· Marloes Coenen vs. Cris “Cyborg” Projected For Late January
A title bout between current Strikeforce Women's Lightweight (145 pound) Champion Cristiane "Cyborg" Santos and recent Strikeforce signee Marloes "Rumina" Coenen is tentatively set for late January, according to the organization. The match was first suggested in comments made by Coenen following her victory over Roxanne Modafferi this weekend at "Strikeforce: Fedor vs. Rogers" at the Sears Centre in Chicago, Ill.
Coenen (17-3), originally scheduled to face Erin Toughill, defeated her replacement Roxanne Modafferi via submission (armbar) at 1:05 of the first round. The contest was the Strikeforce debut for both fighters, and served as the second meeting for the two women. The win for Coenen was a vindication for an earlier defeat that she suffered at the hands of Modafferi back in May of 2007. Coenen mentioned that long-term medical issues hampered her first performance.
In a post fight interview with AOL Fanhouse, Coenen indicated that she had spoken with Strikeforce founder and CEO Scott Coker about a prospective bout with Santos and that the projected date was for January 30 in Miami, Fla. Coker later confirmed the likely date, though he noted that "the location is to be determined."
Santos (9-1) last fought at "Strikeforce: Carano vs. Cyborg" on August 15 in Fresno, Calif. where she defeated the face of women's MMA, Gina "Conviction" Carano by technical knockout (punches) at 4:59 of the first round. The match held the distinction of being the first ever nationally televised women's MMA main event. Following the victory Coenen was suggested as a possible next opponent. The bout will constitute Santos' first title defense.
Chute Box Academy head trainer Rudimar Fedrigo stated in a previous conversation with Tatame.com that both Santos, and her male counterpart, husband Evangelista "Cyborg" Santos, will next compete on the same card some time in December.
