Ilima-Lei Macfarlane graduated from Punahou School in 2009 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
27 Facts About Ilima-Lei Macfarlane
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane grew affinity for mixed martial arts and continued training at the San Diego Combat Academy.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane fought five times during that year, mainly with Xplode Fight Series, and went undefeated as an amateur.
4.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane's first professional fight was an unsanctioned match against Katie Castro for Xplode Fight Series in 2015.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won via technical knockout ten seconds into the bout.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane made her debut in August 2015 at Bellator 141 where she defeated Maria Rios by split decision.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane fought Amber Tackett at Bellator 148 where Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won by armbar submission in the first round.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane faced Jessica Middleton at Bellator 178 and won by armbar submission in the first round.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won the bout with an armbar variation in the fifth round to win her first MMA championship.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane faced Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 for the first defense of her flyweight title.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won the fight in the third round via armbar.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane faced Valerie Letourneau at Bellator 213 in Ilima-Lei Macfarlane's hometown of Honolulu, Hawaii.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane successfully defended her title for a second time, defeating Letourneau by third round submission.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won the fight via TKO due to a doctor's stoppage in the third round.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane made her fourth title defense against Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 on December 21,2019.
16.
On February 10,2020, it was announced that Ilima-Lei Macfarlane had signed a ten-fight, five-year extension contract with Bellator.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane attempted her next defense against undefeated challenger Juliana Velasquez on December 10,2020, at Bellator 254.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane lost the fight and her title via unanimous decision.
19.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane faced Bruna Ellen at Bellator 284 on August 12,2022.
20.
At weigh ins, Ilima-Lei 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.
21.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane faced Kana Watanabe on April 22,2023, at Bellator 295.
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However at the weigh-ins, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane came in at 126.6 lb, 1.6 pounds over the women's flyweight limit for a title fight.
23.
The commission gave her an additional hour to cut weight, but Ilima-Lei Macfarlane came in at 128.2 lb.
24.
Ilima-Lei 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.
25.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane returned to grappling at Submission Underground 21 on March 28,2021 where she faced Jessica Eye.
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Ilima-Lei Macfarlane won the match by submission in EBI overtime.
27.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane was promoted to black belt by Richie Martinez at 10th Planet Jiu Jitsu San Diego on August 13,2023.