Two-Time UFC Title Challenger Liz Carmouche Released During Promotional Appearance

Liz Carmouche, who competed against Ronda Rousey in the very first female fight in UFC history, was released from the UFC yesterday, according to her manager Kyle Stoltz. Her last fight was for the women’s flyweight title back in August.

— Ariel Helwani (@arielhelwani) December 6, 2019

The Ultimate Fighting Championship has decided to say goodbye to a pioneer of its women's divisions.

According to ESPN on Friday, Liz Carmouche (13-7) has been handed her walking papers by the company. Carmouche was attending a UFC promotional event in Washington D.C. in anticipation of the UFC on ESPN 7 fight card this weekend. Her manager, Kyle Stoltz, stated that she was actually released the day before, but informed on Friday.

Carmouche is coming off of a flyweight title defeat to champ Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Fight Night 156, where she landed merely 18 significant strikes and went 0-4 in takedown attempts across their 25-minute encounter. She leaves the Las Vegas-based promotion with a record of 5-5 across the 125- and 135-pound divisions, including victories over names like Jessica Andrade and Katlyn Chookagian.

Involved in the first women's bout in UFC history, "Girl-Rilla" faced Ronda Rousey at UFC 157. She gave "Rowdy" all she could handle in their bantamweight battle, taking the back of her opponent and nearly cinching up a rear-naked choke. Rousey escaped and set up her patented armbar, forcing the tap at 4:49 of the opening frame and making history in the process.

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An honor to spend the day with the brave men and women who serve our country #UFCDC

A post shared by ufc (@ufc) on Dec 6, 2019 at 9:45am PST

On Friday, the organization posted on Instagram that it was "An honor to spend the day with the brave men and women who serve our country for us." Carmouche, a former Marine that worked as a helicopter electrician, spent almost two years stationed in Iraq. When she left the Marines, she went to college to seek out a degree in Kinesiology, before pursuing a path in MMA.