Vanessa Nakate to Open Giving Black Conference 2026 With Climate Justice Keynote
1 week ago
United States Ilima-Lei Macfarlane has built a career as a professional mixed martial artist, transitioning from collegiate athletics to becoming the inaugural Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion while actively championing Indigenous women and youth.
Founder and Native Hawaiian advocate, committed to uplifting and protecting Indigenous women and youth through self-defense seminars and group retreats. The foundation also accidentally raised millions for Hawaii wildfire relief.
Long-standing professional fighter, former inaugural Bellator Women's Flyweight World Champion, and signed a ten-fight, five-year extension contract in 2020.
Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, born on April 2, 1990, in Honolulu, Hawaii, began her athletic journey in basketball. After facing knee injuries, she shifted her focus, graduating from Punahou School in 2009. She pursued higher education, earning a Bachelor’s Degree in Anthropology from San Diego State University in 2013 and later commencing a Master of Arts in Liberal Studies at the same institution. During her academic pursuits, Macfarlane discovered mixed martial arts. Her initial foray into MMA started with training at a CrossFit gym and Liz Carmouche’s MMA gym, eventually leading her to dedicated training at the San Diego Combat Academy. In 2014, she embarked on her amateur MMA career, competing five times that year and remaining undefeated.
Macfarlane’s professional MMA debut in 2015 was an unsanctioned bout against Katie Castro for Xplode Fight Series, which she won by technical knockout in ten seconds. The viral video of this match prompted an investigation by the California State Athletic Commission into unsanctioned events. Following this, Macfarlane signed a three-fight contract with Bellator MMA. Her Bellator debut came in August 2015 at Bellator 141, where she secured a split decision victory over Maria Rios. She continued her impressive run in Bellator, achieving submission victories against Amber Tackett at Bellator 148 and Rebecca Ruth at Bellator 157, followed by a unanimous decision win over Emily Ducote at Bellator 167.
A significant milestone in Macfarlane’s career was her rematch with Emily Ducote at Bellator 186 in November 2017, where she competed for and won the inaugural Bellator Women’s Flyweight World Championship with an armbar variation in the fifth round. She successfully defended her title four times, defeating Alejandra Lara via armbar at Bellator 201 in June 2018, Valérie Létourneau via submission in Bellator 213 in her hometown of Honolulu in December 2018, Veta Arteaga via doctor’s stoppage at Bellator 220 in April 2019, and Kate Jackson via unanimous decision at Bellator 236 in December 2019. In February 2020, she signed a ten-fight, five-year extension contract with Bellator, solidifying her commitment to the organization. Her title reign concluded in December 2020 at Bellator 254, where she lost to Juliana Velasquez via unanimous decision. Despite this, Macfarlane has continued to compete, demonstrating resilience after knee surgery and rehab, returning to the cage in April 2022 at Bellator 279, followed by victories against Bruna Ellen at Bellator 284 in August 2022 and Kana Watanabe at Bellator 295 in April 2023. Beyond her fighting career, Macfarlane is a black belt in 10th Planet Jiu-Jitsu and the founder of the Nā Wahine Toa Foundation.
Curious about our offerings or have inquiries? We're eager to assist!
Just complete the form, and we'll respond promptly.
