Marloes Coenen Announces Retirement Following Loss in Bellator 174 Headliner

After 31 professional fights and a memorable career as a pioneer of women’s MMA, Marloes Coenen announced her retirement on Friday night.

Coenen revealed her decision in the cage after falling to Julia Budd via fourth-round technical knockout in the Bellator 174 main event at Winstar Casino in Thackerville, Okla. In victory, Budd claimed the promotion’s inaugural women’s featherweight title.

Coenen compiled a 23-8 record over the course of a career that began in 2000 and included stints in promotions such as Strikeforce, Dream, Invicta and Bellator, to name a few. The 35-year-old Netherlands native become the Strikeforce women’s bantamweight champion with a submission victory over Sarah Kaufman in October 2010.

“Rumina” notably fought Cristiane Justino, perhaps the most feared woman in mixed martial arts, twice, losing via technical knockout to the Brazilian striker on both occasions. While Coenen couldn’t best “Cyborg,” she did take victories over the likes of Liz Carmouche, Roxanne Modafferi, and Kaufman during her pro tenure.