“It was really cool fighting for Invicta. Shannon Knapp (Invicta FC CEO) really sacrificed a lot in taking a risk for us. After Strikforce closed we didn’t know what was going to happen with it,” Carmouche told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.

“We were in that weird limbo she started an organization for all women. Which is still the only one that exists right now. It was a cool atmosphere. There’s no ‘oh this is the man’s league’. This is all women. You’re connecting and sharing stories. There was no bickering, no animosity, no anything. It was a really, really fun environment, and I’m grateful that I got to experience it and be part of the first one too.”

Carmouche (22-7) said that she believes her fight against Santos is the real championship fight even with Jena Bishop and Dakota Ditcheva on the other side of the bracket.

“Taila is standing in the way of my next dream, and my next goal, and that’s the belt. I think that, in all honesty, she’s the toughest person that’s in this entire season. In this entire bracket on both sides,” she said.

“For me this is the true championship fight. To get through her is the most difficult one. I think whether it’s Bishop or Dakota (that is next), it really doesn’t matter. Those two are kind of a step down after facing Taila.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Liz Carmouche above. She takes on Taila Santos at PFL Nashville on Friday night.

The post Liz Carmouche Says Santos Fight Is The “True championship fight” appeared first on Cageside Press.

“I believe this is the event where we find out a lot about Dakota,” PFL told reporters including Cageside Press on Wednesday.

“I think she’s been having a little push from the promotion. If it’s warranted or not she’s going to have her chance to prove now. So far, from what I’ve seen on the footage and seen live, I don’t think she’s everything that they’re pushing her to be. Not yet at least.”

Santos (21-3) has a massive test in the form of Carmouche on Friday night, but she had no problem talking about Ditcheva and her fight against Jena Bishop.

“As far as who I think will win, styles makes fights, and I think Jena probably has what it takes maybe to finish Dakota. I’d rather face Dakota instead of Jena because we just fought,” Santos said.

“(I) think Jena wins it. (I’m) going to be cheering for Jena even thought (I) want to fight (Ditcheva).”

As far as Carmouche goes Santos feels pretty good about her chances. Having just got to PFL and being this close to winning a title is something she’s worked for her entire career.

“I think our styles match well. As long as I am able to impose my game I should be able to finish the win streak (for Carmouche),” she said.

“It’s a dream come true to be so close to the title. Just a culmination about my entire career. All those years since I was a little girl practicing and competing. It was all making me better towards getting to this place where I am right now.”

Watch the entire media day scrum with Taila Santos above. She takes on Liz Carmouche at PFL Nashville this Friday night.

The post Taila Santos Prefers To Face Ditcheva, But Picks Bishop To Win appeared first on Cageside Press.