| Liz Carmouche | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Born | (1984-02-19)February 19, 1984 (age 41) Lafayette, Louisiana, U.S. |
| Other names | Girl-Rilla |
| Residence | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Height | 5 ft 6 in (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st) |
| Division | Bantamweight Flyweight |
| Reach | 66 in (168 cm)[1][2] |
| Fighting out of | San Diego, California, U.S. |
| Team | Team Hurricane Awesome |
| Trainer | Manolo Hernandez |
| Rank | Black belt in10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu[3] Yellow belt inAmerican Kenpo[4] |
| Years active | 2010–present |
| Mixed martial arts record | |
| Total | 31 |
| Wins | 23 |
| By knockout | 10 |
| By submission | 6 |
| By decision | 7 |
| Losses | 8 |
| By submission | 2 |
| By decision | 6 |
| Other information | |
| Mixed martial arts record fromSherdog | |
| Military career | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 2004–2009 |
| Battles / wars | War in Afghanistan Iraq War |
Liz Carmouche (born February 19, 1984) is an Americanmixed martial arts fighter currently signed to thePFL. She formerly competed inBellator MMA, where she was the lastBellator Women's Flyweight World Champion. Carmouche also competed for theUltimate Fighting Championship (UFC) in theWomen's Flyweight andWomen's Bantamweight divisions, being achampionship challenger for both divisions. At the time of her UFC departure, she was #4 in theUFC women's flyweight rankings.[5]
Carmouche competed in the first ever women'sMMA match in theUFC when she competed againstRonda Rousey for theUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship atUFC 157.[6] A two-time title challenger, Carmouche also challenged for theUFC Women's Flyweight Championship in August 2019 againstValentina Shevchenko. Carmouche was the first openly lesbian fighter in theUFC and was praised by company presidentDana White for coming out.[7]
Carmouche was born inLafayette, Louisiana, and grew up inOkinawa, Japan. She is ofLebanese,Irish andCajun French descent.[8][9] She went toOkinawa Christian School International in Japan graduating in the class of 2003.[10]
Prior to becoming a professional MMA fighter, Carmouche spent five years in theMarine Corps as an aviation electrician[11] during which she did three tours of duty in theMiddle East.[9][12] Her nickname is Girl-Rilla, earned from her muscular physique and strength that outperforms male counterparts.[13]She currently resides inSan Diego, California, and trains at San Diego Combat Academy. She is currently[when?] attendingSan Diego City College studying Kinesiology.[14]
Carmouche started her professional career in 2010, winning her first three fights via knockout or submission.[15]
On August 13, 2010, she made herStrikeforce debut atStrikeforce Challengers 10 in a reserve bout for their one-night Women's Welterweight tournament.[16] She defeatedColleen Schneider via unanimous decision after two rounds.[17]
Carmouche returned to the promotion at Strikeforce Challengers 12 on November 19, 2010,[18] where she defeatedJan Finney via TKO in the third round.[19][20]
On February 23, 2011, it was announced that number one title contenderMiesha Tate had suffered a knee injury and that Carmouche would step in on short notice to faceWomen's Bantamweight (135 lbs) championMarloes Coenen on March 5, 2011, atStrikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson.[21] Carmouche was defeated via triangle choke in the fourth round, after dominating two of the previous rounds.[22]
On July 22, 2011, Carmouche facedSarah Kaufman at Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III inLas Vegas,Nevada. She was defeated by unanimous decision.[23]
Carmouche was scheduled to return to Strikeforce to faceSara McMann atStrikeforce: Cormier vs. Mir on November 3, 2012,[24] but the event was cancelled.[25]
Carmouche faced Ashleigh Curry at Invicta Fighting Championships 1 on April 28, 2012.[26] She won the fight via TKO in the first round.[27]
Carmouche facedKaitlin Young at Invicta Fighting Championships 2 on July 28, 2012.[28] She won the fight via submission due to a rear-naked choke in the second round.[29]
It was announced at theUFC on Fox: Henderson vs. Diaz pre-fight press conference by UFC PresidentDana White that formerStrikeforce Women's Bantamweight ChampionRonda Rousey would be the very firstUFC Women's Bantamweight Champion. It was confirmed by White that Carmouche would be challenging Rousey for the Women's Bantamweight title atUFC 157. In the early part of the first round, Carmouche locked in a standing rear-naked choke/face crank on Rousey. However, Rousey escaped and eventually finished the fight by armbar with 11 seconds left in the first round.[30]
Carmouche was expected to faceMiesha Tate atUFC on Fox 8 on July 27, 2013.[31] However, Tate was pulled from the bout to participate as a coach on The Ultimate Fighter 18.[32] Carmouche instead faced promotional newcomerJéssica Andrade. She won the fight by TKO in round two, earning her first win inside the Octagon.[33][34]
In her third UFC fight, Carmouche facedAlexis Davis on November 6, 2013, atUFC Fight Night 31.[35] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[36][37]
Carmouche facedMiesha Tate in the co-main event atUFC on Fox 11.[38] She lost the back-and-forth fight via unanimous decision.
