Over a decade ago, when Liz Carmouche made history by facing Ronda Rousey in the first-ever women`s UFC fight, Ilara Joanne was just an 18-year-old Muay Thai practitioner in Fortaleza, Brazil. Now, their paths cross as Joanne prepares to step into the cage against the seasoned PFL and Bellator veteran, Carmouche.
The co-main event of PFL 2 on April 10 in Orlando, Florida, features Carmouche vs. Joanne, with both fighters aiming to advance in the 2025 flyweight tournament. For Joanne, competing for a substantial $500,000 prize is dreamlike, especially considering she earned under $200 for her first MMA win shortly after the Rousey-Carmouche fight. But facing “Girl-Rilla” herself feels even more incredible.
Joanne reflected on her early career, stating, “I had no idea how vast the MMA world was. I didn’t even know it was possible to earn money fighting in MMA. The realization hit me during my debut when I thought, ‘Wait, I’m getting paid for this?’ It was a true eye-opener. Watching the Rousey-Carmouche fight and then stepping into the cage myself, that`s when I truly understood my passion for the sport and saw it as a potential livelihood.”
Expressing her respect, Joanne said, “I am truly honored to fight her. I watched her initial fight with Ronda on television and never in my life imagined I would one day be facing this woman who has contributed so significantly to the sport on a global scale. Be assured, I am fully prepared to give my utmost and aim to make history by defeating her.”
Joanne began her martial arts journey training Muay Thai at age 10 and later became a fan of MMA, particularly following Cris Cyborg`s success. However, she didn`t seriously consider it a career path until she was offered her professional debut against future UFC fighter Viviane Pereira. Despite losing her first two bouts – one by second-round knockout and the second by submission months later – she found herself completely captivated by the sport.
Recovering from her initial losses, Joanne secured eight wins in her subsequent ten fights, earning a contract with Bellator. There, she joined teammates like Patricio Pitbull, Patricky Pitbull, Leandro Higo, and Matheus Mattos who were already established names. In her seven Bellator appearances, she earned three victories, defeating notable opponents such as Alejandra Lara, Bec Rawlings, and Denise Kielholtz. Now competing under the PFL banner, where she holds a 1-1 record from 2024, Joanne expressed enthusiasm for the promotion`s new tournament structure, favoring the traditional grand prix format over the previous point system.
Commenting on the rule changes, Joanne stated, “I really like the new rules. There isn`t the same pressure requiring a quick finish within a specific timeframe to advance.” She added, “This could definitely benefit me, allowing the fight to potentially go into the later rounds. I am fully prepared to fight for three rounds if necessary. The strategy might shift once the fight begins, but overall, this change feels very positive for my approach. You feel more relaxed and can simply focus on winning the fight.”
Liz Carmouche had an exceptional tenure in Bellator, achieving a perfect 7-0 record with six finishes, including three victories over former champion Juliana Velasquez. In her PFL debut, she secured a submission win against Kana Watanabe but subsequently lost a decision to Taila Santos. Carmouche is now focused on rebuilding momentum towards the championship.
Addressing Carmouche`s reputation, Joanne commented, “I believe most opponents she`s faced have been apprehensive of her grappling, but that`s my strength. I am not afraid of her grappling. While I feel prepared on the feet and have improved significantly since last year, I am perhaps even better prepared to grapple if the fight goes there.”
Murray Blackwood