Arlene Blencowe is hoping to get the first crack at newly minted Bellator women’s featherweight champion Cris Cyborg.
Following Cyborg’s (22-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) fourth-round TKO of Julia Budd at Bellator 238, company president Scott Coker said he’s leaving the door open for what his new champion wants next. Cyborg will have major influence in deciding her next move, but if she wants to fight MMA again soon and defend her title, he said a contender is waiting in the wings.
That contender is Blencowe (13-7 MMA, 6-3 BMMA), who Coker mentioned by name. He touted her experience of having the most appearances in Bellator women’s featherweight history, and Blencowe said she’s ready for the call.
“This is it,” Blencowe told MMA Junkie. “I’ve been looking at Cris Cyborg at the top of the featherweight rankings since I started fighting. She’s the fight I’ve always wanted. It’s the fight everyone should want, to fight the best.”
Blencowe has had a chance at Bellator gold once before. She suffered a split-decision loss to Budd at Bellator 189 in December 2017 but has put together a three-fight winning streak since.
The most recent victory, a unanimous decision over Leslie Smith at Bellator 233 in November, appears to have given Blencowe the push she needs to fight for that title once more. Now she hopes Cyborg and the Bellator brass will make it happen.
“My eyes are on that title,” Blencowe said. “I dropped the chance back in 2017, and I’ve worked my butt off to get back to having my chance again. This is it, all or nothing.”
