Liz Carmouche, known as “Girl-Rilla,” is a prominent figure in mixed martial arts (MMA).
With a career spanning over a decade, she has competed in some of the most prestigious MMA organizations, including the Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and Bellator MMA.
This article will teach Liz Carmouche’s net worth, salary, career earnings, contract, stats, wife, career overview, and more.
Liz Carmouche’s Biography
| Category | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Elizabeth Marie Carmouche |
| Nickname | Girl-Rilla |
| Birthdate | February 19, 1984 |
| Birthplace | Lafayette, Louisiana, USA |
| Nationality | American |
| Ethnicity | Lebanese, Irish, Cajun French |
| Residence | San Diego, California, USA |
| Height | 5’6″ (1.68 m) |
| Weight | 125 lb (56.7 kg) |
| Reach | 66″ (1.68 m) |
| Stance | Orthodox |
| Marital Status | Married |
| Spouse | Brae Chapman |
| Children | 1 son |
| Military Service | U.S. Marine Corps (5 years, aviation electrician, 3 tours in the Middle East) |
| Education | Okinawa Christian School International (graduated in 2003), San Diego City College (studying Kinesiology) |
Born on February 19, 1984, in Lafayette, Louisiana, she grew up in Okinawa, Japan, where she attended Okinawa Christian School International.
UFC Career
Liz Carmouche’s MMA career began in 2010, but she gained significant attention when she competed in the UFC’s first-ever women’s MMA match.
On February 23, 2013, she faced Ronda Rousey for the UFC Women’s Bantamweight Championship at UFC 157.
Although she lost the fight, this bout marked a historic moment for women’s MMA. At the time of her departure from the UFC, she was ranked #4 in the women’s flyweight division.
MMA Career
In December 2019, Carmouche signed with Bellator MMA. Her debut was scheduled for May 29, 2020, against Mandy Böhm, but the bout was canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
She eventually made her Bellator debut against DeAnna Bennett on September 12, 2020, winning the fight via third-round submission.
Her most significant achievement came when she became the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion by defeating Juliana Velasquez.
Spouse
Liz Carmouche is married to her wife, Brae Chapman. They met around a decade ago and lived together on a farm.
The couple has a son together.
Liz Carmouche’s Net Worth Details
Liz Carmouche’s net worth is estimated to be $80,000 as of 2025.
Contract
- Current Promotion: Liz Carmouche is signed with the Professional Fighters League (PFL) and holds the title of Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship.
- Previous UFC Contract: Carmouche was released from the UFC in December 2019 after more than 6 years with the promotion. She had signed a new contract shortly before her release.
- Bellator Contract: After leaving the UFC, Carmouche signed a multiyear, multi-fight contract with Bellator MMA.
Fight Purses
| Event | Opponent | Date | Purse Details | Outcome |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| UFC 157 | Ronda Rousey | February 23, 2013 | $574,720 (Rousey’s payout, not Carmouche’s) | Loss |
| UFC Fight Night 123 | Alexis Davis | December 9, 2017 | Not specified | Loss |
| UFC Fight Night 133 | Jennifer Maia | July 14, 2018 | Not specified | Win |
| UFC Fight Night 145 | Lucie Pudilová | February 23, 2019 | Not specified | Win |
| UFC Fight Night 156 | Valentina Shevchenko | August 10, 2019 | Not specified | Loss |
| Bellator 300 | Ilima-Lei Macfarlane | October 7, 2023 | $150,000 | Win |
| PFL 1 | Juliana Velasquez | April 4, 2024 | Not specified | Win |
| PFL 4 | Kana Watanabe | June 13, 2024 | Not specified | Win |
| PFL 7 | Taila Santos | August 2, 2024 | 20% of purse deducted due to missing weight |
Endorsements
- Medical Marijuana Inc.: Carmouche is an advocate for the therapeutic benefits of cannabidiol (CBD) oil and serves as a spokesperson for Medical Marijuana Inc.