Carmouche facedLauren Murphy on April 4, 2015, atUFC Fight Night 63.[39] She won the fight by unanimous decision. However, 10 out of 13 media outlets scored the bout for Murphy, whilst 3 scored it for Carmouche.[40]
Carmouche facedKatlyn Chookagian on November 12, 2016, atUFC 205.[41] She won the fight via split decision.[42]
Carmouche facedAlexis Davis in a women's flyweight bout on December 9, 2017, atUFC Fight Night 123.[43] She lost the fight by split decision.[44]
Carmouche facedJennifer Maia on July 14, 2018, atUFC Fight Night 133.[45] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[46]
Carmouche facedLucie Pudilová on February 23, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 145.[47] She won the fight by unanimous decision.[48]
A rematch withValentina Shevchenko was scheduled on August 10, 2019, atUFC Fight Night 156 for theUFC Women's Flyweight Championship.[49] She lost the fight via unanimous decision.[50]
On December 6, 2019, it was announced that Carmouche had been released from the UFC despite signing a new contract after the failed title bid.[51][52]
On December 21, 2019, Carmouche was signed byBellator MMA.[53]
Carmouche was scheduled to make her debut at Bellator against Mandy Böhm on May 29, 2020, at Bellator 243 but the bout was cancelled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.[54] Carmouche made her promotional debut againstDeAnna Bennett atBellator 246 on September 12, 2020.[55] At the weigh-ins, Bennett missed weight, weighing in at 131.7 pounds. The bout proceeded as a catchweight and Carmouche was awarded a percentage of Bennett's purse. Carmouche won the bout via third round submission.[56]
Carmouche faced formerInvicta FC Flyweight World ChampionVanessa Porto on April 9, 2021, atBellator 256.[57] She won the bout via a unanimous decision.[58]
Carmouche facedKana Watanabe on June 25, 2021, atBellator 261.[59] She won the bout via TKO within 35 seconds of the first round.[60]
Carmouche faced undefeated flyweight champ,Juliana Velasquez for theBellator Women's Flyweight World Championship on April 22, 2022, atBellator 278.[61] She won the bout and the title via elbows from crucifix at the end of the fourth round.[62] Following the bout, Velasquez's team appealed the result on the grounds of refereeing error made by Mike Beltran, but the appeal was denied by the Hawaii State Boxing Commission.[63]
In a title rematch, Carmouche facedJuliana Velasquez again on December 9, 2022, atBellator 289.[64] She won the fight via an armbar submission in the second round.[65]
Carmouche defended her title in a rematch againstDeAnna Bennett on April 21, 2023, atBellator 294.[66] At the weigh-ins, Bennett weighed in at 126.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the title flyweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Bennett being fined 30% of her purse, which went to Carmouche. Carmouche also chose to keep the title on the line, meaning if she lost the fight, the title would have become vacant.[67] She won the fight by an arm-triangle choke submission in the fourth round.[68]
Carmouche defended her title againstformer championIlima-Lei Macfarlane on October 7, 2023, atBellator 300.[69] At the weigh-ins, Macfarlane came in at 126.6 lb (after coming in at 127.4 lb in her first attempt), 1.6 pounds over the women's flyweight limit for a title fight. The commission gave her an additional hour to cut weight, but Macfarlane came in at 128.2 lb. As a result, the bout proceeded at catchweight, with Carmouche again keeping the title on the line, meaning if she lost the fight, the title would become vacant.[70] Carmouche won the fight via leg kick TKO in the fifth round.[71]
Carmouche debuted with theProfessional Fighters League (PFL) atPFL 1 on April 4, 2024 and won the bout in a third bout againstJuliana Velasquez by unanimous decision.[72]
