Liz Carmouche ended 2022 with a bang, defending her title at Bellator 289.
Carmouche, a former UFC title challenger, scored a submission victory vs. Juliana Velasquez in their rematch. The bout served as the co-main event live on Showtime.
“It felt great. My mindset is to walk into every fight thinking that I have to earn the belt,” she said. “Every fight, I have to train like I have to earn the right to have the belt.
“In all honesty, one of the things I’ve been working is crucifix from every position, so I could make it so not only will I finish you in the same position, I’ll dominate. But, I saw [the mounted armbar] was there, and I had to snap the arm and take it.”
Carmouche also reflected on her being the only current American champion in major MMA promotions.
“I didn’t even realize that was the case,” she said. “I’m probably the only Marine Corps veteran to hold a belt too, so that means a lot to me to represent my country.
“When I look at all the other 20-year-olds out there, they may have youth, but they’re doing it wrong. I’m ahead of the curve of everyone else. It’s mostly my mind over my body. I love the evolution of the sport. There’s always something new to learn; [fighting] is just an opportunity to test what I keep learning.”
