In the final 24 hours leading up to the Bellator 294 main event rematch between Liz Carmouche and DeAnna Bennett, the story changed dramatically.
This is no longer just a rematch between two fighters who have not lost since their first encounter in 2020. With Bennett losing weight on Friday, Carmouche’s women’s flyweight title is no longer on the line, not really. Only Carmouche could walk away with the gold, otherwise the championship would be left vacant.
Perhaps with weight loss in mind, Carmouche came out hot as the fight got underway. But it was Bennett who managed to land a kick early in the opening round, a round that would show DeAnna came to the fight. Carmouche looked to trap the potential challenger in a triangle, but Bennett weathered that storm, sprinting free and sitting at half guard. She would spend the rest of the round there, going out with a clear lead after the first five minutes.
Round two saw Carmouche and Bennett spend a bit more time on his feet to start. While both ladies would get their licks, Carmouche might have had a slight advantage, especially with her high landing. But when the champion launched a takedown, Bennett would back off, making Carmouche pay. They’d spend some steady time there, and then get back on their feet. Carmouche landed several times throughout the round, mixing into a low sweep kick that drew a gasp from the crowd, but Bennett would chase and land again at the end of the round. A close tire, driving things either restricted, or maybe a 20-18 Bennett after two.
Bennett continued to stay active on her feet in the third, jumping and moving in stark contrast to Carmouche’s more measured pace. After 90 seconds, Bennett led the car into the takedown and, after a bit of resistance from the champ, went down. Bennett sat in front half guard, trying to keep things off the fence. Bennett would spend several minutes on top adding short punches and elbows, potentially claiming another frame.
As the championship rounds approached, the main question was whether Bennett, who wasn’t even qualified to win the title, was trying to shut down. At worst, she was two rounds ahead. Early in the fourth, Bennett went into a takedown, and Carmouche defended with a choke. However, Carmouche was not in position, and ended up squatting for part of the attempt, before adjusting her stance – only for Bennett to pull free. Carmouche defended a sustained takedown attempt with elbows, but Bennett stayed on the single leg attempt to no avail.
Carmouche, who had her best moments fighting up to that point, tied things up and was able to briefly grab Bennett’s arm. However, Bennett remained determined, completed the takedown briefly, and then had to fend off the kimura. In a struggle, Carmouche rose to the top! Bennett delivered her back, then rolled as Carmouche moved for the ride. One minute left on the clock in the fourth round, with Carmouche’s best moment in the fight. Then I closed a triangle arm choke, and suddenly, the scorecards didn’t matter – Carmouche got the tap!
A much closer fight than expected with Bennett putting in the best performance of her career through the opening three rounds, but it was Liz Carmouche with her arm raised at the end of the night.
Official result: defeat Liz Carmouche. DeAnna Bennett by submission (arm triangle choke), fourth round, 4:29