Victoria, B.C’s Sarah Kaufman is now set to make her UFC debut against Bellator veteran Jessica Eye at UFC 166 in Houston.
Kaufman (16-2) was expected to make her promotional debut against Sara McMann at UFC Fight Night 27 on Aug. 28, but after McMann was forced to withdraw with an injury the company was unable to find a replacement for her and Kaufman was removed from the card.
The Canadian is a former Strikeforce champion that has wins over the likes of top-10 fighters Miesha Tate, Liz Carmouche and countrywoman Alexis Davis.
Eye (10-1) typically fights at 125 pounds and will be making her bantamweight debut against Kaufman – the only women’s division the UFC currently has is a 135-pound division. She will also be making her UFC debut.
If you’re unfamiliar with Eye, she’s on a seven-fight win streak and did this to Zoila Frausto Gurgel at Bellator 83 in December 2012.
UFC 166 takes place on Oct. 19 in Houston and is headlined by a heavyweight title bout between Cain Velasquez and Junior dos Santos.
Machida set for middleweight debut
Lyoto Machida has officially decided to drop to middleweight and the former UFC light-heavyweight champ will take on Strikeforce veteran Tim Kennedy in the main event of a UFC Fight for the Troops on Nov. 6 at Fort Campbell in Fort Campbell, Ky.
Machida (19-4) is coming off a controversial decision loss to Phil Davis at UFC 163 last month and had been linked to potential bouts with Nick Diaz, Vitor Belfort and Chael Sonnen.
It had long been speculated that Machida would one day drop down to the 185-pound division, as he was one of the smaller light-heavyweights and did not cut much weight to reach the 205-pound limit. Machida’s friend, UFC star Wanderlei Silva, recently told sportsnet.ca he feels that Machida has what to takes to become middleweight champ.
Kennedy (16-4) was successful in his UFC debut at UFC 162 as he defeated Roger Gracie by unanimous decision.
The event will be the third official Fight for the Troops card the UFC has held since 2008; Kennedy happens to be a military veteran.
Other bouts expected to take place at UFC Fight for the Troops 3 include:
— Jorge Masvidal vs. Rustam Khabilov
— Neil Magny vs. Seth Baczynski
— Ronny Markes vs. Yoel Romero
— Chris Camozzi vs. Lorenz Larkin
— George Roop vs. Francisco Rivera
— Colton Smith vs. Michael Chiesa
— Dennis Bermudez vs. Nik Lentz
