Bellator Hopes to Book Juliana Velasquez-Liz Carmouche Flyweight Title in April

Juliana Velasquez’s next flyweight title defense will likely take place in the spring, according to Bellator president Scott Coker.

Velasquez is targeted to face former UFC 135- and 125-pound title challenger Liz Carmouche at an as yet to be announced Bellator MMA event. The exact date is tentative, but Coker told MMAjunkie.com in a recent interview that the if all goes as planned, Velasquez vs. Carmouche will happen by April.

“I believe that fight will happen in April,” Coker said. “I think that’s when we were told Velasquez would be ready to go so. As soon as she’s ready, we’ll get her back in there, but I think April is the date.

“All of our champions, the launch of the tournament, the finals of our light heavyweight tournament, the [Michael Page] fight, Juliana Velasquez, Cyborg – all these fights will happen let’s say between January and April. It’s kind of what we’re shooting for.”

Velasquez claimed 125-pound gold with a five-round verdict over Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in December 2020 and made her first defense this past July, as she took a split decision against Denise Kielholtz at Bellator 262. The 35-year-old Brazilian is 12-0 as a professional and 7-0 in Bellator MMA.

Carmouche exited the UFC on the heels of a five-round defeat in a flyweight title bout against Valentina Shevchenko in August 2019. Since then, “Girl-Rilla” has rattled off three straight triumphs in Bellator, the most recent of which came via 35-second TKO against Kana Watanabe in June.