by Dane McGuire
Women’s MMA pioneer and UFC veteran Sarah Kaufman has announced her decision to hang up her gloves for the final time.
Kaufman was 1-2, 1 No Contest under the worldwide leader in MMA. She then was a one-time Invicta FC bantamweight champion and then a PFL 2019 women’d lightweight semifinalist.
Kaufman offered a full statement on Twitter available in full below.
“While I’ve known since the beginning of my career that it couldn’t continue forever, it’s a bit surreal to finally announce that I am officially retiring from the professional sport of MMA. While I have made my last walk as a competitor, I will always be involved in some capacity as a coach and recreational athlete. I have loved every second in the cage and the amazing people I have met around the world will forever be part of my family.
Starting at 20 years old, I wasn’t sure exactly who I was as a person; but through my 17 year journey, all the people and experiences have shaped me into the person I am today. I am proud of my accomplishments and how I always carried myself with poise, professionalism and never compromised my integrity to get ahead.
I have been fortunate to work with the most amazing coaches and teammates: I couldn’t have done it without you. To all of the competitors I shared the cage with, the teammates I shared hours training with, the fans and supporters who were behind me, the sponsors who enabled me to do what I love, the media who gave me a platform to get my story out there, the promotions who had me step in their cages:
Thank you.
To my head coach, Adam Zugec, Zuma teammates, and longtime coach Ty Goodale: thank you for being in my corner always. To the Jackson-Wink crew, the Roufusport crew, the Syndicate crew: you will always be family. There are too many people to thank individually. You know who you are. You are appreciated.
I have nothing else to say except I am sad the journey has ended but am also at peace knowing I gave everything I could to the sport of MMA. I hope I left it better than when I started.
I am excited to be moving on on my terms and stepping into a new career where I can continue to help others in the community.”
During her 17-year run, Kaufman faced other women’s greats including Ronda Rousey, Valentina Shevchenko, and Liz Carmouche as well as Marloes Coenen while in Strikeforce.