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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane

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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
Macfarlane in 2020.
Born (1990-04-02) April 2, 1990 (age 34)
Honolulu, Hawaii, U.S.
Other namesThe Ilimanator
Height5 ft 4 in (1.63 m)
Weight125 lb (57 kg; 8.9 st)
DivisionFlyweight
Reach66+1⁄2 in (169 cm)
Fighting out ofSan Diego, California, U.S.
TeamSan Diego Combat Academy[1]
RankBlack belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu[2]
Years active2014–present
Mixed martial arts record
Total16
Wins13
By knockout2
By submission6
By decision5
Losses3
By knockout1
By decision2
UniversitySan Diego State University
Mixed martial arts record from Sherdog

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (born April 2, 1990) is an American professional mixed martial artist currently competing in the flyweight division of Bellator MMA.[3] She is the inaugural and former Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion.

Background

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In her youth, Macfarlane played basketball, but her aspirations in the sport came to a stop due to series of knee injuries.[1] Macfarlane graduated from Punahou School in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii. Although she got a scholarship for wrestling to Menlo College, she decided to study Anthropology at San Diego State University from where she earned a Bachelor's Degree in 2013.[1] Afterwards, she continued her education at SDSU to study Master of Arts in Liberal Studies.[4]

During the summer before grad program, she decided to lose some weight she gained in the college and joined a CrossFit gym and Liz Carmouche's MMA gym. She grew affinity for mixed martial arts and continued training at the San Diego Combat Academy.[1]

Mixed martial arts career

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Xplode Fight Series

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Macfarlane began her amateur MMA career in 2014. She fought five times during that year, mainly with Xplode Fight Series, and went undefeated as an amateur.

Macfarlane's first professional fight was an unsanctioned match against Katie Castro for Xplode Fight Series in 2015. Macfarlane won via technical knockout ten seconds into the bout. In the aftermath of the lopsided affair, the California State Athletic Commission (CSAC) launched an investigation into the organization's unsanctioned MMA events. Castro had a 0–2 record before fighting Macfarlane and footage of the match was posted on the internet and labeled "Soccer mom loses to MMA fighter". The video went viral, garnering over a million views on YouTube and was discussed on a few television news networks.[5]

Bellator MMA

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Following the bout with Castro, Macfarlane signed a three-fight contract with Bellator MMA.[6][1] She made her debut in August 2015 at Bellator 141 where she defeated Maria Rios by split decision.[7]

Macfarlane fought Amber Tackett at Bellator 148 where Macfarlane won by armbar submission in the first round.[8]

Macfarlane's next bout was against Rebecca Ruth at Bellator 157 where she won by standing rear-naked choke in the second round.[9]

Macfarlane would then fight Emily Ducote at Bellator 167 where she was victorious via unanimous decision.[10]

Macfarlane faced Jessica Middleton at Bellator 178 and won by armbar submission in the first round.[11]

Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion

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Macfarlane and Emily Ducote had a rematch at Bellator 186 for the inaugural Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.[12] Macfarlane won the bout with an armbar variation in the fifth round to win her first MMA championship.[13]

Macfarlane faced Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 for the first defense of her flyweight title.[14] Macfarlane won the fight in the third round via armbar.[15]

Macfarlane faced Valérie Létourneau at Bellator 213 in Macfarlane's hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.[16] Macfarlane successfully defended her title for a second time, defeating Létourneau by third round submission.[17]

In her third title defense, Macfarlane faced Veta Arteaga at Bellator 220 on April 27, 2019.[18] She won the fight via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage in the third round.[19]

Macfarlane made her fourth title defense against Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019.[20] Macfarlane was victorious via unanimous decision.[21]

On February 10, 2020, it was announced that Macfarlane had signed a ten-fight, five-year extension contract with Bellator.[22][23]

Macfarlane attempted her next defense against undefeated challenger Juliana Velasquez on December 10, 2020, at Bellator 254.[24] She lost the fight and her title via unanimous decision.[25]

Post Title Reign

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After more than a year off due to knee surgery and rehab,[26] Macfarlane made her return against Justine Kish on April 23, 2022, at Bellator 279.[27] In an upset, she lost the bout via unanimous decision.[28]

Macfarlane faced Bruna Ellen at Bellator 284 on August 12, 2022.[29] At weigh ins, Macfarlane was three pounds over the division non-title fight limit at 129 lbs, resulting in her being a fined a percentage of her purse which went to Ellen and the bout proceeded at catchweight.[30] She won the bout via unanimous decision.[31]

