Liz Carmouche vs. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: Preview, Where to Watch and Betting Odds

Friends and training partners go head-to-head for the women’s Flyweight world championship at Bellator 300. Champion Liz Carmouche dethroned Juliana Velasquez last year after joining the company from the UFC. Velasquez had originally won the title from Macfarlane in 2020. Carmouche is the bookies’ favorite ahead of the clash at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. Both fighters call San Diego home.

MMA: Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship

Venue: Pechanga Arena, San Diego, California

Where to watch: Showtime/ Paramount+

Date: 7.10.2023. 04.00

The former Marine Corps aviation electrician has been utterly dominant in the Bellator Flyweight class since she made a 2020 entry to the company. Riding a six-fight winning streak, the former UFC and Strikeforce fighter won the Bellator Flyweight title by finishing previously undefeated Julian Velasquez. Liz Carmouche left the UFC after a failed bid for the Flyweight title following a loss to Valentina Shevchenko. The 39-year-old is nicknamed “Girl-Rilla” because of her muscular physique and strength.

• Age: 39
• Height: 5’ 6”
• Weight: 125 Ibs
• Reach: 66”
• Record: 19-7

The 33-year-old Flyweight has indicated that her fight with Carmouche would be her last trip to the cage. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane scraped a split decision over Kana Watanabe last April at Bellator 295. The American was the inaugural women’s Flyweight world champion, winning the title via a fifth-round arm bar variation in 2017. She made four successful title defenses before losing the championship to Juliana Velasquez in 2020. Macfarlane is number five in the Bellator women’s pound-for-pound rankings.

• Age: 33
• Height: 5’ 4”
• Weight: 125 Ibs
• Reach: 66.5”
• Record: 13-2

Carmouche is a huge favorite to retain her title. Macfarlane is a 3.10 underdog on Bet365. Under 1.5 is priced at 3.65 odds on 1XBET, with 2.75 odds being the price for a bet against the bout getting to round four on Betwinner.