Marloes Coenen

Marloes Coenen: Pioneer of Women's MMA

Marloes Coenen, born on March 31, 1981 in Olst, Netherlands, is one of the greatest pioneers in 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 her fighting intelligence, Coenen has achieved great success in organizations such as Strikeforce and Bellator, where she has 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 Early Career

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

Breakthrough in Strikeforce

Coenen made her international breakthrough in 2009 when she signed with Strikeforce, one of the most prestigious MMA organizations that strongly supports 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 fight against Brazilian legend Cris Cyborg in 2010 for the Strikeforce Featherweight title. Although she lost to Cyborg, Coenen was praised for her fighting spirit and technical prowess against one of the most feared fighters in the sport.

Success in Bellator

Following her time with Strikeforce, Coenen moved to Bellator MMA, where she competed in the featherweight division. She continued to perform at a high level, challenging for the inaugural Bellator Women's Featherweight Championship in 2017, where she lost to Julia Budd. Despite the loss, Coenen was still regarded as 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 prowess on the ground, combined with her ability to create opening submission opportunities, has made her one of the most dangerous ground fighters in women's MMA. Coenen has multiple submission victories to her name, most notably via armbar and triangle choke.

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

Legacy and Influence

Marloes Coenen is one of the founders of women's MMA and has had a tremendous impact 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 has paved the way for a new generation of fighters and has helped put women's MMA on the map worldwide.

After her retirement in 2017, Coenen remained involved in the combat sports community as a trainer and mentor, passing on her knowledge and experience 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 left a lasting legacy in the sport. Coenen remains an inspiration to female fighters everywhere, and her contributions to the development of women's MMA will live on for years to come.