Macfarlane faced Kana Watanabe on April 22, 2023, at Bellator 295.[32] She won the close bout via split decision.[33]

MacFarlane was scheduled to face reigning champion Liz Carmouche for the Bellator Women's Flyweight Championship on October 7, 2023, at Bellator 300.[34] However at the weigh-ins, Macfarlane came in at 126.6 lb (after coming in at 127.4 lb in her first attempt), 1.6 pounds over the women's flyweight limit for a title fight. The commission gave her an additional hour to cut weight, but Macfarlane came in at 128.2 lb. As a result, the bout proceeded as a one way title bout, where in the event that Macfarlane won the fight, she would be ineligible for the championship and the title would be left vacant, while if Carmouche won it would still count as a title defense.[35] MacFarlane lost the fight via leg kick TKO in the fifth round.[36]

Professional grappling career

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Macfarlane competed in a four-woman Combat Jiu-Jitsu tournament at EBI 12 on July 29, 2017 where she won both matches and the title.

Macfarlane returned to grappling at Submission Underground 21 on March 28, 2021 where she faced Jessica Eye.[37] She won the match by submission in EBI overtime.[38]

Macfarlane was promoted to black belt by Richie Martinez at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu San Diego on August 13, 2023.[2]

Personal life

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In April 2020, Ilima-Lei, her sister Mahina, and one other female who chose to remain anonymous to the public filed a lawsuit against Punahou School for failing to take action over years of alleged sexual abuse from the school's assistant basketball coach, Dwayne Yuen. In the lawsuit, all three allege Yuen of years of sexual abuse, harassment, lewd gestures, and showing young girls several pornographic photos.[39] In February 2023, Yuen was arrested and charged with child pornography charges.[40]

Championships and accomplishments

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Combat jiu-jitsu

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Mixed martial arts

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Mixed martial arts record

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Professional record breakdown
16 matches 13 wins 3 losses
By knockout 2 1
By submission 6 0
By decision 5 2
Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Loss 13–3 Liz Carmouche TKO (leg kick) Bellator 300 October 7, 2023 5 0:17 San Diego, California, United States For the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship. Macfarlane missed weight (126.6 lbs) and was ineligible for the title.
Win 13–2 Kana Watanabe Decision (split) Bellator 295 April 22, 2023 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Win 12–2 Bruna Ellen Decision (unanimous) Bellator 284 August 12, 2022 3 5:00 Sioux Falls, South Dakota, United States Catchweight (129 lb) bout; Macfarlane missed weight.
Loss 11–2 Justine Kish Decision (unanimous) Bellator 279 April 23, 2022 3 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States
Loss 11–1 Juliana Velasquez Decision (unanimous) Bellator 254 December 10, 2020 5 5:00 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States Lost the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 11–0 Kate Jackson Decision (unanimous) Bellator 236 December 21, 2019 5 5:00 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Defended the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 10–0 Veta Arteaga TKO (doctor stoppage) Bellator 220 April 27, 2019 3 1:50 San Jose, California, United States Defended the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 9–0 Valérie Létourneau Submission (triangle choke) Bellator 213 December 15, 2018 3 3:19 Honolulu, Hawaii, United States Defended the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 8–0 Alejandra Lara Submission (armbar) Bellator 201 June 29, 2018 3 3:55 Temecula, California, United States Defended the Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 7–0 Emily Ducote Submission (triangle armbar) Bellator 186 November 3, 2017 5 3:42 University Park, Pennsylvania, United States Won the inaugural Bellator Women's Flyweight World Championship.
Win 6–0 Jessica Middleton Submission (armbar) Bellator 178 April 21, 2017 1 2:15 Uncasville, Connecticut, United States
Win 5–0 Emily Ducote Decision (unanimous) Bellator 167 December 3, 2016 3 5:00 Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States
Win 4–0 Rebecca Ruth Submission (standing rear-naked choke) Bellator 157 June 24, 2016 2 3:00 St.Louis, Missouri, United States
Win 3–0 Amber Tackett Submission (armbar) Bellator 148 January 29, 2016 1 2:09 Fresno, California, United States
Win 2–0 Maria Rios Decision (split) Bellator 141 August 28, 2015 3 5:00 Temecula, California, United States
Win 1–0 Katie Castro KO (punches) Xplode Fight Series – Hurricane January 17, 2015 1 0:10 Valley Center, California, United States

[46][47][48][49][50]

