Bellator 278: Juliana Velasquez vs. Liz Carmouche live results and highlights
Bellator 278: Juliana Velasquez vs. Liz Carmouche live results and highlights.
For the first time since December 2019, Bellator returns to Hawaii for a pair of cards on back-to-back nights, including one that salutes first responders and the veterans of the United States military.
The return edition of this Bellator tradition includes both women’s titles in the promotion on the line. The first night, Bellator 278, will be topped by Juliana Velasquez defending the Bellator women’s flyweight title against Liz Carmouche.
Velasquez won the title in December 2020, defeating then-undefeated champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane at Bellator 254. She narrowly retained the title in July at Bellator 262 with a split decision win over Denise Kielholtz.
Since parting ways with the UFC following a failed title shot against their flyweight queen, Valentina Shevchenko, Carmouche is 3-0 in Bellator. She submitted DeAnna Bennett and scored a decision over Vanessa Porto before a dominant 35-second finish of Kana Watanabe at Bellator 261.
Bellator 278 will also feature Nikita Mikhailov vs. Enrique Barzola and Jornel Lugo vs. Danny Sabatello in a pair of Bantamweight Grand Prix Wild Card Qualifier bouts. The winners will earn spots in the tournament, which lost defending champion Sergio Pettis to injury and Josh Hill due to COVID.
Main Card (Showtime, 10 p.m. ET/7 p.m. PT)
Juliana Velasquez vs. Liz Carmouche
OFFICIAL RESULT: Liz Carmouche defeated Juliana Velasquez via TKO, Round 4, – 4:47 for the Bellator flyweight title
Highlights:
Your new flyweight champ is @IAmGirlRilla!
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Liz gets it done tonight with a hard-fought win at #Bellator278. pic.twitter.com/u7c4p4NK5V
Catch & Release
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
We are headed to the championship rounds in the #Bellator278 main event!
Tune in LIVE on @SHOSports to watch @JuVelasquezMMA vs. @IamGirlRilla. pic.twitter.com/z9gdSwQcpp
👀 The champ gets a takedown of her own.
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
We are LIVE on @SHOSports!#Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/8zuUClA5Je
🦵 Kickin' it old school.
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
We are LIVE on @SHOSports!#Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/MVnANLJcZ5
👊 @JuVelasquezMMA scores the 1️⃣st knockdown of the fight!
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Catch the #Bellator278 main event LIVE NOW on @SHOSports!
👀 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/LpZtLL7Pur
🤼♀️ The challenger changes levels. #Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/6KmQMbchJ0
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
💪 Big shot landed by the champ! #bellator278 pic.twitter.com/uvbCoipLoE
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
👊 Alot of action in the first round! #Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/penGErmmIe
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Nikita Mikhailov vs. Enrique Barzola
OFFICIAL RESULT: Enrique Barzola defeated Nikita Mikhailov via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Highlights:
THAT 👌CLOSE
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Enrique Barzola nearly had it locked in and Nikita Mikhailov managed to slip out.
This #BellatorBWGP matchup is 🔥 and you can see it LIVE NOW on @SHOSports.
📺 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/NhKyJhgETM
Jornel Lugo vs. Danny Sabatello
OFFICIAL RESULT: Danny Sabatello defeated Jornel Lugo via unanimous decision (30-26 x3)
Highlights:
This has been a fantastic begining for the #BellatorBWGP!
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Catch Lugo vs. Sabatello LIVE NOW on @SHOSports!
📺 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu#Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/zLnJ7Rp5cB
Jornel Lugo and Danny Sabatello exchange some words after round 1️⃣ 🗣️
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) April 23, 2022
Tune into the opening bout of #BWGP NOW on SHOWTIME#Bellator278 @BellatorMMA pic.twitter.com/DYSSKFWjtb
Danny Sabatello put in some serious work in round 1️⃣.
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Watch Sabatello vs. Lugo NOW on @SHOSports! #Bellator278 pic.twitter.com/ZYkr45W4z4
Christian Edwards vs. Grant Neal
OFFICIAL RESULT: Grant Neal defeated Christian Edwards via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
Highlights:
🤼♂️ If you're looking for lessons on takedowns, you might want to give @GrantNeal a call. 📞
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Catch #Bellator278 LIVE NOW on @SHOSports! pic.twitter.com/6DapOI07Pl
🤜💥 @GrantNeal is relentless but Christian Edwards weathers the storm. ⛈
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
The #Bellator278 main card is LIVE on @SHOSports!
📺 https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/72d16F0s54
These light heavyweights are putting on a show!
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
Round 2️⃣ of @GrantNeal vs. Christian Edwards is LIVE NOW on @SHOSports. ⬇️
▶️ https://t.co/TbKTQ7lKsu pic.twitter.com/4IIBLnu3HQ
Nate Andrews vs. Manny Muro
OFFICIAL RESULT: Manny Muro defeated Nate Andrews via split decision (29-28, 29-28, 28-29)
Highlights:
Preliminary Card (YouTube/PlutoTV, 8 p.m. ET/5 p.m. PT)
Weber Almeida vs. Fabricio Franco
OFFICIAL RESULT: Weber Almeida defeated Fabricio Franco via TKO, Round 1 – 3:01
Watch the confusing end to the fight right here
Highlights:
Dante Schiro vs. Scotty Hao
OFFICIAL RESULT: Dante Schiro defeated Scotty Hao via TKO, Round 3 – 1:03
Makoa Cooper vs. Blake Perry
OFFICIAL RESULT: Blake Perry defeated Makoa Cooper via submission (anaconda choke), Round 2 – 4:14
Highlights:
😱 What a comeback from Blake Perry! 💪
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) April 23, 2022
The @MonsterEnergy Prelims, fueled by @7ElevenHawaii, are live now on The Bellator YouTube Channel! 👇
▶️ https://t.co/874LPRdj4A pic.twitter.com/yaKKtEDLkU