Bellator president Scott Coker has confirmed that Liz Carmouche is next in line for a flyweight title shot.
Coker stated that former UFC title challenger Carmouche (16-7 MMA, 3-0 BMMA), who’s coming off a 35-second knockout of Kana Watanabe in June, is projected to challenge Bellator flyweight champion Juliana Velasquez (12-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA) in the first quarter of 2022.
“I believe that fight will happen in April,” Coker told MMA Junkie. “I think that’s when we were told Velasquez would be ready to go so. As soon as she’s ready, we’ll get her back in there, but I think April is the date.
“All of our champions, the launch of the tournament, the finals of our light heavyweight tournament, the (Michael Page) fight, Juliana Velasquez, Cyborg – all these fights will happen let’s say between January and April. It’s kind of what we’re shooting for.”
Following her title defense over Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262 in July, Velasquez said she expects to either defend her title against Carmouche or former champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, who she dethroned in December 2020.
Macfarlane hasn’t competed since losing her title to Velasquez and has been sidelined due to knee surgery. Coker provided an update on the former champion and is expecting her to return right around the time of the title fight between Velasquez and Carmouche.
“We have been talking to her,” Coker said. “She’s coming off a surgery so she’s just been recovering and rehabilitating, so she’s been going through a lot of treatment on her knee. I talked to her probably two, three weeks ago, she feels that she’ll be ready sometime in April or May.”
To see the full interview with Coker, check out the video below.
