Liz Carmouche

Born on February 19, 1984, in Lafayette, Louisiana, Liz Carmouche established herself as a pioneering figure in women’s mixed martial arts. Prior to her fighting career, she served five years in the United States Marine Corps as an aviation electrician, including three tours of duty in the Middle East. This military background contributed to her nickname, ‘Girl-Rilla,’ reflecting her physical and mental resilience. Her professional MMA career began in 2010, quickly securing three consecutive victories via knockout or submission, signaling her potential in the sport. Carmouche’s early career included fights in Strikeforce, where she fought for the Women’s Bantamweight Championship in 2011, and Invicta Fighting Championships, where she continued to build her professional record.

Carmouche made history in 2013 by competing in the first-ever women’s UFC fight against Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 157. She later challenged for the UFC Women’s Flyweight Championship in 2019. After her tenure in the UFC, she joined Bellator MMA, where she captured the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship in 2022. She successfully defended this title multiple times, showcasing her dominance in the flyweight division. Her career continued with the Professional Fighters League (PFL), where she won the 2025 PFL Women’s Flyweight Tournament, further cementing her legacy as a top-tier athlete.

Throughout her career, Carmouche has consistently competed at the highest levels of professional MMA, demonstrating technical skill in striking and grappling, with a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and a yellow belt in American Kenpo. She has faced and defeated numerous ranked opponents across various promotions, maintaining a strong presence in the flyweight division. Beyond her in-cage achievements, Carmouche is known as the first openly lesbian fighter in the UFC, earning recognition for her trailblazing role, and has also become a spokesperson for Medical Marijuana Inc., advocating for the therapeutic benefits of CBD for athletes.