Ahead of Bellator 284, where Bruna Ellen faces former women’s flyweight champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, the Brazilian worked with standout grappler Michelle Nicolini.
“For this camp, she helped me a lot,” Ellen (6-3) said during Wednesday’s Bellator 284 media day. “Everybody from the fighting world knows that Nicolini is a tough fighter, she knows a lot about jiu-jitsu and helped me with my preparation for this fight. My jiu-jitsu improved a lot, so I’m ready.”
Her last fight was a split decision win over Desiree Yanez, something Ellen says she “learned a lot” from. But she’s clearly aiming to avoid the judges this time out.
“This fight right now, it won’t get the chance to go to the judges,” she stated. “So I’m ready for that.”
Ellen was particularly happy being matched up with a former champion in Macfarlane, who remains one of the biggest names in Bellator MMA. After all, that could very well catapult Ellen towards the title.
“I was very happy with this announcement,” she said of the booking. “I know that I need to be prepared. I’m here, I’m ready, and I know I’m going to chase to the championship.”
Bellator 284 takes place this Friday, August 12, 2022 at the Sanford Pentagon in Sioux Falls, South Dakota. Bruna Ellen faces Ilima-Lei Macfarlane on the main card.
