HONOLULU – Ilima-Lei Macfarlane seems to have a love-hate relationship with fighting at home.
The Bellator flyweight champion loves defending her belt in her home state of Hawaii, but at the same time experiences stresses that are not present when she competes anywhere else. Macfarlane (10-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA), who is set to defend her title on Saturday night against Kate Jackson in the main event of Bellator 236, opened up about the struggles of fighting at home following her Wednesday open workout
“It’s super special to me, but I always joke around and say, ‘I don’t know if I have the emotional capacity to fight every single time in Hawaii,’” Macfarlane told MMA Junkie. “If we were to do two shows a year, I’m like, ‘Ah, I just want it just once a year.’ But it’s nice to go away sometimes, but of course it’s amazing coming back home. But seriously, it’s crazy when I come back home, so yeah, I’m very happy with how it is now and of course the goal is to keep bringing it (Bellator) back.”
Bellator 236, which is being held Saturday, one night after Bellator 235, marks the second trip to in Hawaii by the promotion. The first trip to the Pacific islands was for Bellator 212 and Bellator 213 in December of 2018. Bellator 213, which Macfarlane headlined, carried more firepower in terms of promotion, as it had many notable fighters such as Lyoto Machida, Neiman Gracie, Muhammed Lawal and Ed Ruth just to name a few.
Macfarlane says Saturday’s event feels less stressful than last year’s card.
“It’s so much more chill this time around,” Macfarlane said. “The first time was crazy, my emotions were all over the place. But yeah, it’s a lot more chill, which I kind of prefer, less stress.”
But regardless if the event is smaller than the first one, Macfarlane represents Hawaii either way, which is not an easy load to handle, specially being champion.
“I feel like I carry the Islands on my shoulders when I’m on a platform like this and I’m okay with that, I welcome it now,” Macfarlane said. “I don’t want to say that’s my main goal on Saturday, my main goal is to defend my belt, but my other really big goal is to represent my home, my culture, and my people to the best of my ability and to share things that the world might not know otherwise.”
Despite the pressure being on, Macfarlane does have her people to fall back on. Something she can’t get to the same level anywhere else.
“I say this time and time again, but we have the best support system,” Macfarlane said. “Hawaii is not just your bandwagon fans if you win or lose. Like if you lose, they’re not just going to fall off your bandwagon, they’re there ride or die.
“So even if I get knocked out in the first round they’re still going to be there, they’re still going to love me. so I feel less pressure in that sense when I fight at home.”
Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane on fighting in Hawaii: 'I carry the Islands on my shoulders'
