Carmouche Cuts Hair to Make Weight for Bishop Title Fight

Liz Carmouche had to cut her hair to make weight for her PFL women's flyweight title fight against Jena Bishop, coming in just under the 125-pound limit on Thursday ahead of PFL Chicago. Bishop weighed in comfortably under the mark. The two meet Friday night in the main event for the promotion's inaugural women's flyweight championship, a rematch between the two top contenders in the division.

The scale drama adds an unexpected wrinkle to a fight Carmouche has been treating as a referendum on her career. The former UFC title challenger, who fought Ronda Rousey for the UFC's first-ever women's bantamweight belt more than a decade ago, says she is done hearing people suggest she is near the end.

"I'm not looking for Friday night to be any different, and looking to silence people that are haters or doubters or people talking about a retirement," Carmouche told reporters at Wednesday's media day. "Just put everybody to rest."

What's at stake in the Carmouche vs. Bishop rematch

Carmouche and Bishop are fighting for the vacant PFL women's flyweight title, giving Carmouche a chance to add an MMA championship to a resume built on toughness and durability rather than hardware. Carmouche framed the opportunity as bigger than her own career, pointing to it as proof of how far the women's divisions have come in MMA. "The women deserve to be here. We're constantly going out there and being main events, co-main events, and taking over the entire fight card," she said.

Bishop, a submission specialist, has not been shy about the pre-fight chatter either. She pushed back on Carmouche's prediction that she would fade in the championship rounds, suggesting it is Carmouche who should worry about the later going. That kind of split read on who owns the cardio edge is exactly the sort of detail that matters once the fight hits the third round and beyond.

Does the weight cut change the betting picture

A tight weight cut, especially one that requires cutting hair to shed the final ounces, is worth watching from a wagering standpoint. It does not automatically signal a depleted fighter, but bettors leaning toward Carmouche should want to see her look sharp and hydrated early rather than fading physically on top of any grappling fatigue Bishop is banking on. Given Bishop's finishing instincts on the mat, oddsmakers and bettors alike will be parsing whether Carmouche's veteran cardio and durability hold up against a fighter who specializes in making opponents work in deep water. Anyone backing Carmouche as the betting underdog in a comeback narrative should weigh the scale struggles against her well-documented championship pedigree before locking in a wager.

This is a rematch, which gives both camps a real book on each other rather than pure projection, and that history should matter more to sharp bettors than the pre-fight trash talk.

Frequently Asked Questions

Why did Liz Carmouche cut her hair before PFL Chicago?

Liz Carmouche cut her hair during fight week to shed enough weight to make the 125-pound limit for her PFL women's flyweight title fight against Jena Bishop at PFL Chicago.

What title are Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop fighting for?

Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop are fighting for the inaugural, vacant PFL women's flyweight championship in the main event of PFL Chicago on Friday night.

Have Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop fought before?

Yes, the PFL Chicago main event between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop is a rematch between the two fighters.