In the Bellator 289 co-main event, newly crowned flyweight champion Liz Carmouche stepped into the cage to defend her title against former champion Juliana Velasquez. The two women first met in April at Bellator 278 where Carmouche took Velasquez’s title and her ‘O’ in what many considered to be a controversial stoppage. Velasquez had the opportunity to get the flyweight title back on Friday night as Bellator invaded the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.
Round 1
Liz Carmouche immediately came out aggressive, pressing Velasquez to the cage. Clinching against the fence, Carmouche broke out some classic foot stomps while holding position. Carmouche threw some knees to Velasquez’s thigh until the former champion is able to reverse the position. The two reversed position a few more times with little offense offered by either fighter. The referee separated the two, but Carmouche puts Velasquez right back against the fence and secured a takedown as the round comes to a close.
Round 2
Carmouche came out once again putting on the pressure and scored an early takedown, but Velasquez was able to get back to her feet. Carmouche holds Velasquez against the fence again, throwing knees that are nothing more than a minor nuisance to Velasquez. Velasquez reversed the position and landed some solid body shots before moving back to the center and separating. Carmouche shot for and secure a takedown, pinning Velasquez against the fence. Carmouche moved into mount trapping Velasquez’s arm and locking in an arm bar forcing Velasquez to tap out with just seconds remaining in the second round.
Official Result: Liz Carmouche def. Juliana Velasquez via submission (arm bar) at 4:24 of Round 2
Check Out Highlights From Liz Carmouche vs. Juliana Velasquez at Bellator 289 Below:
🦍 @IAmGirlRilla wasted no time in getting to work early in round 1️⃣.
Catch the lightweight world championship LIVE NOW on @SHOSports!#Bellator289 pic.twitter.com/gLeXFl50Yg
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 10, 2022
Rounding out round one with some action from the champ & the challenger.
Round two of @IAmGirlRilla 🆚 @JuVelasquezMMA for the lightweight strap is up next LIVE on @SHOSports!#Bellator289 pic.twitter.com/ec64nvRvsw
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 10, 2022
🤼♀️ @IAmGirlRilla answers the former champ's early strikes with a swift takedown!
Watch The #Bellator289 main card LIVE NOW on @SHOSports! pic.twitter.com/g6ZEF1N2mC
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) December 10, 2022
Zero controversy this time.
Liz Carmouche ran through Juliana Velasquez in the rematch #Bellator289 pic.twitter.com/4RgTvtbPZN— Kevin Thang (@Skip2MyJays) December 10, 2022
