2024 PFL 1: San Antonio Ceremonial Weigh-Ins at the Boeing Center at Tech Port in San Antonio, Texas, Wednesday, April 3, 2024. (Cooper Neill / PFL)
Liz Carmouche names the three reasons why she joined the 2024 PFL Tournament
When Bellator MMA and Professional Fighters League merged together, not everyone was kept between both promotions and some fighters had a decision to make. After capturing and later defending her Bellator MMA flyweight title, champion Liz Carmouche could’ve elected to look elsewhere or call it a career, but the rewards offered by the PFL season led her to joining the 2024 women’s flyweight tournament.
Speaking to MyMMANews.com ahead of her first fight in the 2024 PFL flyweight tournament, Carmouche listed the three reasons that she decided to join the PFL which included adding another title to her resume and the biggest paycheck she could earn to date. A pioneer in the beginning days of women fighting in the UFC when she fought Ronda Rousey for the inaugural women’s bantamweight title, Liz Carmouche continues to see growth in women’s MMA and wants to add that to her legacy as well.
After capturing gold in Bellator MMA, why did Liz Carmouche (@iamgirlrilla) decide to join the 2024 @PFLMMA season?
She listed the three reasons why ahead of her fight tonight in San Antonio:
Video courtesy of PFL MMA: pic.twitter.com/0YH6gqfajE
— Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) April 4, 2024
“It’s three things. It’s getting another belt, being able to hold two belts. One in one organization, one in another. Being able to get $1 million, let’s be honest for a female fighter, that’s the most we see in our career, ever. I definitely wanted to work for that and be able to get that. Also, it’s the unbiased ruleset [of PFL] it’s knowing the progression through the season is done the right way.”
Removing politics out of the equation is a big part of Carmouche’s motivation in the 2024 PFL season. There are plenty of new names for her to face and continue to cement her legacy against, but she would add that just focusing on the tournament format is super satisfying. Facing opponents based off of most recent wins and performances removes the popularity contests that have hindered plenty of female fighters throughout mixed martial arts.
With the PFL offering a no-nonsense opportunity to all of their fighters, Liz Carmouche acknowledges the growth but still sees room for more opportunity and growth in terms of the women side of mixed martial arts.
A pioneer herself, Liz Carmouche says she’s happy where women’s MMA has grown and evolved but still feel like there’s more for women to achieve in the sport.
Video courtesy of PFL MMA pic.twitter.com/hTvrDuZ4yj
— Mike Pendleton (@MP2310) April 4, 2024
“It’s awesome. I still feel like there’s so much growth for women’s MMA and we see that. Until we see more weight classes represented and less disparity between the weight classes, that means we still have growth. That’s exciting. Women keep proving over and over that we can step up to that challenge of growth and will exceed what you have set forth for us. But to see where I came from when very few gyms had women to now there are so many, and they’re showcasing all their talents in the fight, being on the main card, being the main event, that’s awesome. Being able to win $1 million, there’s just so many cool things that have happened in the short time that women’s MMA has started to grow.”
Looking to add to her resume, Carmouche will begin her quest to the PFL title when she faces familiar challenger Juliana Velasquez to begin the 2024 flyweight tournament. The action begins in San Antonio, Texas and despite calls for intriguing matchups, the veteran will look to take it one fight at a time in her quest to add to her legacy.
