''Bellator 294: Carmouche vs. Bennett 2'' was a

mixed martial arts Mixed martial arts (MMA), sometimes referred to as cage fighting, no holds barred (NHB), and ultimate fighting, and originally referred to as Vale Tudo is a full-contact combat sport based on striking, grappling and ground fighting, inc ...

event produced by

Bellator MMA Bellator MMA (formerly Bellator Fighting Championships) is an American mixed martial arts promotion (entertainment), promotion founded in 2008 and based in Santa Monica, California, owned and operated as a subsidiary of television and media cong ...

that took place on April 21, 2023, at the

Neal S. Blaisdell Arena The Neal S. Blaisdell Center is a community center near downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. The complex has a multi-purpose arena, concert hall, exhibition hall, galleria, meeting rooms, Waikiki Shell and others. Constructed in 1964 on the historic Wa ...

Honolulu, Hawaii Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island o ...

, United States.

Background

The opening bout of a two-night doubleheader saw flyweight champion

Liz Carmouche Liz Carmouche (born February 19, 1984) is an American mixed martial arts fighter currently signed to Bellator MMA, where she is the current Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion. Carmouche competed for the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC ...

defending her title against

DeAnna Bennett DeAnna Danielle Bennett (born November 18, 1984) is an American mixed martial artist who competed in the Strawweight division in Invicta FC since 2014. As of December 13, 2022, she is #4 in the Bellator Women's Flyweight Rankings. Backgroun ...

on April 21 at the

Neal S. Blaisdell Center The Neal S. Blaisdell Center is a community center near downtown Honolulu, Hawaii. The complex has a multi-purpose arena, concert hall, exhibition hall, galleria, meeting rooms, Waikiki Shell and others. Constructed in 1964 on the historic Wa ...

Honolulu Honolulu (; ) is the capital and largest city of the U.S. state of Hawaii, which is in the Pacific Ocean. It is an unincorporated county seat of the consolidated City and County of Honolulu, situated along the southeast coast of the island ...

. Bennett and Carmouche previously squared off in September 2020, with Carmouche submitting Bennett in both fighters' Bellator debuts. Since losing to Carmouche in her promotional debut, Bennett hasn't had a defeat. The former contestant of "The Ultimate Fighter 26" has won three straight fights, including decisions over

Justine Kish Svetlana Nasibulina (born 13 April 1988), known professionally by her ring name Justine Kish, is an American mixed martial artist that competes in the Flyweight division of Bellator MMA. A professional since 2010, she has also competed in the Ult ...

in back-to-back bouts. Bellator 294 was dedicated for military and first responders meaning that there will be no tickets on sale to the general public. At the weigh-ins, Bennett weighed in at 126.2 pounds, 1.2 pounds over the title flyweight fight limit. The bout proceeded at catchweight with Bennett being fined 30% of his purse, which went to her opponent Carmouche. Carmouche also chose to keep the title on the line, meaning if she loses the fight, the title will become vacant. Likewise, Blake Smith (146.4 lbs) and Cris Lencioni (152.4 lbs) both missed weight for their bout, coming in .4 and 6.4 pounds over the non-title limits. The bout proceeded at catchweight and both were fined a percentage of their purses.

Results

References

{{2023 in mixed martial arts Sports competitions in Honolulu Bellator MMA events 2023 in mixed martial arts April 2023 sports events in the United States 2023 in sports in Hawaii Mixed martial arts in Hawaii 2020s in Honolulu

Background

Results

See also

References