Marloes Coenen

Marloes Coenen: Pioneer of Women’s MMA

Marloes Coenen, born on March 31, 1981, in Olst, the Netherlands, is one of the greatest pioneers of women’s MMA and is widely regarded as one of the best female fighters in the history of the sport. Known for her technical ground game and fight intelligence, Coenen achieved major success in organizations such as Strikeforce and Bellator, where she won several world titles. She is praised for her contribution to the growth and recognition of women in mixed martial arts (MMA).

Early Life and Career Beginnings

Marloes Coenen began her martial arts career at a young age in the Netherlands, where she was inspired by her family, which had a long history in martial arts. She started martial arts training at the age of 14 and quickly became interested in MMA. Coenen developed rapidly and made her professional MMA debut in 2000, at just 19 years old. Her strong grappling skills and talent for submissions quickly brought her success in the early days of women’s MMA.

Breakthrough in Strikeforce

Coenen achieved international recognition when she signed with Strikeforce in 2009, one of the most prestigious MMA organizations and a major supporter of women’s MMA. In 2010, she captured the Strikeforce Women’s Bantamweight Championship by defeating Sarah Kaufman via armbar submission in the third round, securing her place at the top of women’s MMA.

One of the highlights of Coenen’s career was her 2010 fight against Brazilian legend Cris Cyborg for the Strikeforce Featherweight title. Although she lost to Cyborg, Coenen was praised for her fighting spirit and technical ability against one of the most feared fighters in the sport.

Success in Bellator

After her time with Strikeforce, Coenen moved to Bellator MMA, where she competed in the featherweight division. She continued to perform at a high level and fought for the inaugural Bellator Women’s Featherweight Championship in 2017, where she lost to Julia Budd. Despite the defeat, Coenen was still considered one of the elite fighters in her weight class and an influential figure in the sport.

Style and Technique

Marloes Coenen is known for her exceptional BJJ (Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu) and grappling skills. Her technical ability on the ground, combined with her ability to create submission opportunities, made her one of the most dangerous ground fighters in women’s MMA. Coenen has multiple submission victories to her name, particularly by armbar and triangle choke.

Although she is best known for her ground game, Coenen also developed strong stand-up skills and was a well-rounded fighter capable of dominating fights both standing and on the ground. Her fight intelligence and adaptability made her a formidable opponent for any fighter in the sport.

Legacy and Influence

Marloes Coenen is one of the pioneers of women’s MMA and has had an enormous influence on the growth and acceptance of the sport for women. Her success at the highest level and her contributions to the sport have made her a role model for female fighters around the world. She paved the way for a new generation of fighters and helped put women’s MMA on the map globally.

After retiring in 2017, Coenen remained involved in the martial arts community as a coach and mentor, passing her knowledge and experience on to up-and-coming fighters.

Conclusion

Marloes Coenen is one of the greatest female MMA fighters of all time and a pioneer of women’s MMA. Her impressive career, marked by world titles and legendary fights, has earned her a lasting legacy in the sport. Coenen remains an inspirational figure for female fighters everywhere, and her contributions to the development of women’s MMA will live on for years to come.