Featured Image credit: Courtesy of Bellator MMA
Juliana Velasquez vs Liz Carmouche is set to headline Bellator 278. Women’s flyweight champion Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 Bellator) will defend her championship belt against former UFC title challenger Carmouche (16-7 MMA, 3-0 Bellator). The matchup was first reported by MMA Junkie.
Juliana Velasquez vs Liz Carmouche: The Resumes
Velasquez has an unblemished record in professional MMA. She won the title back in December 2020 by ending the long title reign of IIima – Lei Macfarlane by unanimous decision. Her first title defense took place at Bellator 262, where she defeated Denise Kleihotz by split decision.
Carmouche is currently riding a three-fight winning streak, with all of those wins coming in Bellator. Carmouche, a UFC alumnus, fought inside the Octagon from 2013 t0 2019 with her last fight being a loss to Valentina Shevchenko for the UFC women’s flyweight title. In her most recent fight, she defeated Kana Watanabe in 35 seconds via standing TKO. This will be her first title shot in Bellator.
Carmouche previously told MMASucka she believed a win over Watanabe would earn her a title shot. Ten months after the bout, and she’ll have her wish.
Bellator 278 is set to take place on Friday, April 22, in Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii, where the following night, Bellator 279 will happen. Man and women of military, veterans, frontline workers, and first responders are expected to be present in the crowd in great numbers.
The Bellator 278 lineup features the following bouts:
Juliana Velasquez vs Liz Carmouche – for Bellator women’s flyweight title
Enrique Barzola vs. Josh Hill Cee Jay
Hamilton vs. Jared Scoggins
