Bellator 246 results: Liz Carmouche finishes DeAnna Bennett in third

For a minute or two, there, it looked like DeAnna Bennettmight ruin Liz Carmouche’s Bellator debut.

Their flyweight main card bout at Bellator 246 on Saturday night seemed tied going into the third, and the underdog got off to a solid start in the third.

But just as soon as you thought there might be an upset, Carmouche (14-7 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) was the winner. A well-executed rear-naked choke finished things at the 3:17 mark of the final round as the pioneering former UFC and Strikeforce title challenger got off to solid start in her new promotion.

“I knew going into the third round I was getting the finish,” Carmouche said.  “I was convinced I was getting the finish, it wasn’t going to the decision tonight.”

Carmouche did her best to finish things in the opening round, as she scored a slam early in the round and attempted to get into position for a twister. Bennett (10-7-1 MMA, 0-1 BMMA) got back to her feet, but Carmouche was the aggressor and beat her foe to the punch for the bulk of the round.

In the second, though, it was Bennett’s turn to shine, as she scored a takedown and worked from top position. The veteran Carmouche managed to lock Bennett in a heel hook, but Bennett escaped and spent the rest of the round in top position, landing frequent strikes.

In the third, Bennett appeared to be going for broke, but she eventually gave Carmouche an opening on which she instantly seized. Bennett did her best to fight it off before finally tapping.

Carmouche’s third win in her past four fights was her fourth career submission victory. Bennett has lost three in a row, the past two via submission.

The flyweight fight was on the main card of Bellator 246, which took place Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Paramount and streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Up-to-the-minute Bellator 246 results:

• Liz Carmouche def. DeAnna Bennett via submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 3, 3:17
• Keoni Diggs def. Derek Campos via technical submission (rear-naked choke) — Round 3, 4:59
• Daniel Madrid def. Pat Casey via split decision (29-28, 27-30, 29-28)
• Ty Gwerder def. George Tokkos via TKO (strikes) — Round 3, 1:05
• Davion Franklin def. Ras Hylton via unanimous technical decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)