Marloes Coenen has been a champion in a major promotion before, and she thinks it’s time to hold a title belt once again.
Coenen (23-6 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) picked up her second Bellator victory this past Friday when she submitted Arlene Blencowe (6-5 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) with a second-round armbar in the main-card opener.
The women’s featherweight bout was originally planned for the preliminary card, but a last-minute injury to Lorenzo Hood resulted in a promotion to the Spike-televised main card. Coenen originally was upset that she wasn’t going to be on the televised card.
“I would be lying if I said I wasn’t,” Coenen told MMAjunkie following her victory. “But, I also understand what Bellator was trying to achieve with having all the guys at the same weight on the same card. Of course, I understand that. I also think that I have to give a good presentation in the cage. My last fight I wasn’t proud of that. I can’t blame them.”
Coenen’s slick armbar was one of the highlights of Bellator 141. It was the kind of showing that the 34-year-old Dutch fighter wanted after what she felt was a disappointing performance in submitting Annalisa Bucci at Bellator 130.
“I thought my standup could have been better,” she said. “We’re working on that. Ramon Dekkers is my hero, and I want to be like him. I was very pleased with what I did on the ground. I didn’t see it back, but my trainer said my shot was really good and I lifted her up high. So my wrestling is improving. I was happy with that. My top game was good. She couldn’t get away, and this was a good fight.”
Bellator has yet to crown a woman’s champion in any division. Coenen held the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight title and believes it’s time for Bellator to hold a bout for a title.
Coenen said a fight against Julia Budd (7-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) would be a good matchup to crown Bellator’s first female champ at 145 pounds.
“I think that’s a really good idea,” she said. “I think Julia Budd is already lined up. So Julia and me for the title. I think the time is right.”
Check out the full conversation above.
And for more on Bellator 141 check out the MMA Events section of the site.
