Image credits: Bellator MMA
Bellator women’s flyweight champion, Liz Carmouche, remains unfazed as she prepares for her title defense. This isn't just any fight; she's going toe-to-toe with her good friend and former teammate, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, in the upcoming Bellator 300 main event at Pechanga Arena in San Diego. While the dynamic between close friendships and championship MMA fights might complicate things for some, Carmouche is confident it won't be an issue here.
Despite their impending battle in the ring, Carmouche (19-7 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) and Macfarlane (13-2 MMA, 12-2 BMMA) have managed to maintain their close-knit bond. "We're still friends," Carmouche shared in an interview with MMA Junkie Radio. Highlighting the strength of their bond, she recounted, “In her last fight camp, she needed a vehicle. I let her borrow my truck while I was away for the weekend. She even got hay from my wife. We've been sharing food videos and, despite our upcoming match, our friendship hasn’t changed."
While the two haven't trained together in recent years, they played significant roles in each other's fight camps for many years.
The camaraderie between Carmouche and Macfarlane is evident, but Carmouche is clear about their professional boundaries. “Facing her, I definitely don't want to hurt her. But we both have our goals, and I can't compromise my success and family,” she stated. Liz further reflected on their unique dynamic, "Although it feels strange, we've had so many opportunities to compete against each other. We've always agreed that we'd go harder against each other than anyone else. At the end, we know our hug will be genuine, showing gratitude for sharing the experience."
In addition to her notable MMA achievements, Liz Carmouche has a dedicated profile on MILLIONS.co. Fans can easily connect with her there to purchase exclusive merchandise, unique memorabilia, or even join her on live streams to get a closer insight into her life and preparations for such significant fights.
Reference: Original article from MMA Junkie