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In her first tile defense, Strikeforce 135 pound champ Marloes Coenen is ready to face last minute challenger and undefeated Liz Carmouche tonight in Columbus, OH, and on Showtime.

Carmouche (left) & Coenen (right) Courtesy Ester Lin/Strikeforce

At weigh-ins on Friday, Coenen weighted in at a solid 135 pounds, while Carmouche came in at 134 pounds.

“I’m always prepared and ready to go,” Coenen stated in the pre-fight press conference.  “This will be a very exciting fight.  Liz will come in very determined because of the opportunity she’s getting, but this is an important fight for me, too.”

“I need to stay humble because when you start to get cocky is when you’ll lose.  I’m comfortable, my weight is good.  I can fight at 135 and 145, but I feel a bit stronger at 135 pounds.’’

“She’s the best in the world,” Carmouche told Strikeforce.com. “She’s the title-holder, and she’s definitely earned that place. I think she’s a very talented woman, and a well-rounded fighter in every aspect of the game.”

“I think it’s going to be a head-to-head fight. I definitely see this going for the full time. So it’s either going to end in a decision, or I think I’m going to get a lucky blow in there, and I’m going to end in the fight.”

Strikeforce: Feijoa vs. Henderson is live tonight on Showtime. Action starts at 7 p.m. pacific. Coenen vs. Carmouche will be the co-main event of the evening. 

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