Many labels have been attached to Marloes Coenen throughout her career—pioneer, champion, warrior.

Although she readily identifies with those descriptors, the 35-year-old Dutch striker's blood boils when she hears one term loosely thrown around by media and fans alike: women's MMA.

Coenen is fighter through and through. She steps into the cage when it’s time to handle business, and the former Strikeforce titleholder gives every bit of what she has to offer in the process. As a result, Coenen doesn’t take to the “women’s MMA” angle all too kindly.

In fact, it downright pisses her off.

“It makes me angry when I hear people talk about WMMA or anything like that because it’s disrespectful,” Coenen said. “We are fighters and we’ve been competing for a long time. We’ve not only had to fight to prove we have skills and technique, but we’ve also had to fight for our respect. And when people label what we do like it’s something different than the men, it makes me pissed.

“Over the last few years, women in our sport have put on some of the best fights. All the hard work we’ve invested in becoming technical and skilled mixed martial artists is starting to pay off. That makes me very happy. I’m excited to see so many talented fighters in different organizations, and I think we are ready to show the world what we can do.”

When it comes to showing what she’s capable of inside the cage, Coenen has always been at the front of the charge for recognition. “Rumina’s” versatile skill set has earned her titles in various formats and disciplines during her time competing in combat sports, and she’s found success working behind an attack that is dangerous no matter where the fight goes.

Those attributes make Coenen a force to be reckoned with, and have helped her steer clear of the promotional pitfalls that ensnared some of her fellow fighters. In the past, the MMA had chosen to focus on entertainment angles over athleticism.

“I think there is a less of a double standard for women in MMA now, but it’s still there,” Coenen said. “There is a promotional side to the fight business, and there’s nothing wrong with showing how beautiful women athletes can be as long as you also emphasize how much we kick ass.

“Beyonce is a beautiful woman and a great singer, and now in her career all of that is highlighted because of how strong she is.”

Coenen will get her next opportunity to prove herself when she steps back into the cage this Friday night at Bellator 155. While she was originally slated to face fellow veteran Julia Budd for Bellator’s inaugural women’s featherweight crown, Budd suffered an injury and was replaced by Alexis Dufresne.

Although the change of opponent took the title opportunity off of the table, Coenen is still very much looking forward to scrapping it out with Dufresne as they will kick off the Spike TV portion of what should be a big event for the promotion she calls home.

“I have worked with Scott Coker in the past, and he’s a guy who really knows a lot about the sport and martial arts. He also puts fighters first and it’s great to fight for an organization who makes the fighters their main focus.

“I was really looking forward to fighting Julia Budd because I knew that would be a great fight for the fans. Unfortunately she got injured, but I’m so grateful Alexis stepped up and took her place. I was afraid I was not going to be able to fight, but now that we are all set to go, I’m very excited.”