Bellator returns to WMMA, signs Coenen, Budd
Marloes Coenen: “Fighting for Bellator brings my spirit back for fighting! It is great to be working together with Scott Coker again as we both have the same vision.”
One year ago ousted Bellator MMA CEO Bjorn Rebney released all women from the organization. Now new CEO Scott Coker is bringing them back, beginning with featherweights Marloes Coenen and Julia Budd.
We’re incredibly excited to bring in two of the best athletes competing in our sport today, Coker said. We are making a commitment to bring back the female division to Bellator, and feature some of the world’s best in the Bellator cage.
Coenen too expressed enthusiasm.
After fighting professionally for over 15 years, I am honored to be invited into the Bellator cage, she said. Fighting for Bellator brings my spirit back for fighting! It is great to be working together with Scott Coker again as we both have the same vision on fighting. My style is fighting with the objective to knock my opponent out or to submit her. That is exactly what I am planning to do the very first second I step into the Bellator cage.
Coenen and Budd will fight each other at a date to be announced.
The decision on Coker’s part to start with the 145 lb division is a wide one, as the UFC, with 115 and 135 divisions, has wrapped up the best talent in the lighter weights.
Coker is presumably negotiating with Gina Carano and Cris Justino.
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Image courtesy of Esther Lin