UFC vet Alexis Dufresne will make her Bellator debut against Australian standout Arelen Blencowe in Temecula, California May 15. The match was announced by the promotion Friday night.
Dufresne (5-2) lost back to back fights in the UFC after winning her first five. Unable to make 135, she could find better success at featherweight.
Blencowe (5-4) has won three straight including a notable win over InvictaFC fighter Faith Van Duin. She is the former WIBA and WBF welterweight boxing champion.
Bellator MMA continues to expand its featherweight roster with three new signees.
Among them, UFC vet Alexis Dufresne. Dufresne (5-2) has first round finishes in all of her wins. She lost decision in both her UFC bantamweight fights, but never made weight at 135. Going up to 145 should see her at a more competitive and healthy weight.
Like Dufresne, Brazilian Roberta Paim (4-0) has first round finishes in all of her wins. Three by TKO.
France’s Iony Razafiarison (2-0) rounds out the new signees. The ground specialist has returned to MMA after a two year absence with a decision win this past January.
No word on when the fighters will be making their official Bellator debuts.
After her announcement several weeks ago, Marion Reneau finally has a date and opponent for her UFC debut.
Reneau will take on Alexis Dufresne at UFC 82 in Las Vegas, NV January 3rd.
Reneau (4-1) has finished three straight opponents in the first round and has yet to be finished. Dufresne (5-1) lost for the first time in her UFC debut against Sarah Moras. She has finished in all her wins.
The match will kick off the card on UFC Fight Pass.