Six months abroad and two massive fight wins later, local Bellator star Arlene Blencowe is finally home.
The 38-year-old Jordan Springs mother of two arrived back in the country on Monday morning, greeted by her loving partner Dion and son Keane at Sydney Airport.
Less than 48 hours earlier in Hollywood, Florida, Blencowe was in the cage going toe to toe with American Pam Sorenson in their Featherweight bout at Bellator 271.
Despite some attempts by Sorenson to take Blencowe down late in the second round, the proud Penrith local completely dominated the majority of the three-round battle, winning the fight by unanimous decision.
Speaking after her victory against the 35-year-old Minnesotan, Blencowe said she was pleased to end the year on a high and was looking forward to returning home.
“It wasn’t the performance we trained for or I was hoping for but, at the end of the day, I walked away with the win,” she said.
“I’m two from two this year and heading home tomorrow, so I’m all smiles.”
In between her two bouts – the first in July and the second last weekend – Blencowe spent the past six months living in Albuquerque, New Mexico, and training out of the prestigious Jackson Wink MMA Academy.
Blencowe said she’s excited to reunite with her family and friends before slowly returning to the gym and preparing for a big 2022.
“I haven’t been home for six months. I haven’t seen my kids, my partner, my family, my friends. I’m going to go home and enjoy the rest of the year, enjoy Christmas and then come back fresh and take on whoever is put in front of me,” she said.
The rest and rehabilitation might do Blencowe the world of good. Just hours after defeating Sorenson in style, Blencowe revealed on social media that she’d been dealing with a troublesome left leg injury and was reliant on crutches.
“I probably should’ve pulled out of this fight,” Blencowe admitted.
“Going into it with an injury, a fight camp that was compromised and risking my number one ranking… not the smartest move. But I backed myself.”
Nathan Taylor
Nathan Taylor is the Weekender's Deputy Editor and Senior Sports Writer. He also compiles the weekly Chatter on the Box TV column. Nathan is an award-winning journalist, who has worked at the Weekender for a decade.