Bellator 294: Liz Carmouche keeps title with comeback submission of DeAnna Bennett (Video)

Liz Carmouche
Liz Carmouche / Bellator MMA
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Liz Carmouche overcomes the grappling of DeAnna Bennett and submit her to retain women's flyweight title in the Bellator 294 main event.

Though it was not necessary to do so, Liz Carmouche chose to put her Bellator women's flyweight title on the line in the main event of Bellator 294 anyway.

And when she seemed to be behind on the scorecards against DeAnna Bennett, Carmouche delivered the finish.

Bennett was ineligible to win the championship due to missing weight for the title fight. Under the circumstances presented, however, a Carmouche loss would mean the Bellator women's flyweight championship would be vacated.

Carmouche came out on the front foot right away as the two traded blows. Carmouche threw a high kick and tried to use it to lead and lock Bennett in a triangle. Bennett got her head out and into top control as the two moved toward the cage. Carmouche attempted to get to Bennett's back but was unsuccessful doing so.

Bellator 294: No title vacated as Liz Carmourche gets fourth-round submission of DeAnna Bennett


Carmouche got back to her striking attack in the second round as the two traded in the center of the cage once again. Carmouche landed a hard outside shot but Bennett fired off a combo in return, only to be caught inside by Carmouche. About 90 seconds in, Carmouche went in for a takedown against the cage but was reversed by Bennett, who took control as Carmouche tried for a kimura. Bennett went for a choke, but Carmouche got back to her feet and got Bennett off her. Carmouche landed more effective strikes but Bennett managed to score another takedown.

The third round once again saw another 90 seconds of trading before a takedown attempt, but this time it came from Bennett. Bennett landed the takedown but Carmouche looked for a guillotine. Carmouche lost the position, however, and Bennett got back on top.

Carmouche struck Bennett with a kick to the body in the fourth, but Bennett answered by clinching Carmouche against the cage yet again. Carmouche looked to counter and put pressure on Bennett's neck for a choke, and she got to the point where Bennett had to fight both her and the cage.

Carmouche stayed on top and got to mount late in the round, attempting to get an arm triangle. Even with the participants against the cage, Carmouche maneuvered herself by putting her knee on Bennett's stomach and locking the choke in, getting Bennett to submit.

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Bellator 294: Liz Carmouche vs. DeAnna Bennett takes place on Friday, April 21, 2023, live from Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu, Hawaii. Follow along with FanSided MMA for all your news and highlights.