Carmouche facedKana Watanabe on June 13, 2024 atPFL 4.[73][74] She won the fight via armbar submission in the third round.[75][76]
Carmouche facedTaila Santos in the semi-finals of the2024 Women's Flyweight tournament atPFL 7 on August 2, 2024. At the weigh-ins, Carmouche missed weight by 1 pound, coming in at 127 pounds.[77] Carmouche lost the bout via unanimous decision.[78]
On February 18, 2025, the promotion officially revealed that Carmouche joined the2025 PFL Women's Flyweight Tournament.[79]
In the quarterfinal, Carmouche faced Ilara Joanne on April 11, 2025, atPFL 2.[80] She won the fight via technical knockout in round one.[81]
Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship (One time, current)[82]Carmouche isopenlylesbian, and has a son with her wife.[85][52] She has a tattoo on her left side representing theChinese zodiac symbol of her mother and sister.[86][87] Carmouche is the spokesperson for Medical Marijuana Inc. on thecannabidiol (CBD) therapeutic benefits for athletes.[88]
| 31 matches | 23 wins | 8 losses |
| By knockout | 10 | 0 |
| By submission | 6 | 2 |
| By decision | 7 | 6 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Win | 23–8 | Ilara Joanne | TKO (punches) | PFL 2 (2025) | April 11, 2025 | 1 | 2:25 | Orlando, Florida, United States | 2025 PFL Women's Flyweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 22–8 | Taila Santos | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 7 (2024) | August 2, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, United States | 2024 PFL Women's Flyweight Tournament Semifinal; Carmouche missed weight (127 lb). |
| Win | 22–7 | Kana Watanabe | Submission (armbar) | PFL 4 (2024) | June 13, 2024 | 3 | 4:52 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 21–7 | Juliana Velasquez | Decision (unanimous) | PFL 1 (2024) | April 4, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | San Antonio, Texas, United States | |
| Win | 20–7 | Ilima-Lei Macfarlane | TKO (leg kick) | Bellator 300 | October 7, 2023 | 5 | 0:17 | San Diego, California, United States | Defended theBellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. Macfarlane missed weight (126.6 lb) and was ineligible for the title. |
| Win | 19–7 | DeAnna Bennett | Submission (arm-triangle choke) | Bellator 294 | April 21, 2023 | 4 | 4:29 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Defended theBellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. Bennett missed weight (126.2 lb) and was ineligible to win the title. |
| Win | 18–7 | Juliana Velasquez | Submission (armbar) | Bellator 289 | December 9, 2022 | 2 | 4:24 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Defended theBellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 17–7 | Juliana Velasquez | TKO (elbows) | Bellator 278 | April 22, 2022 | 4 | 4:47 | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Won theBellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. |
| Win | 16–7 | Kana Watanabe | TKO (punches) | Bellator 261 | June 25, 2021 | 1 | 0:35 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 15–7 | Vanessa Porto | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 256 | April 9, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | |
| Win | 14–7 | DeAnna Bennett | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 246 | September 12, 2020 | 3 | 3:17 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Catchweight (131.7 lbs) bout; Bennett missed weight. |
| Loss | 13–7 | Valentina Shevchenko | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Shevchenko vs. Carmouche 2 | August 10, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Montevideo, Uruguay | For theUFC Women's Flyweight Championship. |
