According to MMAJunkie.com, Sarah Kaufman will need an opponent after Sara McMann was forced to drop out of their upcoming bout at UFC Fight Night 27.
Kaufman vs. McMann was scheduled for the main card as a possible top-contender bout to face the winner of Ronda Rousey vs. Meisha Tate. With McMann out of the picture, the opportunity to solidify the top position may be hampered unless the UFC can quickly find a quality replacement.
Amanda Nunes is the most likely option available.
She impressed with her first-round TKO victory over Shiela Gaff at UFC 163. Nunes sustained minimal damage and could easily be seen as a justifiable threat. A short training camp would not hinder her general fitness. However, visa and travel issues could create a snag.
Liz Carmouche could also replace McMann as she recently won her match at UFC on Fox 8, again sustaining minimal damage in doing so. A snag is that a rematch with Rousey may be a bit too soon for the former contender.
Outside of Nunes or Carmouche bouts, Kaufman is stuck with few worthwhile options. The UFC may well have to shop outside of known entities of the female divisions.
Because casual fans know so little about female competitors, giving Kaufman a difficult unknown fighter can only hurt the division. Handing Kaufman an easy matchup makes the division look weak.
That leaves the UFC handling a difficult decision with little time for strategy.
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