- General Promotional Activities: While specific endorsement deals are not detailed, Carmouche has been involved in various promotional activities for the UFC and Bellator, leveraging her profile to support these organizations
Fight Stats
| Opponent | Event | Date | Result | Method | Round | Time | Location |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Ronda Rousey | UFC 157 | February 23, 2013 | Loss | Submission (armbar) | 1 | 4:49 | Anaheim, California, USA |
| Marloes Coenen | Strikeforce: Feijao vs. Henderson | March 5, 2011 | Loss | Submission (triangle choke) | 4 | 1:29 | Columbus, Ohio, USA |
| Sarah Kaufman | Strikeforce Challengers: Voelker vs. Bowling III | July 22, 2011 | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Ashleigh Curry | Invicta FC 1 | April 28, 2012 | Win | TKO (punches) | 1 | 1:58 | Kansas City, Kansas, USA |
| Kaitlin Young | Invicta FC 2 | July 28, 2012 | Win | Submission (rear-naked choke) | 2 | 3:34 | Kansas City, Kansas, USA |
| Jessica Andrade | UFC on FOX 8 | July 27, 2013 | Loss | TKO (punches) | 2 | 3:57 | Seattle, Washington, USA |
| Alexis Davis | UFC 175 | June 14, 2014 | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Las Vegas, Nevada, USA |
| Lauren Murphy | UFC Fight Night 63 | April 4, 2015 | Win | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Fairfax, Virginia, USA |
| Kaitlin Chookagian | UFC 205 | November 12, 2016 | Loss | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, USA |
| Alexis Davis | UFC Fight Night 123 | December 9, 2017 | Loss | Decision (split) | 3 | 5:00 | Fresno, California, USA |
| Jennifer Maia | UFC Fight Night 133 | July 14, 2018 | Win | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Boise, Idaho, USA |
| Lucie Pudilová | UFC Fight Night 145 | February 23, 2019 | Win | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Prague, Czech Republic |
| Valentina Shevchenko | UFC Fight Night 156 | August 10, 2019 | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | 5 | 5:00 | Montevideo, Uruguay |
| Juliana Velasquez | PFL 1 | April 4, 2024 | Win | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Kana Watanabe | PFL 4 | June 13, 2024 | Win | Submission (armbar) | 3 | 2:39 | Atlanta, Georgia, USA |
| Taila Santos | PFL 7 | August 2, 2024 | Loss | Decision (unanimous) | 3 | 5:00 | Nashville, Tennessee, USA |
FAQs
1. Who is Liz Carmouche?
Liz Carmouche is an American mixed martial artist currently signed to the Professional Fighters League (PFL). She is a former Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Champion and a veteran of the UFC, where she competed in both bantamweight and flyweight divisions. She is also a former United States Marine.
2. What is Liz Carmouche’s MMA record?
Liz Carmouche has a professional MMA record of 23 wins and 8 losses. Her victories include 10 by knockout, 6 by submission, and 7 by decision. She is known for her versatility and relentless fighting style.
3. What notable achievements does Liz Carmouche have in MMA?
Liz Carmouche was the first openly gay fighter in the UFC and competed in the first-ever women’s MMA fight in UFC history against Ronda Rousey at UFC 157. She held the Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship and successfully defended it three times.
4. What is Liz Carmouche’s background before MMA?
Before pursuing MMA, Liz Carmouche served in the United States Marine Corps as an aviation electrician from 2004 to 2009, completing three tours of duty in the Middle East. Her military discipline helped shape her approach to training and competing.
5. What is Liz Carmouche’s fighting style?
Liz Carmouche is a well-rounded fighter with expertise in Brazilian jiu-jitsu (black belt) and American Kenpo (yellow belt). Her fighting style combines strong ground-and-pound techniques with effective submissions and striking.
6. Has Liz Carmouche faced any high-profile opponents?
Yes, Liz Carmouche has fought several notable opponents, including Ronda Rousey, Miesha Tate, Valentina Shevchenko, and Jessica Andrade. Her fight against Rousey was historic as it marked the first women’s bout in UFC history.
7. Why did Liz Carmouche leave the UFC?
Liz Carmouche left the UFC after competing there for several years. She expressed gratitude for her experiences but stated she was happy with her career progression in Bellator MMA, where she achieved championship success before moving to PFL.
8. What nickname does Liz Carmouche go by, and why?
Liz Carmouche is nicknamed “Girl-Rilla,” a reference to her muscular physique and strength that rivals male fighters. The nickname symbolizes her tenacity and power inside the cage.
9. What challenges has Liz Carmouche faced in her career?
Liz Carmouche faced challenges transitioning from military service to MMA due to job application struggles post-military life. Additionally, she has been an advocate for LGBTQ+ representation in sports while navigating media attention as an openly gay athlete.
10. What are Liz Carmouche’s current goals in MMA?
Liz Carmouche aims to continue refining her skills and competing at a high level in PFL’s Women’s Flyweight Tournament. She focuses on improving her overall game by integrating striking, grappling, and strategy for exciting performances that captivate fans.
