Former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche signs with Bellator

Former two-time UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche has joined the Bellator roster.

Company president Scott Coker on Friday revealed to MMA Junkie during a media scrum in Hawaii that Carmouche (13-7 MM, 0-0 BMMA) has signed an exclusive contract with Bellator following her release from the UFC this month.

A date and opponent for Carmouche’s debut have yet to be announced. However, Coker said a women’s flyweight tournament is potentially in the plans for 2020, and Carmouche would be a candidate to fit into the field.

“We’re continuing to grow out 125-pound weight class division,” Coker said. “Don’t be surprised next year if that is our female tournament. A bit of breaking news we just signed Liz Carmouche today. I had a meeting with her yesterday. We sat down, make a deal and she signed it this morning and we’ll announce it on the broadcast today. But Liz is singed. She will now be fighting in Bellator. It’s going to be another great asset to our 125-pound weight class.”

Carmouche, who fought for UFC titles at 125 and 135 pounds, had her nearly seven-year octagon tenure come to an unceremonious end. She was informed of her UFC release while doing promotional activities at UFC on ESPN 7 in Washington D.C.

After the news came out, Carmouche’s good friend and longtime training partner Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Bellator’s flyweight champion, told MMA Junkie she hopes Carmouche joins her under the Bellator banner.

Now she gets her wish.