Hawai’i’s Ilima MacFarlane made her pro debut vs. Katie Castro at Xplode Fight Series: Hurricane on January 17, 2015. The fight was infamous, with Castro, dubbed ‘The Soccer Mom’, falling face first in 10 seconds, under a cage post that read Philly Steak Subs and Tomato Can MMA.
These things happen in mixed martial arts.
MacFarlane then signed with Bellator MMA, and has gone 3-0 since.
Bellator MMA does not yet have a 125 pound flyweight championship, but MacFarlane still wants to position herself for the first title fight. So she is calling out Russia’s Anastasia Yankova, colorfully.
I want to fight Anastasia Yankova, and not because she’s done really well inside the cage, said MacFarlane to Mike Bohn for MMAjunkie. Honestly, she he has only fought once and it was against an opponent making her debut at a catchweight, which isn’t all that impressive. But, seeing all of the hype surrounding her, I think a fight between the two of us would be great for promotional purposes.
I’m not really sure who would further my claim for a title shot, but I think a win over Anastasia would definitely further my chances of making out with her. I’m not sure if my desire to fight her has more to do with my hopes for a title shot, or a hidden sexual tension I feel between us. Either way, I’m game.
I think the mental aspect of fighting is where I have experienced the most development. It’s been tough for me, fighting the stigma that came along with my professional debut that was labeled as the ‘soccer mom fight.’ I think that put some doubt in me and made me think that maybe this sport isn’t for me.
I think I definitely developed in the mental aspect of the game. Now I know that I am cut out for this and I can do it successfully. It definitely has a lot to do with me feeling more comfortable in the cage and believing in myself as a fighter. Each fight that I take is further validation for me that I am the top flyweight in Bellator, so I think I’m just gaining more confidence.
I know that [Bellator President] Scott [Coker] said that he would like to crown a champion by the end of the year, but I really don’t know when that would be. But, I definitely think that I’m the front-runner in the division. I’ve already fought three times. I’ve fought the most out of all of the female fighters that Bellator MMA has signed and I have won all of my fights.
I thought that Rebecca Ruth was the other contender and having decisively beaten her, I think I solidified myself as the front-runner. If Bellator thought it was the right timing and thought I was ready, then I’m game. My camp has been preparing me for a title shot since my win over Ruth, so I’m ready whenever they are.
Yankova is currently 3-0. Follow her on IG…
