Bellator makes changes and Brings back the Women
As was expected with the new powers in control of Bellator MMA, changes that will become effective now an starting in 2015 for the California based, Viacom owned, Spike TV televised promotion.
Effective immediately is that the women are back in Bellator. Bellator previously had a Strawweight champion (Zoila Frausto- Gurgule) and also showcased Flyweight and Bantamweight feature fights, before getting out of the WMMA game in 2013.
With bringing back the women comes the signings of Strikeforce and Invicta FC vets Featherweights Juila Budd (6-2) and Marloes Coenen (21-6). Canada’s Budd has won 4 fights in a row, coming off a Invicta FC 7 unanimous decision win over Charmaine Tweet. Coenen a former Strikeforce champion with 15 submission wins and is the winner of 4 of her last 6, coming off a TKO loss to “Cyborg” in the inaugural Invicta Featherweight title bout. A Coenen vs. Budd match-up is likley, but not official.
New Bellator President Scott Croker has also announced that in the upcoming season 11, will not feature tournaments. I 2015 Bellator will put on a total of 16 events with one per month and 4 major events planned; all event will be televised on Spike TV.
The option for future tournament to take place does still exists. The door is also not closed on possibly adding a second Women’s weight class.