Strikeforce Preview: Sarah Kaufman Aims to Defend Welterweight Crown Against Marloes Coenen
by Leland Roling on Oct 8, 2010 10:00 AM EDT
in Strikeforce Event
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The women's division in mixed martial arts is very similar to that of many other major sports. While it can be competitive and entertaining to watch, it's generally enjoyed by a very small group of fans in comparison to the men's game. In Mixed Martial Arts, the "very small group" is a bit larger due to the fact that there is still an undeniable excitement level when it comes to hand-to-hand combat.
Sarah Kaufman (12-0, 4-0 SF), Strikeforce's 135 pound women's champion, hopes to change that on Saturday night as she battles former Strikeforce 145 pound contender Marloes Coenen (17-4, 1-1 SF) in a women's welterweight title showdown. While Kaufman has been criticized in the past for being relatively boring, she answered those critics by slamming Roxanne Modaferri to the floor and knocking her out in her last performance at Strikeforce Challengers IX. She followed the victory up with a call to Scott Coker to put her on a Showtime main card, and Coker has given her the opportunity on Saturday night.
She won't have an easy task in defending her belt, however, as she battles a very game opponent in Coenen. Coenen is most well-known for withstanding the brutal power of Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos through nearly three rounds back in January. She previously defeated Roxanne Modaferri via armbar in only 1:05 at Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers, a feat that was quite impressive considering Modaferri's track record.
Coenen will be making the cut down to 135 pounds for this fight, and she will have the slight disadvantage of only fighting once this year while Kaufman has fought twice in 2010 with her most recent performance taking place in July. Ring rust could be a factor for Coenen, but I'm more inclined to think that Kaufman's style will frustrate Coenen on the feet.
While Coenen's submission skills are her best offensive weapons, Kaufman's takedown defense and ability to avoid submissions is solid. She's very strong for her weight class and throws hard straight punches on the feet with decent footwork to avoid counters. Coenen's striking has likely improved at Golden Glory but has it improved enough to catch an opponent with great defense?
I doubt it, and I think Coenen's relative inactivity in the last year will hurt her as well. Add on the fact that Kaufman is one of the more disciplined fighters in sticking to her gameplan, and you have the makings of a one-sided affair that heads straight for decision. While I'd love to think Kaufman can end Coenen's night quickly, I don't see it happening. Kaufman defends her title, but it won't be in spectacular fashion. Kaufman via decision.
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It's like GSP vs Dan Hardy
The photo, I mean.
"Now you see that evil will always triumph, because good is dumb."
by menckenstein on Oct 8, 2010 10:25 AM EDT up reply actions
The fight going to decision would kill Strikeforce's night
It would be more boring than all the Strikeforce Nashville fights combined. I cant bear to hear the cocky Kaufman mouth off again. Coenen is good on the feet and has a decent submission game. I hope she ends Kaufman’s night quickly without prolonging our misery.
I was thinking along those lines too. Seeing Kaufman fight might be ok if she gets a quick finish, but another drawn-out and uneventful five rounder should be ratings death. If that happens, what then? Demote her back to Challengers cards? Not very excited about this fight, but it’ll be interesting to see what happens I guess.
by Horselover Fat on Oct 8, 2010 10:33 AM EDT up reply actions
Kaufman winning would set the women’s division back a few years. At least Carano and Cyborg put on exciting fights. Can’t say the same about Sarah.
You can't be serious
Someone that follows a gameplan, is well rounded, and is undefeated sets back the Division? That is some of the dumbest shit I’ve ever heard.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Unintelligent Defense oh yea, I'm blogging now too.
by Damon O. on Oct 8, 2010 11:34 AM EDT up reply actions 2 recs
Nik Lentz followed a gameplan too, so did Melendez in the Aoki fight. Would you want to see that again?
Given the fact that a potential snoozer with no-name fighters is going to showcase the talent in the female division, it will kill interest, ratings and set the division back a few years by people being turned off if the fight is boring.
Why is this a potential snoozer?
Kaufman has had one boring performance. She beat up Meisha Tate and had a nice back and forth battle with Roxy until she drilled her into the ground. Kaufman had a fight with a fighter that did not want to engage. While, Lentz has earned his label with back to back to back lackluster performances. Your ignorance/bandwagon fighter hatred is showing dude. One boring performance and a fighter becomes boring? Stop it.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Unintelligent Defense oh yea, I'm blogging now too.
You sound like a little schoolboy in charge of the Kaufman fan club? I’ve seen her fight and don’t very much care to see her do it again. I hated how she shot her mouth off after the putrid Hashi fight. Someone who fights in a smaller division btw. To call the Roxy fight back-and-forth is a bit of an overstatement.
If you’re so much in love with her, fine. Just don’t expect everyone to have the same opinion, especially over an event that hasn’t even taken place.
No go back and worship your Kaufman statue.
Immaturity will get you no where
It discredits your argument and makes you look foolish. In short, you validated my previous statement.
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Unintelligent Defense oh yea, I'm blogging now too.
