Jena Bishop can now call herself an MMA world champion, as she pulled off an incredible performance to defeat former Bellator champion Liz Carmouche to become PFL women’s flyweight champion in the main event of PFL Chicago.
Carmouche looked to pressure Bishop and take control of the action from the opening bell. Even when Bishop had her moments against the fence, Carmouche seemed to land the better and stronger strikes.
Carmouche landed a couple of right hands late in round one, rocking Bishop and nearly finishing the fight. Bishop, however, survived and even built herself back up to threaten a guillotine had time not expired.
Bishop appeared to take advantage of a tired Carmouche entering the second round, bringing her to the mat and raining down punches before losing position after an elbow to the back of the head. Carmouche later rocked Bishop with a right hand — only for Bishop to return fire and score a takedown. Both women looked for an armbar in the second round’s last minute, but neither could get it.
Bishop controlled the third round with her grappling, getting Carmouche to the ground and presenting a major opportunity. With about a minute left in the round, Bishop got to Carmouche’s back and threatened a choke, tightening her grip around Carmouche’s face and trying to find the submission. But Carmouche was able to survive.
A tired Bishop allowed Carmouche to slowly work her way back into the fight in the fourth, but she returned to her grappling in the final round. Bishop scored another takedown and returned to Carmouche’s back, threatening chokes three different times and dominating the round from there.
This was a rematch from last year’s PFL World Tournament final at women’s flyweight, which saw Carmouche finish Bishop.
Bishop has now won five of her last six fights, coming into tonight off a submission of Ariane Lipski at PFL San Diego in June.
Bishop will now make the first defense of the championship against Dakota Ditcheva, as announced by Dan Hardy in Bishop’s post-fight interview. It is unknown, but doubtful, that the title fight will take place before PFL rebrands to MVP MMA.
