Some experiences are once in a lifetime, but one time apparently isn't enough for Liz Carmouche. The pioneer of women's MMA steps into the PFL Smart Cage at Wintrust Arena in Chicago on Friday (11 p.m. ET, ESPN2; prelims at 6 p.m. on ESPN+) to fight for the newly created PFL women's flyweight belt against Jena Bishop, who holds a second chance after two straight wins. Carmouche has had gold in her sights many times before, winning the women's flyweight tournament last year in the PFL's final season under its tournament format, capturing the Bellator MMA flyweight title in 2022 and defending it three times, and competing for UFC titles in 2013 and 2019.
Carmouche (26-8) knows better than to dwell on her past with Bishop (11-3). She knocked out Bishop to win the PFL tournament in August 2025, but she has learned that opponents level up in rematches. Over a 16-year career spanning 34 fights, she has fought rematches with four women, including a trilogy fight with one of them. She is 4-1 in rematches, with wins over Juliana Velasquez, De Anna Bennett and Kana Watanabe, and her only rematch loss came against Valentina Shevchenko in 2019.
At 42 years old, Carmouche says she will keep fighting as long as she can, until her wife tells her it is time. She has won her past four fights. She also sees new opportunities ahead after the PFL's merger with Most Valuable Promotions, which will rebrand as MVP MMA in January. She hopes the change brings more female weight classes, saying women should not be limited to one or two body types. She envisions herself being part of that change even after she retires.
Source: ESPN General · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing