Strikeforce champ Rousey enlists Lucia Rijker as striking coach ahead of Kaufman bout

Cat--Smasher · 07-04-2012, 06:59 AM

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Amid the stir Ronda Rousey caused with her outspoken persona and title-winning fight against Miesha Tate, UFC president Dana White recently wondered whether she would become the Lucia Rijker of MMA – a dominant champ on a too-small stage.

As Rousey prepares for her first title defense, Rijker can now weigh in on that question.

Rousey manager Darin Harvey today told MMAjunkie.com (UFC blog for UFC news, UFC rumors, fighter interviews and event previews/recaps | MMAjunkie.com) that the Strikeforce women's bantamweight champion has enlisted the famed kickboxer and boxer as a coach.

Rousey (5-0 MMA, 3-0 SF) meets Sarah Kaufman (15-1 MMA, 6-1 SF) at "Strikeforce: Rousey vs. Kaufman," which takes place Aug. 18 at Valley View Casino Center in San Diego. The event's main card airs live on Showtime while preliminary-card fights air on Showtime Extreme.

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The now-retired Rijker, 44, amassed a 17-0 professional record as a boxer and a 36-0 record as a kickboxer, winning six world titles in the process.

Back in her native Los Angeles after a stint with the Cesar Gracie Fight Team in Stockton, Calif., Rousey also is training at Team Hayastan in North Hollywood and Glendale Fighting Club.

Although White is invested in the current women's champ, he is less than optimistic about her long-term viability.

"Unfortunately, I think she's is going to be the Lucia Rijker of MMA," he said. "She's the female boxer that was really the best in the world. You heard of Christie Martin and Laila Ali and all these other people, (and) they wouldn't fight her. Nobody wanted to fight Lucia Rijker. She was sparring with guys. She was probably the best female boxer ever, and nobody knows who the hell she is."

Strikeforce champ Rousey enlists Lucia Rijker as striking coach ahead of Kaufman bout | MMAjunkie.com