Liz Carmouche wasted no time making her statement for a title shot at Bellator 261.
Not only did Carmouche (16-7 MMA, 3-0 BMMA) take the unbeaten record from Kana Watanabe (10-1-1 MMA, 2-1 BMMA), but she did it in a mere 35 seconds, finishing the women’s flyweight co-headliner by knockout at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn.
The former UFC title challenger came out of the gate on fire. She pressured Watanabe and hurt her with a big right hand, forcing the Japanese fighter to back up against the fence.
Carmouche was relentless once she had Watanabe in trouble, throwing a flurry of strikes and tagging her opponent over and over. Although Watanabe didn’t go down, the referee decided he’d seen enough and waved it off.
It was Carmouche’s intention to deliver a memorable performance, and she did just that with the fastest win of her career. Now she wants the winner of the next title fight between Juliana Velasquez and Denise Kielholtz on July 17.
“I wanted that finish. I want that belt and I know tonight I needed to put on a strong finish,” Carmouche said in her post-fight interview with John McCarthy. “I wanted her, when she looks back at that loss on her record, she remembers me and a hard finish.”
The latest Bellator 261 results include:
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Liz Carmouche def. Kana Watanabe via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:35
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Sidney Outlaw def. Myles Jury via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 3, 4:44
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Daniel Weichel def. Keoni Diggs via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 30-27)
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Christian Edwards def. Simon Biyong via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
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John De Jesus def. John Teixeira via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
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Taylor Johnson def. Lance Wright via submission (rear-naked choke) – Round 1, 2:58
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Jaylon Bates def. Cody Matthews via submission (armbar) – Round 2, 4:04
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Corey Samuels def. Isaiah Hokit via knockout (punches) – Round 1, 0:10
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Soren Bak def. Bobby Lee via unanimous decision (30-26, 29-27, 29-27)