It only validates the fact that you’re a whiny kid unable to comprehend what’s written in plain language in front of you. Were your Kaufman-love feelings hurt?
Are you done?
Walking the line between intelligence and ignorance since 1985
@deowade
Unintelligent Defense oh yea, I'm blogging now too.
Next post will be..
cyke sticking his tongue out and calling Deo ugly.
SRSLY BRO
If you fight, you fight. If you hope, you hope.
The fight going to decision would kill Strikeforce’s night
Finish fetish IMO.
Plenty of exciting fights go to decision. Just look at the ‘fight of the night’ bonuses that Zuffa hands out. They almost always go to fights that ended in a decision.
It’s not the decision that’s the problem, its what happens en route to the decision. Would you have awarded FOTN to Aoki-Melendez or Lentz-Winner because they went to decision? Sarah and exciting don’t belong in the same sentence.
What does the ESPN highlight reel..
..know about exciting?
Oh wait.
If you fight, you fight. If you hope, you hope.
Girl fights are usually entertaining
I have faith it’ll steal the show……..little faith but it’s there.
real talk: i picked marloes because she’s better looking.
by nastyem on Oct 8, 2010 10:41 AM EDT reply actions 2 recs
I picked Sarah because we are both Canadian.
I do honestly think she will win although I wouldn’t be disappointed if Marloes managed to take it. I’m a fan of both.
www.mmalinker.com
by exsanguinator on Oct 8, 2010 10:52 AM EDT up reply actions
To Quote Michael Jackson
“You are not alone”…. Maybe it’s my inner Mel Gibson, but I just wish Sarah would put forth some type of effort…You know like Roger Huerta.
"Wait why didn't I kill that motherfvker"
Glad I'm not alone
"Too much awesome on my feet."-Brian Wilson
"Time for the laser show, boys!"- Aubrey Huff
I think that was one of the main reasons she jumped the line honestly. Strikeforce wanted a attractive opponent and she fits the bill. (my wife saw me watching a interview of her the other day and commented on her looks immediately) Marloes winning would make the company and mainstream media happier I think. Especially with Sarah being so outspoken (deservedly imo).
Saying that, I think she has more than enough to make the fight competitive and even possibly win. But, I think Sarah takes this by decision by being able to keep the fight standing and stumping Marloes. Even if it goes to the ground, Sarah has shown she’s hard to submit which just makes it even hard to pick Marloes.
Either way, I’m happy. This should be a great fight if all goes well and I can easily see it stealing the show.
by Empty Thoughts on Oct 8, 2010 1:35 PM EDT up reply actions
I like this fight even though Coenen is coming off a loss. It’s interesting stylistically. I have seen Kaufman in Strikeforce connect with strikes that have wobbled or even dropped her opponents, but it seems like she can’t get that finish with the exception of the Modaferri fight. One thing that I have to wonder is if this will look like a “girl fight” in that it may have that sloppiness that is usually associated with female fights (think Carano vs Cyborg). However, in my opinion, seeing Kaufman’s fights and seeing Coenen’s last fight, I think that it will be a pretty good fight, and not particularly sloppy.
Check out MMA For You at http://www.youtube.com/user/Gobusiness123 for MMA reviews, predictions, and analysis.
Both are great fighters, but I think Coenen will take it...
Two of Coenen’s losses are owing to really bad judging (her first loss to Roxanne, when Roxanne tapped and congratulated Marloes for her victory, and her fight against Cindy Dandois). Only Cyborg and Erin Toughill managed to stop her. But Erin had a 22 lb advantage, and Marloes had had another fight that same night. Plus, Coenen is used to fighting and defeating people bigger than she.
So, while Sarah is strong and tough, does she have the power to stop Marloes?
Sarah, on the other hand, never fought anyone as strong as she. Coenen may actually be as strong, if not stronger. Marloes also hits as hard, if not harder… Roxanne Modaferri remarked that Marloes was stronger and hit harder than anyone she faced, including Tara LaRosa (although this was before her fight with Sarah).
Marloes will have a reach advantage that might neutralize Sarah’s main weapon. Sarah’s best chance is Marloes’ cardio, which may have suffered from the weight-cut… other than that, I see the title going to Holland.
I like both ladies equally and wish them both good luck, though.
This is a good case for Marloes.
It will be an interesting stylistic match up regardless. Hopefully it turns into an interesting fight as well.
If you fight, you fight. If you hope, you hope.
Very solid fight
I think there’s a lot to like about this fight. Both women have proven track records, and Kaufman has shown that she can be hella entertaining as well (please see powerbomb gif above). Glad to see this as a main card fight, and I can’t wait to watch some high quality MMA
Normally I’m on the same page with LR on fight picks, but I think he is way off here. Coenen is a true dutch muay thai fighter from the best camp in the world, and she has a big size advantage over Kaufman. She also mixes punches, kicks and knees well, something Kaufman never seems to do. I think it will probably go to decision, but with Coenen dictating the fight in every round.
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