Liz Carmouche last fought in July of 2018 and wanted to return sooner. She will finally get that chance on Saturday when the UFC makes its debut in the Czech Republic.

“I’m ready to fight,” Carmouche said to BJPENN.com. “That’s what I’m looking forward to. I haven’t fought since July and I have been nagging the UFC. I have tried to get booked well before but I’m excited to finally be able to go out there and do what I do.”

When Carmouche does enter the Octagon, staring across from her will be Lucie Pudilova, the 14th ranked bantamweight, who is dropping down to flyweight. Although Carmouche is glad to fight again, she was hoping to fight someone ahead of her in the rankings, but that did not come to fruition.

 “I have been bugging the UFC and asking for fights,” she said. “The rumor I have heard is everyone has been turning down fights to fight me. That is why I haven’t fought since July. 

“One of the fighters, I’m not going to name her, said even if you get a win over me it is going to cost your body,” Carmouche continued. “There are other fighters where you can get a win and not take much damage. There is a guarantee with me you will take some damage and have to take some time off if they fight me.”

In the end, Liz Carmouche had to fight someone below her in the rankings. But, in a still developing flyweight division, she understands a win is crucial.

“Absolutely. For me, it is about title contention,” she stated. “I don’t care if it is one rank above me or whatever performance I have to do. It is all about getting into title contention that matters to me.”

“I was certainly hoping it would be closer to title contention,” Carmouche added. “But, with people turning down fights, and having to beg for it, all I care about is just getting back in there and fighting.”

Something Carmouche did for this training camp was not work and instead just train every day alongside the likes of Pearl Gonzalez and Ilima Lei-MacFarlane.

“My training camp has been great. I took this fight camp off from working at the gym,” Carmouche said. “Normally, I am training six hours a day and working my 8-10 hour shift, and sacrifice sleep. Now I am able to focus on my training and recovery.”

Ultimately, Liz Carmouche is confident she will get her hand raised whether that comes via finish or decision.

“I’m hoping a win with a strong finish would put me back in title contention,” she concluded.

This article first appeared on BJPenn.com on 2/22/2019