Liz Carmouche shocked many when she stopped Juliana Velasquez to win the flyweight crown at Bellator 278, but it did not come without controversy.
After four hotly contested rounds, Carmouche got the fight to the ground and trapped Velasquez near the corner in a crucifix and rained down elbows that forced referee Mike Beltran to call the bout at 4:47.
Your new flyweight champ is @IAmGirlRilla!
Liz gets it done tonight with a hard-fought win at #Bellator278. pic.twitter.com/u7c4p4NK5V
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
According to two judges scorecards, Velasquez was up 30-27 going into the fourth round. There was a lot of support for Velasquez online as well.
Juliana Velasquez was up 30-27 on two scorecards before that Mike Beltran stoppage. #Bellator278 https://t.co/kviWgS56Sc
— Shaheen Al-Shatti (@shaunalshatti) April 23, 2022
Mike Beltran should never be allowed to referee a fight again! First he took away my title and now he takes away Juliana's title. He should be held accountable! @BellatorMMA #Bellator278
— Patricio Pitbull (@PatricioPitbull) April 23, 2022
Velasquez and her corner immediately disputed the decision, but it goes into the books as a TKO stoppage for the former military veteran, who said afterwards that she agreed with Beltran’s call.
AND NEW 🏆@iamgirlrilla wins the @BellatorMMA flyweight belt with a 4th round TKO 👊#Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/tmDFO0ShMM
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) April 23, 2022
The win gave Carmouche her first major title victory at 38 years old. She said earlier in the preamble that training with former champion Ilima Lei-Macfarlane helped her tremndously and it appears she was correct. Now the ball is in Velasquez’s court to respond.
Kenai Andrews checks in with his thoughts on the main card.
In case you missed the prelims:
BLAKE PERRY DEF. MAKOA COOPER VIA SUBMISSION (ANACONDA CHOKE) R2 4:14
DANTE SCHIRO DEF. SCOTTY HAO VIA TKO (PUNCHES) R3 1:03
WEBER ALMEIDA DEF. FABRICIO FRANCO VIA TKO (LEG KICK) R1 3:01
MAIN CARD
LUIS MURO VS. NATE ANDREWS
Nate Andrews opened up on Manny Muro to close out round 2️⃣.
The 3️⃣rd and final round of the first #Bellator278 main card bout is LIVE NOW on @SHOSports.
📺 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/o3t7jAvOJu
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
WINNER: LUIS MURO VIA SD (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: NATE ANDREWS VIA UD
Andrews: This fight was a not much of a barnburner.
GRANT NEAL VS. CHRISTIAN EDWARDS
🤼♂️ If you're looking for lessons on takedowns, you might want to give @GrantNeal a call. 📞
Catch #Bellator278 LIVE NOW on @SHOSports! pic.twitter.com/6DapOI07Pl
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
WINNER: GRANT NEAL VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: GRANT NEAL VIA SUBMISSION
Andrews: Edwards had a 5-inch height advantage squandered yet again.
JOMEL LUGO VS. DANNY SABATELLO
Danny Sabatello comes away with a dominant win tonight at #Bellator278 and advances in the #BellatorBWGP!
Luckily, we had @JohnMcCarthyMMA on hand to keep track of The Italian Gangster's F 💣s.
We are LIVE on @SHOSports from The @BlaisdellCenter! pic.twitter.com/oCmFebPGJk
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
WINNER: DANNY SABATELLO VIA UD (30-26, 30-26, 30-26)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: JOMEL LUGO VIA UD
Andrews: Give Sabatello credit. He took care of business here.
Andrews Prediction: Jomel Lugo via UD
ENRIQUE BARZOLA VS. NIKITA MIKAHILOV
THAT 👌CLOSE
Enrique Barzola nearly had it locked in and Nikita Mikhailov managed to slip out.
This #BellatorBWGP matchup is 🔥 and you can see it LIVE NOW on @SHOSports.
📺 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/NhKyJhgETM
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
WINNER: ENRIQUE BARZOLA VIA UD (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
ANDREWS PREDICTION: ENRIQUE BARZOLA VIA UD
Andrews: Good win for Enrique.
MAIN EVENT
JULIANNA VELASQUEZ VS. LIZ CARMOUCHE
Your new flyweight champ is @IAmGirlRilla!
Liz gets it done tonight with a hard-fought win at #Bellator278. pic.twitter.com/u7c4p4NK5V
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Andrews: Carmouche says she has an advantage in training with former champion Iiima Lei-Macfarlane. It is indeed helpful, but it won’t be enough. Velasquez is a certified beast, and Camouche needs to be extremely prepared on the ground, which is where the fight will be won for Velasquez.
Andrews Prediction: Juliana Velasquez via UD
The next Bellator event is Bellator 279, which takes place tonight in Honolulu. Featherweight champion Cris Cyborg takes on challenger Arlene Blencowe in a rematch.
