Liz Carmouche poses with the Bellator flyweight belt. Photo: Reoproduction/Instagram
Featured in Bellator 300, Liz Carmouche acted strategically and retained the flyweight belt (up to 56,7kg.). In the fight that opened the preliminary card, at an event held this Saturday (7), in San Diego, the veteran made her experience count and massacred challenger Ilima-Lei Macfarlane. By taking advantage of an injury to her left leg suffered by her rival in the second round, the champion achieved victory via knockout in the last stage of the confrontation.
With the victory, Carmouche was successful in his second title defense. A former UFC representative, the 39-year-old fighter assumed the throne in 2022, when she beat the then title holder, Juliana Valasquez.
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The first flyweight champion in the history of Bellator, Macfarlane was in an atypical situation in the circular cage. After failing to make the required weight on the eve of the event, the Hawaiian would not be able to take the belt home, in case of a positive result.
Liz Carmouche show at Bellator 300
The fight began with Macfarlane taking the initiative with a jab. The champion circulated around the cage and looked for the best moment to attack. Carmouche adopted caution in the first minutes and made little investment against the challenger. With respect for her opponent's wrestling, Liz fought from a long distance. Ilima, she also avoided entering the opponent's range of action. The stage ended with the athletes facing each other in the center of the cage.
In the second round, the athletes returned to the confrontation more aggressively, after being reprimanded by the referee for their lack of combativeness in the first round. The champion was betting on long-range attacks, just like the challenger. The athletes were not forceful, and relied on specific blows. As the confrontation progressed, part of the public began to boo the fighters, who delivered a monotonous fight. In the final seconds, Liz started to combine kicks and punches and tried to intimidate her opponent.
The third round began with Macfarlane taking the initiative, with a jab and straight shot. Next, the challenger launched a kick at the champion's waistline, an action responded in kind by Carmouche. Still in the first minute, Ilima caught a kick from Liz and went to the canvas. The Hawaiian remained on her feet, but was limping around the circular cage. Liz started attacking her opponent's injured leg, which lost her balance again. Macfarlane got back to his feet, but was easy prey for his opponent's low kicks. Lei's discomfort in her left leg was evident, and the champion tried to take advantage of the situation. Even with visible discomfort, Macfarlane managed to close the distance and press Carmouche against the bars, but there was no more time.
In the fourth round, the advantage remained with Carmouche, who bet on counterattacks. Still in the first minute, Liz once again took her rival to the canvas with a low kick. Liz allowed her opponent to get up and continued undermining her opponent's left leg. With two minutes gone, the challenger no longer showed much mobility. Limping around the cage, the fighter suffered from her opponent's precise attacks.
In the opening seconds of the last round, Carmouche connected with a precise kick to his opponent's injured knee. Immediately, Macfarlane screamed and collapsed. Noticing the challenger's condition, the referee interrupted the confrontation.
Bellator 300 results
MAIN CARD
Light weight (up to 70,3kg): Usman Nurmagomedov defeated Brent Primus by unanimous decision of the judges (50-45, 50-45, 50-45) – fight for the belt and semi-final of the tournament
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Chris Cyborg derrotou Zingano cat by knockout at 4m01s of R1 – fight for the belt
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Liz Carmouche defeated Ilima-Lei Macfarlane by knockout 17 seconds into R5 - title fight
PRELIMINARY CARD
Bantamweight (up to 61,2kg): Bobby Seronio III defeated Alberto Garcia via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Leah McCourt defeated Sara McMann by technical knockout at 4m30s of R1
Lightweight (up to 70,3kg): Sergio Cossio submitted Jesse Roberts with a katagatame 4m05s into R3
Featherweight (up to 65,7kg): Kai Kamaka III defeated Henry Corrales via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Slim Trabelsi defeated Davion Franklin by technical submission (withdrawal) 3m09s into R1
Light heavyweight (up to 93kg): Dovletdzhan Yagshimuradov defeated Maciej Rozanski by unanimous decision (30-29, 29-28, 29-29)
Catchweight (up to 79,3kg): Mukhamed Berkhamov defeated Herman Terrado via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Average weight (up to 83,9kg): Grant Neal defeated Romero Cotton via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-29)
Flyweight (up to 56,7kg): Jena Bishop submitted Iilara Joanne with an armbar at 2m45s of R1
Heavyweight (up to 120,2kg): Josh Hokit submitted Spencer Smith with a katagatame at 3m48s of R3
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