Flyweight gold is on the line… well, sort of.
After missing weight, former champ Ilima Lei-Macfarlane is ineligible to win the Bellator Flyweight title against Liz Camouche. But, the show goes on with Carmouche accepting the fight as a risky title defense.
The title fight is one of three, going down at the historical Bellator 300 card from San Diego, California.
Round 1:
Macfarlane and Carmouche gauge their distance in the stand-up, not landing much of anything in the striking department. Macfarlane rushes in multiple times with Carmouche looking to counter. Macfarlane lands a right hand in one of her blitzes. Macfarlane continues to find a home for her right hand. Carmouche throws out a combo that doesn’t find its target. Carmouche lands a leg kick. Carmouche throws a front kick and attempts for a right hand but the bell rings first.
CDS: 10-9 Macfarlane
Round 2:
Carmouche starts to take the fight to Macfarlane, trying to slug it out in the pocket. Carmouche lands a leg kick. Macfarlane pumps out the right hand. Carmouche lands a 1-2. Macfarlane fires back with multiple 1-2’s but are blocked. Macfarlane lands up top with an un uppercut. Macfarlane eats a punch to the face from Carmouche. Carmouche swings big with haymakers but just misses. Macfarlane chops Carmouche with a leg kick.
CDS: 10-9 Carmouche
Round 3:
Macfarlane put hers foot on the gas. Macfarlane, off balance, falls down to the ground after a leg kick from Carmouche. Carmouche continues attacking the leg. Macfarlane lands up top with a punch and then goes for a takedown. Carmouche denies the takedown. Carmouche throws another leg kick. Both fighters are hesitant to strike in the final minutes of the third round.
Macfarlane eats multiple leg kicks from Carmouche. Carmouche throws a leg kick with Macfarlane attempting a takedown in return. Carmouche looks to put her in a guillotine choke before the end rounds.
CDS: 10-9 Carmouche
Round 4:
Carmouche and Macfarlane trade shots early on. Carmouche drops Macfarlane with a leg kick. Carmouche spams the leg kick to the calf of Macfarlane. Macfarlane spins around in pain after a heavy leg kick from Carmouche. Macfarlane’s lead leg seems to be compromised as she hops on her other leg. Carmouche picks at Macfarlane with even more kicks to the leg.
CDS: 10-9 Carmouche
Round 5:
Macfarlane presses forward and Carmouche counters with a brutal kick to the leg which sits down the former champ. Macfarlane, grounded, yells out in pain as the referee stops the contest. It’s ‘and still’ for Liz Carmouche.
Official result: Liz Carmouche defeats Ilima-Lei Macfarlane via TKO (leg kick) in Round 5 (0:17)
Check out the highlights below:
Some excellent strikes from @iamgirlrilla in the clinch! 👊#Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/G1XCzUiiUY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
Some excellent strikes from @iamgirlrilla in the clinch! 👊#Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/G1XCzUiiUY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
Big leg kick from @iamgirlrilla!#Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/LsDBLC5eFj
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
We're heading into the championship rounds!
Do you have @iamgirlrilla or @ilimanator winning on your scorecard? #Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/h3xdAYDYfY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
👀 @iamgirlrilla keeps attacking the lead leg of @ilimanator!#Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/14GVVe7ADY
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
Liz Carmouche finishes Ilima-Lei Macfarlane! #Bellator300 is LIVE on @showtime! pic.twitter.com/zTx8jDT15u
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) October 8, 2023
The kick which ended the fight 👀@iamgirlrilla is #AndStill flyweight world champion after a tremendous performance. #Bellator300 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/qY6paQVFE7
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) October 8, 2023
