Photo: BELLATOR MMA/LUCAS NOONAN
Carmouche vs. Macfarlane Ferocious Familiarity
Flyweight champion Liz Carmouche and former champ, Ilima-lei Macfarlane will square off as the opening championship bout on the SHOWTIME broadcast of Bellator 300. The two competitors have a long history with each other in the sport from their early beginnings, through their title runs that have led them to face one another at Bellator 300. The idea of friends fighting is always hard to believe for the casual fan but for Carmouche and Macfarlane, it’s just how things go in the sport.
The subject came up often at the press conference on Wednesday, both women were respectful of each other’s skill and accolades in the sport. Macfarlane recollected that when she first signed up to begin her martial arts training, Carmouche was the one who handled the paperwork for her. That’s how their history started, in the same gym, they’ve both been champions in the same sport and now they face one another for the Bellator MMA flyweight title.
Having their relationship known, it’s easy for fans to think they may be in store for a light sparring match among friends, but that definitely will not be the case.
Macfarlane told the media, “ I’m not sure if we’ve gone super 100% before, but that’s what makes it fun and exciting and something to really look forward to. Feeling each other’s true power.”
The champ, Carmouche agreed and added, “We’ve certainly really hit each other pretty close to going as hard as we can, but there’s always holding back. It’s not a fight when we’re in the gym. As much as you want to prepare somebody in the gym, the last thing you want to do is injure somebody in anticipation of a fight. You have to hold back. But, of all the people, we’ve gone harder with each other than anyone else in there.”
There’s no ill will, no bad blood but both women expect to bring the best of, and out of each other on the match-up Saturday night and it should make for a great opening championship bout for Bellator 300.
Originally, four title fights were going to be featured as the main card but the heavyweight championship bout was canceled due to challenger Linton Vassell pulling out of the event due to an undisclosed illness according to MMA Junkie.
Bellator 300 prelims will air on their YouTube channel at 6:30 PM ET/ 3:30 PT with the main card of three title fights on SHOWTIME at 10 PM ET/ PT.
