Octagon in late March. In the longest hiatus of her professional MMA career, Kaufman looks as UFC lightweight Donald Cerrone as inspiration.
“The downside to Bethe is that she likely wants a full fight camp, but she specifically told me she would be ready end of March,” Kaufman said. “I’ve been sitting and waiting for too long so for me the sooner the better. Really, I want to be ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, fighting on back-to-back UFC cards.”
A former Strikeforce title challenger, Kaufman believes that the UFC bantamweights are picking their fights instead of facing tough competition inside the Octagon.
“First, I want to accept her challenge and take this fight,” Kaufman told MMAFighting.com. “I’ve asked (UFC matchmaker) Sean (Shelby) for literally every person on the roster. At least Bethe is a fighter and steps up to challenge unlike the rest of division trying to take the easiest path to a title shot.
“I honestly don’t know why I’ve yet to have a fight booked as I’ve been cleared since October,” she continued. “Maybe all the other girls are scared of the fight they know I’d bring to them. Bethe has stepped up and I want to accept. And in return I can promise the fans that there will be violence.”
Ten of Kaufman’s 17 professional victories came by way of knockout, and she’s hoping to score her first stoppage win under the UFC banner against Correia.
“I have been waiting too long and am ready to step in the cage and remind the UFC and the fans of that violence I bring to the Octagon,” she said. “And hey Bethe, you can have your pick of country… Canada is beautiful but I’ve also never been to Brazil.”
Correia underwent an eye surgery last year, but expects to be able to return to the Octagon in late March. In the longest hiatus of her professional MMA career, Kaufman looks as UFC lightweight Donald Cerrone as inspiration.
“The downside to Bethe is that she likely wants a full fight camp, but she specifically told me she would be ready end of March,” Kaufman said. “I’ve been sitting and waiting for too long so for me the sooner the better. Really, I want to be ‘Cowboy’ Cerrone, fighting on back-to-back UFC cards.”