Res. Record Opponent Method Event Date Round Time Location Notes
Win 5–0 Angela Hancock Submission (armbar) Xplode Fight Series - Wasteland November 8, 2014 3 1:32 Valley Center, California, United States
Win 4–0 LaToya Darby TKO (punches) Xplode Fight Series - Tornado September 20, 2014 1 0:50 Valley Center, California, United States
Win 3–0 Breanna Bland Submission (kimura) Xplode Fight Series - Tidal Wave August 23, 2014 1 1:47 Valley Center, California, United States
Win 2–0 Monique Martinez Decision (split) Archangel Worldwide MMA – Tournament of Truth 2 May 2, 2014 3 2:00 Riverside, California, United States
Win 1–0 Stephanie Houser Submission (rear-naked choke) Xplode Fight Series - Fire March 22, 2014 1 0:46 Valley Center, California, United States

Combat jiu-jitsu record

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Res. Record Opponent Method Event Division Date Notes
Win 2–0 Norway Celine Haga Submission (kimura) EBI 12 Flyweight July 29, 2017 Won the inaugural EBI Women's Flyweight Championship.
Win 1–0 United States Brooke Mayo Submission (triangle choke)

[51][52][53][54][55]

See also

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References

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  1. ^ a b c d e Dave Meltzer (April 27, 2019). "After storybook night, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane returns to reality to defend accidental title". mmafighting.com.
  2. ^ a b Phillips, Sabrina. "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Promoted To BJJ Black Belt At 10th Planet". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  3. ^ "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane". Tapology.
  4. ^ "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane". Facebook.
  5. ^ "Video spurs probe into Xplode's unsanctioned MMA events". MMA Fighting. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  6. ^ "Ilima Macfarlane: 'Soccer mom' KO video not the reason I got a Bellator contract". MMAjunkie. 2015-08-30. Retrieved 2017-07-08.
  7. ^ "Bellator 141 Results: Play-by-Play & Live Updates". Sherdog. August 28, 2015.
  8. ^ Robinson, Champ. "Tackett hopes to learn from loss". eu.visaliatimesdelta.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  9. ^ Lee, Alexander K. "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane stays undefeated with submission win". thescore.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  10. ^ Wells, Adam (4 December 2016). "Bellator 167 Results: Winners, Scorecards from Caldwell vs. Taimanglo 2 Card". bleacherreport.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  11. ^ MyMMANews. "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane submits Jessica Middleton at Bellator 178". mymmanews.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  12. ^ Brett Okamoto (September 19, 2017). "Bellator to crown first female flyweight champ Nov. 3". ESPN.
  13. ^ Anderson, Jay (3 November 2017). "Bellator 186 Results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Submits Ducote, Wins Inaugural Bellator Women's Flyweight Crown". cagesidepress.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  14. ^ Alexander K. Lee (April 3, 2018). "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane defends flyweight title vs. Alejandra Lara in Bellator 201 main event". mmafighting.com.
  15. ^ Bryan Tucker (June 29, 2018). "Bellator 201 Results: Macfarlane vs. Lara". mmafighting.com.
  16. ^ Tristen Critchfield (September 12, 2018). "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to Defend Title vs. Valerie Letourneau at Bellator's First Hawaii Event". Sherdog.
  17. ^ "Bellator 213 Results: Macfarlane vs Létourneau". mmafighting.com. December 15, 2018.
  18. ^ Marc Raimondi (January 23, 2019). "Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch title fight, Bellator grand prix first round slated for April". mmafighting.com.
  19. ^ Baer, Jack (28 April 2019). "MMA match immediately ends after nasty cut covers fighter's face in blood". sports.yahoo.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  20. ^ Nolan King (October 3, 2019). "Ilima Lei-Macfarlane gets opponent for Bellator's December return to Hawaii". mmajunkie.com.
  21. ^ Doyle, Dave (22 December 2019). "Bellator 236 results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane thrills Hawaiian crowd with win over Kate Jackson". mmajunkie.usatoday.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  22. ^ Tristen Critchfield (February 10, 2020). "Bellator Re-Signs Champs Douglas Lima, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to Multi-Year Extensions". sherdog.com.
  23. ^ Steven Marrocco (February 10, 2020). "Douglas Lima, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane re-up with Bellator". mmafighting.com.
