Former Strikeforce champion Sarah Kaufman retires from MMA

Sarah Kaufman poses at weigh-ins for her 2015 bout against Valentina Shevchenko.Before Ronda Rousey rose to stardom, Sarah Kaufman was one of the first dominant forces on the North American women’s MMA scene. The Canadian bantamweight started her career with a perfect 12-0 record. A run that included KO victories over future UFC title challengers Alexis Davis, Valerie Letourneau, and Roxanne Modafferi—and a decision win over future UFC champion Miesha Tate. In the process she picked up the inaugural Strikeforce women’s bantamweight championship.

Following the first defense of her belt, Kaufman lost her title to fellow pioneering talent Marloes Coenen—eventually challenging again for…