| Win | 13–6 | Lucie Pudilová | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Błachowicz vs. Santos | February 23, 2019 | 3 | 5:00 | Prague, Czech Republic | |
| Win | 12–6 | Jennifer Maia | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: dos Santos vs. Ivanov | July 14, 2018 | 3 | 5:00 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Loss | 11–6 | Alexis Davis | Decision (split) | UFC Fight Night: Swanson vs. Ortega | December 9, 2017 | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, United States | Flyweight debut. |
| Win | 11–5 | Katlyn Chookagian | Decision (split) | UFC 205 | November 12, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | New York City,New York, United States | |
| Win | 10–5 | Lauren Murphy | Decision (unanimous) | UFC Fight Night: Mendes vs. Lamas | April 4, 2015 | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, United States | |
| Loss | 9–5 | Miesha Tate | Decision (unanimous) | UFC on Fox: Werdum vs. Browne | April 19, 2014 | 3 | 5:00 | Orlando, Florida, United States | |
| Loss | 9–4 | Alexis Davis | Decision (unanimous) | UFC: Fight for the Troops 3 | November 6, 2013 | 3 | 5:00 | Fort Campbell,Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 9–3 | Jéssica Andrade | TKO (punches and elbows) | UFC on Fox: Johnson vs. Moraga | July 27, 2013 | 2 | 3:57 | Seattle, Washington, United States | |
| Loss | 8–3 | Ronda Rousey | Submission (armbar) | UFC 157 | February 23, 2013 | 1 | 4:49 | Anaheim, California, United States | For theUFC Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 8–2 | Kaitlin Young | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Invicta FC 2 | July 28, 2012 | 2 | 3:34 | Kansas City,Kansas, United States | |
| Win | 7–2 | Ashleigh Curry | TKO (punches) | Invicta FC 1 | April 28, 2012 | 1 | 1:58 | Kansas City,Kansas, United States | |
| Loss | 6–2 | Sarah Kaufman | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling 3 | July 22, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas,Nevada, United States | |
| Loss | 6–1 | Marloes Coenen | Submission (triangle choke) | Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson | March 5, 2011 | 4 | 1:29 | Columbus, Ohio, United States | For theStrikeforce Women's Bantamweight Championship. |
| Win | 6–0 | Jan Finney | TKO (punches) | Strikeforce Challengers: Wilcox vs. Ribeiro | November 19, 2010 | 3 | 1:30 | Jackson, Mississippi, United States | |
| Win | 5–0 | Valentina Shevchenko | TKO (doctor stoppage) | C3 Fights: Red River Rivalry | September 30, 2010 | 2 | 3:00 | Concho, Oklahoma, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | Colleen Schneider | Decision (unanimous) | Strikeforce Challengers: Riggs vs. Taylor | August 13, 2010 | 2 | 3:00 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Strikeforce Women's Bantamweight Tournament Reserve bout. |
| Win | 3–0 | Margarita de la Cruz Ramirez | TKO (doctor stoppage) | UWC Mexico 7 | June 26, 2010 | 2 | 5:00 | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Win | 2–0 | Aleena Albertson | Submission (armbar) | Native FC 5 | May 29, 2010 | 2 | 0:48 | Campo, California, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Trudie Ginn | TKO (body kick) | Independent Event | March 13, 2010 | 1 | 2:59 | Tijuana, Mexico | Bantamweight debut. |
| No | Event | Fight | Date | Venue | City | PPV buys |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1. | UFC 157 | Rousey vs. Carmouche | February 23, 2013 | Honda Center | Anaheim, California, United States | 450,000[90] |
| 2. | Bellator 278 | Velasquez vs. Carmouche | April 22, 2022 | Neal S. Blaisdell Center | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Not Disclosed[91] |
| 3. | Bellator 294 | Carmouche vs. Bennett 2 | April 21, 2023 | Neal S. Blaisdell Center | Honolulu, Hawaii, United States | Not Disclosed[92] |
