Bellator women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has had an absolutely insane few months. In November, at Bellator 186, she captured the promotion’s inaugural women’s 125lb title, defeating Emily Ducote via submission. Perfect in her career to date, the title was her crowning achievement.
Tragically, however, the belt was destroyed in a fire earlier this month. Making things even crazier, Macfarlane, born in Hawaii, was back home when the false alert for a missile attack was issued. That false alarm gave her and her family a scare barely a day after the fire. She told Cageside Press’ Gabriel Gonzalez that her family had begun “saying their goodbyes” during the scare. Luckily, it turned out to be a false alarm, and now, Macfarlane can get back to focusing on her career in the cage.
Macfarlane addressed her next challenge, and when she wants to fight again, during the festivities surrounding Bellator 192.
On who’s next, the champ can’t see it being anyone other than Valerie Letourneau. Letourneau, a former UFC strawweight title challenger, won her Bellator debut in December. “I think Valerie,” said Macfarlane, “just because she did well in her promotional debut. She won, she’s a UFC veteran, fought for the belt in the UFC, went all five rounds with Joanna Jedrzejczyk.” Because of that, “I think for sure it would be Val.”
And when would Ilima-Lei like to get back in the cage? The flyweight has a date in mind. “I’m actually going to try — I would like to fight sometime in April” she told us. “I know that there’s a card in Chicago, with Fedor and Frank Mir headlining that. So I thought that would be a good opportunity. So, it’s whatever Bellator wants, but ideally I’d like to fight in April.”
With Frank Mir and Fedor Emelianenko set as the headliner, would she mind playing second fiddle to the Heavyweight Grand Prix? After all, we saw what transpired with Rory MacDonald vs. Douglas Lima being demoted this weekend. “Honestly, I’m totally cool,” said Macfarlane. “I’m not one of those fighters who is like ‘why am I not the main?!?’ I’m fine with whatever they – I’m not Diva-lima until I cut wait, then I start being a huge diva. But I don’t mind at all.”
With luck, Macfarlane will get her wish. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Valerie Letourneau is easily one of the most anticipated flyweight fights this year.
