Matches to Make After Bellator 294
đ± đđĄđ đŠđ§đđđ@iamgirlrilla weathers the storm to submit @DeAnnaDBennett in Round 4ïžâŁ.#Bellator294 | LIVE NOW | @SHOsports pic.twitter.com/RbmtEeTskA
â Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 22, 2023
One of the other opponents she stopped during that run was DeAnna Bennett, who was challenging her again in the main event. Bennett has won three in a row since being tapped by Carmouche in Round 3 back in 2020, with unanimous decisions over Alejandra Lara and Justine Kish twice. Bennett missed weight and it may have helped, as she shockingly took Carmouche down repeatedly in the first three rounds, with only the second one being close. Yet, despite being down 1-2 or even 0-3 on the cards, Carmouche never gave up, showing the heart and will of a champion. When she got top position against Bennett in Round 4, she took full advantage, advancing through a series of dominant positions and finally finishing matters with an arm-triangle late in the frame.
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Here are several interesting Bellator matchups that come to mind after this event:
Liz Carmouche vs. Winner of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane-Kana Watanabe
This is obvious matchmaking, as MacFarlane-Watanabe is the co-main of Saturday's Bellator 295 event. The winner will be the clear choice to challenge Carmouche. On the one hand there is Watanabe, who Carmouche bludgeoned with punches back in 2021 in just 35 seconds, spoiling her undefeated record. However, Watanabe looked terrific and much improved in submitting Denise Kielholtz in the second round. With her getting better and Carmouche feeling her age at 39, a rematch may go very differently. As for MacFarlane, she was Bellator's first flyweight champion, with an impressive four title defenses, as well as a former training partner of Carmouche. This would be one of the biggest women's matches Bellator could make and would be a very worthy main event, especially if it also occurred in Hawaii.Danny Sabatello vs. Magomed Magomedov
Sabatello was the No. 5 ranked bantamweight prior to his victory and Magomedov is No. 4, coming off a loss to Patrick Mix. Not only is a showdown natural due to their rankings, but their styles complement one another well, as both are outstanding grapplers with endless cardio. And judging by how fun Sabatello's win against Breno was, another fellow grappler, this could be another treat for the fans.Levan Chokheli vs. Sabah Homasi
Chokheli is an excellent striker but has had trouble with skilled grapplers. After early losses earlier in his Bellator tenure to Kyle Crutchmer and Goiti Yamauchi, Chokheli may have turned the corner against Lombardo. Why not match the 26-year-old Chokheli, who is getting better and better, against another explosive striker who has some grappling ability in No. 10 ranked Sabah Homasi? Additionally, this will show if Chokheli has what it takes to climb the welterweight rankings, which may be Bellator's deepest division.
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