The first of two Bellator events this weekend occurs on Friday from the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu with Bellator 278. The main event features Juliana Velasquez looking to make the second defense of her women's flyweight title as she takes on Liz Carmouche.
After defeating Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to win the 125-pound women's belt at Bellator 254 in December 2020, Velasquez beat Denise Kielholtz via split decision at Bellator 262 in July.
Carmouche is perhaps best known for being in the first women's UFC main event when she met Ronda Rousey at UFC 157 in February 2013. The MMA pioneer left the UFC and signed with Bellator in 2020 and is 3-0 in the promotion, with two of those victories coming inside the distance to earn herself a crack at Velasquez.
Here is everything you need to know about Bellator 278: Juliana Velasquez vs. Liz Carmouche.
When is Bellator 278, date, start time
Date: Friday, April 22
Main card: 10:00 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. BST
Main event ringwalks (approx): Midnight ET / 5 a.m. BST
The main card gets underway at 10:00 p.m. ET / 3 a.m. BST with the main event ringwalks scheduled for Midnight ET / 5 a.m. BST. These timings could change due to the length of the undercard bouts.
What channel/stream is Bellator 278?
U.S.: Showtime
UK: BBC iPlayer
Showtime will broadcast the fight in the United States, while UK fans can stream the event on BBC iPlayer.
Where is Bellator 278?
The fight card takes place at the Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu.
Juliana Velasquez record and bio
Nationality: Brazilian
Born: October 19, 1986
Height: 5'7"
Reach: 67.5"
Total Fights: 12
Record: 12-0
Liz Carmouche record and bio
Nationality: American
Born: February 19, 1984
Height: 5'6"
Reach: 66"
Total Fights: 23
Record: 16-7
Bellator 278 fight card
Main Card
- Juliana Velasquez (c) vs. Liz Carmouche for Velasquez's Women's Flyweight title
- Nikita Mikhailov vs. Enrique Barzola; Bantamweight
- Jornel Lugo vs. Danny Sabatello; Bantamweight
- Christian Edwards vs. Grant Neal; Light Heavyweight
- Nate Andrews vs. Manny Muro; Catchweight (160 lb)
Preliminary Card
- Weber Almeida vs. Fabricio Franco; Featherweight
- Dante Schiro vs. Scotty Hao; Welterweight
- Makoa Cooper vs. Blake Perry; Welterweight