Arlene Blencowe has signed the dotted line for her next fight with Bellator this time against WMMA veteran Julia Budd.
The Aussie is coming off a hard fought split decision victory over Gabrielle Holloway back in November last year and is 2-1 since signing with the promotion, her only loss coming to one of the best in the business – Marloes Coenen.
Blencowe’s opponent, Budd, is likewise at the top of the featherweight rankings, having only been defeated twice in her career and both times to former and current UFC champions, Ronda Rousey and Amanda Nunes.
This fight for Blencowe is a challenge in every sense of the word but one ‘Angerfist’ welcomes with open arms.
“I’ve based my career on wanting to fight the best. I consider Julia to be one of the best. The featherweight division is yet to have a champion crowned so hopefully after this fight a title shot will be announced,” Blencowe told Fight News Australia.
Budd was supposed to fight Coenen back in May this year for the inaugural featherweight title however had to pull out due to an injury. Coenen then went on to fight Alexis Dufresne and suffered a huge upset loss when she was submitted in the first round.
What this means for the ladies of the Bellator featherweight division is that it’s anyone’s game. Should Blencowe walk away with the biggest win of her career she may very well find herself on top of the pack vying for a title shot in 2017.
Bellator 162 takes place on October 21st in Memphis and will be headlined by former middleweight champion Alexander Shlemenko and TUF 3 winner Kendall Grove.
Card announced to date:
- Alexander Shlemenko vs Kendall Grove
- Bobby Lashley vs Josh Appelt
- Arlene Blencowe vs Julia Budd