  24. ^ MMA Junkie Staff (October 28, 2020). "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane puts title on line vs. Juliana Velasquez at Bellator 254 in December". MMA Junkie. Archived from the original on November 4, 2020. Retrieved October 28, 2020.
  25. ^ Steve Juon (December 10, 2020). "Bellator 254 results: Live streaming play-by-play updates | 'Macfarlane vs Velasquez'". mmamania.com.
  26. ^ "Ex-Bellator champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane says knee surgery forced her from Kana Watanabe fight". MMA Junkie. 2021-07-16. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  27. ^ "Bellator 278 & 279 to be held in Hawaii, headlined by return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, Cyborg title defense, and Bantamweight Grand Prix". KHON2. 2022-03-09. Retrieved 2022-03-09.
  28. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-04-24). "Bellator 279: Justine Kish Spoils Return of Ilima-Lei Macfarlane". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-04-24.
  29. ^ "Bellator 284 lineup announced, including Neiman Gracie vs. Goiti Yamauchi headliner, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, more". MMA Junkie. 2022-06-15. Retrieved 2022-06-15.
  30. ^ "Bellator 284 weigh-in results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, two others heavy; one fight canceled". MMA Junkie. 2022-08-11. Retrieved 2022-08-11.
  31. ^ Anderson, Jay (2022-08-12). "Bellator 284: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Back in Win Column with Split Decision Against Bruna Ellen". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2022-08-13.
  32. ^ Christian Shimabuku (2023-02-15). "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane to face Kana Watanabe at Bellator 295". KHON2. Retrieved 2023-02-15.
  33. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-04-23). "Bellator 295: Razor-Thin Decision Sees Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Claim Win Over Kana Watanabe". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-04-23.
  34. ^ Guillen Jr, Adam (2023-08-09). "Bellator 300 set with four title fights featuring Ryan Bader, Cris Cyborg and Usman Nurmagomedov". SBNation. Retrieved 2023-09-13.
  35. ^ "Bellator 300 weigh-in results: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane misses weight, can't win title from champ Liz Carmouche". MMA Junkie. 2023-10-06. Retrieved 2023-10-07.
  36. ^ Anderson, Jay (2023-10-07). "Bellator 300: Liz Carmouche Chops Down Wounded Ilima-Lei Macfarlane With Leg Kicks". Cageside Press. Retrieved 2023-10-08.
  37. ^ Jones, Phil. "Both Promotional Titles On The Line At Submission Underground 21". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  38. ^ "Submission Underground 21 Full Results And Review". Jitsmagazine. Retrieved 14 August 2023.
  39. ^ "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane among group of women filing lawsuit against Punahou School". KITV. April 23, 2020. Retrieved September 14, 2020.
  40. ^ Rick Daysog (February 2, 2023). "Former Punahou coach long accused of sexually assaulting players is arrested on child porn charges". Hawaii News Now.
  41. ^ Knapp, Brian (31 July 2017). "Erin Blanchfield, Ilima-Lei MacFarlane Crowned Champions at Eddie Bravo Invitational 12". sherdog.com. Retrieved 12 April 2022.
  42. ^ a b c d Mike Bohn (April 19, 2023). "Bellator 295 pre-event facts: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane adds to records in Hawaii". MMAjunkie.com.
  43. ^ Mike Bohn (December 22, 2019). "Bellator 236 post-event facts: A.J. McKee's record-book takeover nearly complete". mmajunkie.com.
  44. ^ Mike Bohn (April 23, 2023). "Bellator 295 post-event facts: Patchy Mix's knee knockout caps off epic grand prix run". MMAjunkie.com.
  45. ^ Fernanda Prates (January 5, 2019). "MMAjunkie's 2018 'Breakout Fighter of the Year': Champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane's refreshing aloha". mmajunkie.com.
  46. ^ "Ilima-Lei MacFarlane - MMA Fighter Profile - Bellator.Spike.com".
  47. ^ "Xplode Fight Series - XFS (A2M Entertainment, Inc.) - MMA Promoter Page - Tapology".
  48. ^ "Ilima-Lei Macfarlane - MMA - Awakening Fighters".
  49. ^ "Ilima MacFarlane : Official MMA Fight Record (6-0-0)".
  50. ^ Sherdog.com. "Xplode Fight Series - Hurricane".
  51. ^ Sherdog.com. "Xplode Fight Series - Wasteland".
  52. ^ Sherdog.com. "Xplode Fight Series - Tornado".
  53. ^ Sherdog.com. "Xplode Fight Series - Tidal Wave".
  54. ^ Sherdog.com. "Xplode Fight Series - Fire".
  55. ^ Sherdog.com. "Archangel Worldwide MMA - Tournament of Truth 2".
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