Liz Carmouche vs. Kana Watanabe co-headines Bellator 261 on June 25

A pivotal flyweight clash will take place later this month at Bellator 261.

Liz Carmouche is set to meet Kana Watanabe in the co-main event on June 25 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on Showtime after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Bellator officials confirmed the matchup after an initial report from The San Diego Union-Tribune.

Carmouche (15-7 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) is 2-0 since joining the Bellator roster. After submitting DeAnna Bennett in her promotional debut in September, the former two-time UFC title challenger defeated former Invicta FC flyweight champion Vanessa Porto by unanimous decision at Bellator 256. Carmouche spoke afterward about her title fight aspirations, but she’ll need to earn at least one more win to get there.

Having competed in Japan throughout her career, Watanabe (10-0-1 MMA, 2-0 BMMA) also has made good in her first two Bellator bouts. The unbeaten fighter scored a third-round stoppage win of Ilara Joanne at Bellator 237 followed by a split decision over Alejandra Lara at Bellator 255 in April.

With the addition, the Bellator 261 lineup includes:

• Timothy Johnson vs. Valentin Moldavsky – for the interim heavyweight title
• Liz Carmouche vs. Kana Watanabe
• Kyra Batara vs. Lena Ovchynnikova
• Isaiah Hokit vs. Aaron Hughes
• Myles Jury vs. Sidney Outlaw
• Keoni Diggs vs. Daniel Weichel
• Christian Edwards vs. Ben Parrish