Coming off a nearly two-year layoff, featherweight Pam Sorenson was looking have a solid comeback fight when she faced Roberta Paim Samad at Bellator 264 this past August.
While Sorenson didn’t quite get the win the way she had hoped, picking up a split-decision victory over Samad helped give Sorenson back-to-back victories and a good starting off point for her return.
“I thought things went well,” Sorenson told MMAWeekly.com. “I came out with a win. It was a lot closer than I was comfortable with, but it had been two years since I’d been in the cage, so I knocked some of the ring rust off, and come (the next fight) I’ll be a better fighter without the cage rust.”
Sorenson admits it took a little bit for her to get back into full fight mode, but once she did she feels like she did more than enough to come out on top.
“I feel like in between rounds it kind of clicked,” said Sorenson. “After the first round I thought I remembered how this goes, and then after the second I thought I know what I’m doing now.
“I thought I clearly won two rounds. I thought I did more damage. I thought that I landed more strikes. But I was looking at from the camera’s view, which sees everything, and the judge only sees it from one angle, so judges are never going to be perfect.”
This Friday in Hollywood, Florida, Sorenson (9-3) will look to add to her winning streak when she faces Arlene Blencowe (14-8) in a 145-pound main card bout at Bellator 271.
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“I’m really excited about this match-up,” Sorenson said. “I think (Blencowe’s) an exciting fighter, she’s tough, and I think stylistically we match up well. I think it’s going to be a really exciting fight.”
Though Sorenson has her sights set on Blencowe, she admittedly does think about where a victory on Friday night could lead her in 2022.
“I would say most of my focus is on this fight, but it’s always in the back in my head that she’s currently the #1 contender, so if I get past her, and especially if I’m able to do decisively, that will absolutely throw my name in the hat to be the next title challenger,” said Sorenson.
“My main focus is on this next fight, but definitely it’s there that though (of what could happen next year).”