"Training camp has started; my trainer is back from Japan. Looking forward to fighting soon...When I was fighting in Japan, back in the day, I almost never knew who I was going to fight. There was no YouTube yet and that worked out fine. Because you can only depend on your own strength, it boosts your confidence. Now, knowing her [Meisha Tate] style, it is easier because you can analyze your opponent. But on the other hand, I don't focus too much on it because you have to play your own game," stated Strikeforce women's welterweight champion Marloes Coenen as she talked about her future plans, including upcoming showdown with top contender Miesha Tate. Check it out!
PC: How are you doing Marloes?
MC: Doing fine. Training camp has started; my trainer is back from Japan. Looking forward to fighting soon.
PC: Last year ended on a high note for you, defeating Sarah Kaufman for the title. What have you been doing since the win?
MC: I trained. I did take some rest due to a flu and fever, but that was good because it is hard for me to take a rest on time.
PC: Your teammate, Alistair Overeem, has also had an incredible year. Does he amaze you guys as much as he amazes me, or is it what you have come to expect from him?
MC: Of course. Alistair is leading the way at the moment. I am so proud of him. He really has become a legend by winning the K-1 title as an MMA fighter, but he also defended his Strikeforce belt this year and won the DREAM belt. Three world titles in one year. The whole Golden Glory team is proud. He inspires other fighters to transition to MMA, like Göhkan Saki for instance.
PC: What are some of the things you are doing to maintain a certain weight, Marloes, now that you are fighting at a lower weight class?
MC: Dieting! I don't like it because I am a foodie and a sugar addict, but after the fight, I didn't diet and I am at the exact weight my diet coaches want me to be. Dieting has started on January 1st again and eating the healthy stuff makes me feel good and energetic, so in the end, dieting is good for me. I feel better at this weight.
PC: As fighters, you will fight anyone placed in front of you, but it was pre-determined from the tournament that you would be fighting Miesha Tate. How much do you think knowing your opponent will benefit you for this fight?
MC: When I was fighting in Japan, back in the day, I almost never knew who I was going to fight. There was no YouTube yet and that worked out fine. Because you can only depend on your own strength, it boosts your confidence. Now, knowing her [Miesha Tate] style, it is easier because you can analyze your opponent. But on the other hand, I don't focus too much on it because you have to play your own game.
PC: So you are already training?
MC: Yeah. I train all year round pretty much.
PC: Miesha recently said she's hoping to get on the March card to fight you. Are you looking to get back in the cage around that time?
MC: That would be great.
PC: What are some of the goals you are setting for this year?
MC: I want to defend my title a few times, if possible, fighting in GLORY Extreme in Abu Dhabi, and I have, this Saturday, a tini-tiny small part in a movie called "Amsterdam Heavy". Gökhan Saki and Alistair and Sem are in another scene as well. More of that would be fun. Maybe I will move to the U.S. this year, if possible.
PC: I thank you for your time and I wish you the best of luck this year. Is there anything else you would like to add in closing?
MC: Happy 2011 to you, Percy, and all the readers on your site.
[ Follow Percy Crawford on Twitter @MrLouis1ana ]