Bellator free fight: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane submits Valerie Letourneau in Hawaii

On Thursday, Bellator women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane will return for her fifth title defense.

Macfarlane (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA) takes on undefeated challenger Juliana Velasquez in the main event of Bellator 254, which takes place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card airs on CBS Sports Network after prelims on MMA Junkie.

Macfarlane’s title run began in November 2017 at Bellator 186 with a submission of Emily Ducote to win the vacant 125-pound belt. Since then, Macfarlane successfully has defended her title four times, including her second title defense against Valerie Letourneau in December 2018.

That night at Bellator 213 in her native Hawaii, Macfarlane kept her winning streak alive, as the bout did not even see the championship rounds. Macfarlane rudely welcomed Letourneau to the promotion by submitting the Canadian fighter with a triangle choke in Round 3.

Before Macfarlane steps in the cage against Velasquez (10-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) at Bellator 254, relive her win over Letourneau in the video above.