Think Cat Zingano is Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) women's 135-pound number one contender?
Think again.
While Alexis Davis has earned the next crack at reigning division titleholder Ronda Rousey, former Strikeforce bantamweight queenpin Sarah Kaufman is hoping to "step over" the absentee "Alpha," just as soon as she gets rid of Leslie Smith.
From her conversation with MMA Junkie:
"I'm not looking at anyone past Leslie, but I do think a fight with Miesha or Liz Carmouche, whoever wins that fight (at UFC on FOX 11), would be a great opponent. It would make sense in terms of the rankings and in terms of our standing with the UFC. I also have been pushing for a fight with Cat Zingano for a long time. I think she's great, I don't think she should be the No. 1 contender, especially coming off such a long layoff, so I think she should have a fight prior to getting a title shot and I would love to be the one who kind of steps over and gets that win and that title shot."
Kaufman was submitted by Rousey back in late 2012.
Since then, the Canadian is 1-0 with one "no decision," with said victory coming over the aforementioned Smith under the Invicta FC banner. They'll do the deed for a second time later tonight (April 16, 2014) at The Ultimate Fighter (TUF): "Nations" Finale in Quebec City.
After that?
A win could put her in line for the winner of Miesha Tate vs. Liz Carmouche, or perhaps even a showdown against Zingano, who hasn't seen action for over a year, thanks to a pair of major setbacks. But none of that matters if she fails to win her war against "The Peacemaker."
Find out if she does right here.