Sarah Kaufman has endured an extended absence from the cage, and Saturday's bout marks her return to action.
Kaufman (21-5), a native of Victoria, British Columbia, will headline BTC 13 this Saturday, taking on Bellator standout Jessy Miele (9-5).
This marks the Canadian's first appearance since she dropped a decision to Larissa Pacheco at lightweight during the PFL in October 2019. Throughout that span, Kaufman had been campaigning at bantamweight, yet found herself unable to book bouts. Rather than continue waiting, she has chosen to move up to featherweight for Saturday's matchup against Miele.
"In truth, this has been the reality for much of my career," Kaufman told MMA Empire. "I spent a full year cutting weight, hoping a fight would materialize, but nobody stepped up to take Sarah Kaufman."
"It's essentially a wasteland of opponents willing to face me, and that's been incredibly frustrating. Some fans tell me it's a compliment that I'm too good for anyone to want to fight. But the reality is, it means I can't get on a card. I've been chasing a bout at 135 pounds for years. I have zero interest in moving to 145, and I honestly considered turning this down because of that. But I needed to step inside the cage."
Should Kaufman, 36, secure a victory on Saturday, she views it as sufficient proof to earn another shot in the UFC.
The Canadian firmly believes her departure from the organization was premature, and maintains she could compete with anyone in the bantamweight ranks.
"I don't feel I need additional wins to return to the UFC," Kaufman said. "My track record and abilities speak for themselves. I've demonstrated I'm at an elite level and belong among the best women in the sport."
"The UFC is constantly searching for fresh talent and compelling matchups. I haven't faced most of the top-10 women, except for Miesha Tate. There's a wealth of potential fights I could be part of. I'm someone the UFC should want on their roster, and a victory positions me to head back."
While Miele may not ring a bell with many die-hard followers, Kaufman recalls they nearly met on several occasions in the past.
The two fighters were once slated to clash, and after watching Miele's performances in Bellator, Kaufman recognized the matchup made logical sense.
"We've been linked for fights multiple times over the years," Kaufman explained. "We were originally booked to meet at 135 pounds in either 2017 or 2018. Unfortunately, the organizers fell through on it."
"She's been on my radar for quite some time. She's competed in Bellator, bringing solid experience and having faced quality opposition such as Julia Budd."
Kaufman feels confident in her arsenal and believes she can dictate the pace regardless of where the action unfolds.
She possesses every weapon necessary to claim the decision, but she's specifically targeting a finish to demonstrate her elite status.
"I expect a grueling battle. She's resilient and looking to establish her reputation alongside mine," Kaufman noted. "I wouldn't classify her as elite in any single area, but she brings balance across the board. There aren't any glaring weaknesses in her skill set."
"That versatility is what makes her durable and keeps her competitive throughout fights. I'm confident I can find openings and land the heavy punches. If I pull that off, I believe I'll dominate in every facet and secure the victory — ideally via stoppage."
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