Uncasville, CT — “Really good. It’s been a long nine months. Been itching to get back in there,” Australia’s Arlene Blencowe told Cageside Press in an exclusive interview during the Bellator 262 media day. That’s how she’s feeling, finally getting back inside the cage at the Mohegan Sun Arena this Friday.
Despite it being a long nine months coming off an October 2020 title fight loss to Cris Cyborg, Blencowe has reason to be upbeat. “It’s been a big nine months of growth. Learning. Training hard. I went back to the drawing board. I do this every fight camp anyway, whether I win or lose. Go back and look at where you can improve.”
This time out, she spent a lot of hours on the mats, working on her jiu-jitsu, even picking up her blue belt in the process. Training was capped off by a two-month camp at Jackson-Wink MMA, “getting all my tools sharpened. Really, really keen just to showcase my work.”
Blencowe is up against Dayana Silva at Bellator 262, whose last three losses have been split decisions. That doesn’t change the game plan for Blencowe; rather, she has a finish in mind. “I did hear the other day that she hasn’t been stopped inside the cage, so challenge accepted,” the Australian said with a laugh. “I also have not been stopped inside the cage.”
“In an MMA fight, where ever it goes, it goes,” Blencowe added. “I’m ready for anything. At the end of the day, we just want to put on a good fight. There’s a crowd there, so yeah, put on an entertaining fight, obviously my hand gets raised.”
Throughout her Bellator tenure, Blencowe pointed out that she has only lost to three women: the now-retired Marloes Coenen, ex-champ Julia Budd, and current champ Cris Cyborg.
“They’re three names that I should not be ashamed to lose from. I faced some tough competition, and I hung with the best.” Now, Blencowe wants to prove that she’s better than that. “I’ll be bringing the best version of me.”
Watch the full Bellator 262 media day interview with Arlene Blencowe above. The event takes place Friday, July 16 at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, CT.
