Ilima-Lei Macfarlane is defending the Bellator MMA Women’s Flyweight Title against Veta Arteaga this April at Bellator 220.
The champion is quick to compare Arteaga to a former foe in Rebecca Ruth, whom Macfarlane claims was her toughest opponent to date.
“I’m actually really excited for this one, I think Veta’s super tough. And kind of like the last brawler I went against…I’m not saying she’s just a brawler, she does…she is technical and well-rounded. But someone as aggressive as she is is like Rebecca Ruth and that was one of my hardest fights ever, to this day…it’s still my hardest fight. I’m really excited about this match up and I know she’s gonna bring it,” says Macfarlane to Fightful’s James Lynch during a Bellator 214 media scrum.
Ruth and Macfarlane met back at Bellator 157 in June of 2016, a bout that saw Macfarlane score a second round submission win.
Some were shocked that Macfarlane is back in action so soon, but the champion says she asked to fight right away.
“Yeah (it was the right amount of time off), people are kind of surprised that I’m back in so soon. I do like to stay active, especially because I tend to put on a lot of pounds and I vacation for a very long time. I asked Bellator, saying ‘can you put me in sooner, rather than later?’ I know how I work now and I’m like ‘I need to get in there or I’m just gonna be like chillin’ and taking way too much time (off),” says Macfarlane.
Bellator 220 takes place on Saturday, April 27 from the SAP Center in San Jose, California with Rory MacDonald and Jon Fitch headlining. Fightful is providing live coverage of the event, which airs live on the Paramount Network.
