TUF 26 veteran DeAnna Bennett looks to take advantage of a huge opportunity Saturday as she battles former UFC title challenger Liz Carmouche in her Bellator debut. The 35-year-old didn’t think Bellator was on her radar after competing five times for Invicta FC.
“I was talking to Shannon (Knapp) about trying to get back on another Invicta card,” Bennett told Cageside Press. “And my manager called up and was just alright, September, Bellator, Liz Carmouche. I was like, all right, well I’m not gonna complain about that. That’s great. I signed a multi-fight deal with Bellator. So that’s my new home. That’s where I’m going to be fighting at and I’m excited.”
Bennett (10-6-1) last competed in the Invicta FC: Phoenix Series 2 tournament where she lost by third-round submission to newly signed UFC flyweight Miranda Maverick. Since leaving the UFC in 2018, the Killer B Combat Sports product has gone 2-3, but also picked up two exhibition wins for Invicta during the tournament.
Carmouche (13-7) will be competing for the first time since August 2019 where she lost by decision to UFC flyweight champion Valentina Shevchenko at UFC Uruguay. The 36-year-old will look to avoid two-straight losses for the first time since 2014.
“Vitamin D” split time between training back home in Utah with UFC welterweight Court McGee and in New Jersey at Killer B Combat Sports. Bennett isn’t expecting a quick finish, but rather a three-round battle as Carmouche hasn’t been finished in a fight since February 2013.
“It’s gonna be a war definitely because she’s not somebody that goes down easily,” Bennett explained. “I’m not going in there to just play around. I think it’s going to be an excellent fight. I know in the end my hand is gonna get raised and beyond that it just depends on what kind of fighter she is on fight day and depends on what kind of fighter I am on fight day. I’m looking for a finish. I got to finish in that tournament last year and it felt really good. I’m not in there to fight to not lose, I’m in there to fight to win.”
Bellator 246 takes place Saturday at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. Undefeated Patchy Mix battles Juan Archuleta in the main event for the vacant bantamweight title.
