Shayna Baszler Injured, Sarah Kaufman Without Opponent for ‘TUF Nations’ Finale

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Shayna Baszler has been forced to withdraw from her meeting with Sarah Kaufman due to injury, Ultimate Fighting Championship officials announced Tuesday.

The bantamweights were expected to collide on April 16 at “The Ultimate Fighter Nations” finale, but Kaufman now stands without an opponent. The event takes place at Pepsi Coliseum in Quebec City and is headlined by a pivotal middleweight clash pitting Michael Bisping against Tim Kennedy.

Baszler, 33, began her career more than 10 years ago but only recently introduced herself to UFC fans as a cast member of “The Ultimate Fighter 18.” A Strikeforce and EliteXC alumna, “The Queen of Spades” last competed in January 2013, suffering a third-round submission defeat to Alexis Davis at Invicta FC 4.

A former Strikeforce bantamweight champion, Kaufman, 28, suffered a split decision defeat to Jessica Eye in her UFC debut last October -- a setback that was later changed to a no decision when Eye tested positive for marijuana metabolites. Prior to that result, Kaufman had won four of her last five, with her only defeat in that span coming to current UFC ruler Ronda Rousey.