Look Out, Cris Cyborg: Marloes Coenen Beats Roxanne Modafferi

HOFFMAN ESTATES, Ill. -- Strikeforce has its next female MMA star: Marloes Coenen.

Coenen, a 145-pound submission whiz from the Netherlands, needed just 65 seconds to get Roxanne Modaferri to tap with an arm bar Saturday night on the undercard of the Fedor vs. Rogers show, and in that 65 seconds she showed everything a star needs: Presence, poise and the ability to dominate an opponent in the cage. It doesn't hurt that Coenen is a beautiful woman, but that's just an added bonus. The important part is that she can fight.
How well can she fight? Well enough that I believe the 28-year-old Coenen should get Strikeforce 145-pound women's champion Cris Cyborg in her next fight. Although Cyborg is stronger and a better striker, I would give Coenen a real chance of beating her, especially if she can get the fight to the ground.

Modafferi, who beat Coenen by split decision in 2007, is smaller than Coenen and never really looked like she was on Coenen's level as a fighter. Modaferri told me this week that her mom was in tears at the thought that she could face Cyborg next, and it's safe to say that Mrs. Modaferri need not worry. Strikeforce should keep Modafferi around, but at her natural weight class of 135 pounds. She's too small for Cyborg, Coenen or any other high-quality fighter at 145.

But Coenen can compete with anyone in her weight class. No matter what happens with Gina Carano in the future, women's MMA is flourishing, and Coenen should break out in 2010.

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Fedor Makes Smashing Strikeforce Debut

Fedor Emelianenko connects with a punch against Brett Rogers at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Strikeforce Fedor Photos

Fedor Emelianenko makes his way to the cage at his Strikeforce debut on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Brett Rogers makes his way to the cage at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Fedor Emelianenko and Brett Rogers grapple on the cage at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Fedor Emelianenko punches Brett Rogers in the head at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Fedor Emelianenko of Russia, right, fights Brett Rogers in the second round of the Heavyweight Main Event Strike Force Mixed Martial Arts match at The Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Il. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009.

Paul Beaty, AP

Fedor Emelianenko of Russia, top, fights Brett Rogers in the second round of the Heavyweight Main Event StrikeForce Mixed Martial Arts match at The Sears Centre Arena in Hoffman Estates, Ill. Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009. Emelianenko stopped Brett Rogers in the second round in a Strikeforce M-1 Global heavyweight bout.

Paul Beaty, AP

Fedor Emelianenko attempts a submission against Brett Rogers at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Fedor Emelianenko connects with a punch against Brett Rogers at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce

Fedor Emelianenko winds up for another punch against Brett Rogers at the Strikeforce event on Saturday, Nov. 7, 2009 in Hoffman Estates, Illinois.

Esther Lin, Strikeforce