A Bellator Belt is the Motivation, but Marloes Coenen Knows a Tough Fight Awaits

Though she managed to pick up a win over Annalisa Bucci in her Bellator debut last October, former Strikeforce champion Marloes “Rumina” Coenen is critical of how she picked up the victory, as she prepares for her next fight.

“I really wanted to end it in the first round, but it ended in the third round, so I didn’t feel good about it, but it was the first fight since a long layoff and coming off a loss to Cyborg (Cris Justino), so it was important to win,” Coenen told MMAWeekly.com.

“I never want to win on points, so I’m glad it was on submission, but it would have been better if it would have been in the first round.”

Coenen is 15 years into her career, but has only averaged one fight a year of late. She manages to stay focused by constantly developing her game.

”Fortunately, MMA is a sport that is progressing so fast and there are so many skills that you have to progress that it never becomes boring,” said Coenen. “I’m still training every day with a lot of joy, and it’s not difficult for me to stay active in between fights.

“When I started out, there were no female fighters to look up to, so the reason I did it was because I like adventure and exciting things, and I think that’s the motor of my career. I didn’t do it for money, I did it because I liked it, and even if I stop fighting one day, I’ll still be training because I like this sport.”

Coenen (22-6) returns to Bellator on Friday to face hot-streaking Arlene Blencowe (6-4) in a feature 145-pound bout in Temecula, Calif.

“She’s a much decorated boxer with very heavy hands, and standing up against the cage she is very good as well, but I want to win by knockout,” said Coenen of Blencowe. “I always say that, but I end up winning by submission, but for me I want to win by knockout… even though I’ll probably win by submission.”

Having held multiple titles in the past, Coenen is looking to add yet another in Bellator, but first she knows she has to get past a tough challenge in Blencowe on Aug. 28.

“You need motivation and a belt is definitely that,” said Coenen. “I want that Bellator belt around my waist, but I’m not looking past this fight. I’m focusing on Arlene. She’s a tough girl. She doesn’t have a lot of MMA fights, but she’s had a lot of boxing fights, so I’m not underestimating her.”

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