Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: Kate Jackson has next best ground skills in division

HONOLULU – Bellator flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane doesn’t plan heavily for the specifics.

Usually more focused on self-improvement than targeted game-planning for a specific opponent, Macfarlane (10-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA) recognizes the ground abilities of Kate Jackson. The English flyweight has five finish victories to her name and loves dragging the fight to the ground.

“(My coaches) are confident wherever I want to take the fight,” Macfarlane said. “When it comes to grappling with Kate Jackson, I am super excited. I will say that she has the best ground game next to mine in the division, even though our styles are a little bit different.

“I’m a little bit more submission-based and she’s a little bit more traditional Brazilian jiu-jitsu, positional stuff – but yeah, I think it’ll be exciting. It’s two technical fighters, who are good everywhere.”

Macfarlane and Jackson (11-3-1 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) will square off Saturday night in the main event of Bellator 236. The fight will mark the fourth time Macfarlane has put the title on the line since winning it in November 2017.

The event takes place at Neal S. Blaisdell Center in Honolulu. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Check out MMA Junkie’s full pre-fight interview with Bellator women’s flyweight champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane in the video above.