Rousey vs. Kaufman: Round-by-round
In earlier action, Ovince St. Preux won via knockout and Anthony Smith submitted Lumumba Sayers via triangle choke in the first round.
Most notably, Miesha Tate made an amazing return to Strikeforce, ironically finishing Julie Kedzie with a last round armbar. Not bad for Tate who was taken out of action by Ronda Rousey just 5 months ago via the same submission.
Winner: Rousey via armbar submission (Round 1 - 0:54)
Round 1 - It's officially Showtime! Jimmy Lennon Jr. makes the introductions and this fight is on! The ladies look mean out of the gate with Rousey pressing the action. We're grappling out of the gate and on the ground. Rousey takes full mount immediately and the assassin is tugging on Kaufman's arm. They're rolling around the cage like a snowball, but doom is coming. Fast. After about 1 minute, Kaufman can no longer keep her arm against her chest. The arm straightens. The arm starts to bend the wrong way. Sarah Kaufman taps.
Previously:
Ronaldo 'Jacare' Souza vs. Derek Brunson
Winner: 'Jacare' Souze via Knockout
Round 1 - Nuff said. Jacare really must have had an appointment somewhere because he dropped Brunson like a sack of potatoes. Less than a minute into the first round Jacare clocked Brunson with a right hook that hit Brunson like a train. Lights out! It's time for the title fight.
Roger Bowling vs. Tarec Saffiedine
Winner: Tarec Saffiedine by unanimous decision
Round 3 - The stats are dead even but this fight is coming down to heart. Everytime Bowling comes at Saffiedine with a combination, Saffiedine punishes Bowling with a knee or kick. Saffiedine definitely is coming across as the tactician, but Bowling's gutting it out despite his clear exhaustion. With the fight so close it's coming down to the wire and each fighter is looking for their 3rd consecutive win. Bowling attempts another takedown and Saffiedine defends it again. Saffiedine gets some underhooks in the clinch and delivers some nice knees showing strong control toward the end of this fight. The ref wants more action and Saffiedine delivers punching his way out. A late takedown attempt from Bowling may tell the story as his failure yields his back to Saffiedine and now with 2 hooks in, Saffiedine attempts a rear naked choke to finish it all. The horn sounds and Bowling survives, but Saffiedine easily gets the round. Saffiedine 10-9
Round 2 - Round starts out in the worst possible way with Bowling taking an eye poke. When is the gauging going to stop. It wasn't purposeful, but the second round goes into a heavy delay. When the fight resumes, Bowling seems to have some extra energy and spends it delivering some haymaker hooks to Saffiedine's body. He's trying for more takedowns, but has not been succeessful, but eventually gets a hold of Saffiedine's head. Again, Bowling can't seem to convert the few opportunities that he's getting. Saffiedine isn't showing much aggression this round and although a few of the kick and uppercut from Saffiedine are finding their places, it just isn't enough to take this round. Bowling 10-9
Round 1 - Bowling is looking to do some serious damage delivering punishing blow early in the round. Numerous punches to the liver land and Saffiedine needs to turn things around. He does. Saffiedine returns the favor dealing some nice combinations of his own. After some well delivered knees, Bowling decides it's time to get more aggressive and engages Saffiedine against the cage in the clinch. Bowling clearly wants the takedown, but Saffiedine defends it very well and even delivers an elbow as they separate. Bowling's delivering damage but spending a lot of gas to do it. And you can't be sure that all the judges will give him this round. Bowling 10-9
