Tom Wright, Managing Director for UFC Operations in Canada, Australia and New Zealand, doesn’t often make state which fighters he wants to see on the events in his territories. At yesterday’s UFC 174 press conference held at Rogers Arena in Vancouver, BC, though, he made it known that he wants a 3rd Western Canadian fighter on the card. When asked by local MMA media personality Craig Neilsen, Wright minced no words in stating his desire to see Victoria’s Sarah Kaufman competing at on the company’s June pay per view event.
“In the Octagon she asked that she fight here [Vancouver] and when I saw her after she asked if she could fight here,” Wright stated at the UFC 174 on-sale press conference. “I’ll tell you that I’ve already asked if she could fight here.”
Kaufman (17-2) hit the comeback trail hard in 2014, soundly defeating Leslie Smith at the TUF: Nations Finale in a one-sided unanimous decision victory. This follows up a controversial loss to Jessica Eye in 2013 that later became a no-contest after Eye tested positive for marijuana metabolites. A former Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Champion, Kaufman holds victories over current and former UFC title contenders Alexis Davis, Liz Carmouche, and Meisha Tate. While it’s unsure who could square off with the Canadian brawler, possible match-ups include Jessica Andrade and a re-match with Meisha Tate.
“If it could happen, she would like to see it happen,” said Wright. “I certainly would love to see it happen and I know her fans and the sport in British Columbia would love to see it happen.”
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