Liz Carmouche’s Championship Legacy Faces New Test as Jena Bishop Targets PFL History

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Liz Carmouche helped open doors for women in MMA, and Friday night in Chicago, she can add a rare title to her résumé: first PFL women’s flyweight world champion. Standing in her way is Jena Bishop, a decorated grappler chasing history of her own.

Official weigh-ins are complete, and both women made the 125-pound limit for the PFL Chicago main event at Wintrust Arena. Carmouche (26-8) weighed in at 125.0 pounds, while Bishop (11-3) checked in at 124.6, according to PFL.

The PFL women’s flyweight title fight between Liz Carmouche and Jena Bishop will determine the division’s inaugural world champion in Chicago. [PFL photo]

Carmouche vs. Bishop: What Is at Stake in the PFL Women’s Flyweight Title Fight

For Carmouche, a former Bellator champion and the 2025 PFL World Tournament champion, the bout is a chance to add another milestone to a career PFL describes as pioneering. A win would make her the promotion’s inaugural champion at 125 pounds.

Bishop brings a different résumé. The IBJJF No-Gi World champion and ADCC veteran is known for her submission game, and a victory would put her name atop the new division. PFL lists Carmouche at No. 2 and Bishop at No. 4.

On paper, it is a clash of long experience and elite grappling pedigree. Because the division’s first title is on the line, the result will carry lasting weight in PFL history, and fans will find out whether experience or submission skill prevails.

PFL Chicago Fight Card, Start Time and How to Watch

The co-main event features Timur Khizriev (18-0), the 2024 PFL featherweight tournament champion, against Gabriel Braga (17-3). Khizriev weighed in at 145.4 pounds and Braga at 145.8. It is Khizriev’s return after a layoff for injuries, per PFL.

Also on the main card, Sarvarjon Khamidov meets Rafael do Nascimento at bantamweight, and Oualy Tandia faces JP Saint Louis in a 173-pound catchweight bout. PFL’s results flagged a missed weight in that fight.

The women’s strawweight bout between Benita van Rooij and Giuliany Perea was removed because Perea was not medically cleared. The card now has 13 fights, and the main card airs at 11 p.m. ET/8 p.m. PT on ESPN2 and ESPN Deportes in the U.S.

The preliminary card starts at 6:30 p.m. ET/3:30 p.m. PT on the ESPN App for fans with the ESPN Unlimited plan. Tickets are available through Ticketmaster, and more details are at pfl.info/Chicago.