MMA Glendale-trained fighter Ronda Rousey set to defend title against Sarah Kaufman

It had become a forgone conclusion that “Rowdy” Ronda Rousey would make the first defense of her Strikeforce women’s bantamweight championship against former title holder and top contender Sarah Kaufman.

Now, according to multiple mixed-martial-arts websites, including MMAFighting.com and MMAJunkie.com, it looks as though there is finally a time and place.

Rousey, whose star status has taken off in the wake of her title victory over Miesha Tate on March 3, is set to face Kaufman, a talented striker, on Aug. 18 in San Diego at a venue to be named, though the Valley View Casino Center has previously hosted two other Strikeforce cards.

Rousey, who trains at, among other Southern California locales, the Glendale Fighting Club under lead trainer Edmond Tarverdyan, is 5-0.

She’s taken the burgeoning world of women’s MMA by storm since her debut just over a year ago in March of 2011, as she’s defeated all five of her opponents via armbar submission inside the first round in addition to grabbing notice with her brash, but eloquent, smack talk, as well as her good looks.

Since winning the belt, she’s been called “a rock star” by Ultimate Fighting Championship President Dana White, as Rousey has traveled back and forth across the country making appearances — such as shoots for Maxim, speaking on behalf of legalizing MMA in New York, attending live UFC and Strikeforce events and appearing on “The Ultimate Fighter” — on behalf of Strikeforce and sibling company UFC.

Kaufman (15-1) had previously spoken out about her displeasure in Rousey getting a shot against Tate when Kaufman believed she had earned No. 1-contender status. Kaufman has won her last three fights and 10 of her 15 victories have come via knockout. Her only career loss came when she dropped the Strikeforce title to Marloes Coenen on Oct. 9, 2010. Interestingly enough, the loss came in the third round via armbar submission.

Rousey was not immediately available for comment to confirm.