TEMECULA, Calif. – A seven-fight resume doesn’t scream title shot, but Bellator women’s flyweight champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane isn’t surprised Veta Arteaga is her next title challenger.
“I thought Veta, she’s been on a rip right now, and she’s been performing,” Macfarlane (9-0 MMA, 8-0 BMMA) told MMA Junkie about her upcoming fight with Arteaga (5-2 MMA, 4-2 BMMA) at Bellator 220, which takes place April 27 at SAP Center in San Jose, Calif. “I was actually expecting to get Veta.”
Although she was largely unknown to casual MMA fans, Arteaga’s 2018 put her on the map with a pair of wins in bouts against Emily Ducote and Denise Kielholtz. A second-round submission of Bellator kickboxing champion Kielholtz turned out to be the tipping point for a title shot.
While her pro experience is limited, Arteaga is an impressive 4-2 as a Bellator fighter.
This past December, Macfarlane cemented herself as the dominant flyweight champ with a submission of onetime UFC strawweight title challenger Valerie Letourneau at Bellator 213. It was a turning point for her career and recognition, and she’s found a new sense of confidence she takes into the title defense opposite Arteaga.
“It’s interesting, because of course, I’m nervous for all of my fights,” she said. “I was especially nervous for the Valerie. With Veta, I’m just excited. And not because I’m overlooking her, but just because I think it’s going to be an exciting fight.”
Although Arteaga is known to brawl as much as she looks for submissions, Macfarlane won’t let any preconceived plan get in her way of finding the right path to victory.
“A lot of people are like, ‘Are you just going to stand and bang?’ And while a part of me does want to, it’s like, I’m giving her a chance. So I’ve got to keep continuing to do what I do, which is being smart fighter and not let my ego get in the way.”
Check out the above video to get Macfarlane’s thoughts on the fight, her training, and her plans for her next big walkout.
For more on Bellator 220, visit the MMA Rumors section of the site.
