Champions Ilima-Lei MacFarlane and Douglas Lima Re-Sign With Bellator
Two of Bellator’s most popular champions will be remaining with the promotion for the foreseeable future.
According to a release sent out by Bellator, which was obtained by MyMMANews.com, both women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei MacFarlane and welterweight champion Douglas Lima have signed “multi-year, multi-fight contract extensions” to remain on the promotion’s roster.
“Both Douglas Lima and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane continue to prove they are two of the most dominant fighters on the Bellator roster,” Bellator President Scott Coker in the release. “They made their Bellator debuts very early on in their careers, have climbed to the top of their respective divisions and have come to represent what this promotion is all about.
“As champions, both have taken on all challenges and have succeeded in every opportunity. I look forward to watching them continue their careers with us.”
The 29-year-old MacFarlane, a native of Hawaii, has continued to ascend into one of Bellator’s brightest young stars, with a perfect 11-0 professional record that includes eight victories by way of stoppage. Possessing a strong submission arsenal and an ever-improving striking game, “The Illiminator” has compiled 10-straight wins inside of the Bellator cage and is coming off of a decision victory over Kate Jackson at Bellator 236 this past December.
Lima, meanwhile, has widely been considered to rank amongst the best welterweights in the world. At 32 years old, he owns a 32-7 professional record that includes an astounding 26 victories by way of stoppage. Recently, he’s won three-straight bouts, finishing Andrey Koreshkov and Michael Page before earning a decision over Rory MacDonald to reclaim the belt this past October.
As for what lies ahead, Lima has teased a move up to middleweight, while rematches against Page and veteran Paul Daley could also lie on the horizon. Who would you like to see the 170-pound champion take on next?
