Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: 'Why would I go to the UFC?'

[TheEmperorRises]

Champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane seems perfectly content fighting for Bellator.

Macfarlane (8-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), the organization’s reigning women’s flyweight champ, recently headlined Bellator 201 and scored a third-round submission victory over Alejandra Lara (7-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA).

Following the bout, which aired on Paramount from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., the 28-year-old fighter admitted she geeked out seeing former UFC champ and fellow Hawaiian B.J. Penn. However, she has no plans to fight in the UFC octagon herself

“Everybody always asks me, ‘Are you going to go to the UFC? What’s your plan?’ Why would I go to the UFC?” said Macfarlane, who’s 7-0 with five submissions since her Bellator debut in 2015.

Macfarlane would certainly be a competitive addition to the UFC’s burgeoning female flyweight division, but like a host of UFC vets who have signed with Bellator in recent years, she doesn’t necessarily see the UFC as an ultimate goal. She said she’s content where she’s at – in an organization that signed her after just a 1-0 pro record.

You’re seeing more and more fighters come from the UFC over to Bellator and – and not just any fighter (but) like, high-profile fighters; (UFC) Hall of Fame fighters are coming over to Bellator,” she said. “So, I think that’s just saying a lot about where our organization is going. …

“Why would I want to leave the people who believed in me and signed me from the beginning? I don’t think I would’ve even got a second look from other promotions. (Bellator President Scott Coker) was the one that believed in me.”

With her first Bellator title defense in the books, expect future ones from Macfarlane.

“I’m Bellator through and through,” she said.



Full story here:

Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: 'Why would I go to the UFC?'

 

[GSPTrainingInAPool]

This is talent scouting/development that paid off.

Champ & basically whole career with bellator. Well done!

 

[Wild]

Why go to the UFC? To be told what to wear, forfeit likeness rights, and get thrown under the bus by the promoter. What’s not to like.

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

I hate hate hearing this.

Even if it's 100% how she feels it's bad business.

Say that you're happy where you are but when your contract is up you'll explore available options.

Drive your price up!

 

[ejlarson]

Who?

 

[ejlarson]

Who?

That's why.

 

[Howard Moon]

I hate hate hearing this.

Even if it's 100% how she feels it's bad business.

Say that you're happy where you are but when your contract is up you'll explore available options.

Drive your price up!

Just me talking out my ass, but I get the feeling Coker is the type of person who is far more likely to reward something like this rather than use it for leverage like Egg would.

 

[Howard Moon]

Who?

You act like anyone outside of our tiny little niche has the slightest idea who Amanda Nunes or Thug Rose are.
Hell, I don't know who Nicco Montano is, and wikipedia tells me she has a UFC title.

 

[Lukewarm Carl]

Just me talking out my ass, but I get the feeling Coker is the type of person who is far more likely to reward something like this rather than use it for leverage like Egg would.

While you're not wrong, it's still a slippery slope to rely on the generosity of your boss instead of finding out what your worth really is.

 

[wanderlei_sonnen]

Why go to the UFC? To be told what to wear, forfeit likeness rights, and get thrown under the bus by the promoter. What’s not to like.

So UFC nuthuggers can have more respect for you, duh

 

[SensoriaUtopia]

Just me talking out my ass, but I get the feeling Coker is the type of person who is far more likely to reward something like this rather than use it for leverage like Egg would.

For the most part you are right, there is a reason fighters hate Dana and love Coker. Goes back to his strikeforce days, he generates good karma

 

[SensoriaUtopia]

While you're not wrong, it's still a slippery slope to rely on the generosity of your boss instead of finding out what your worth really is.

YOu may be looking at it wrong, when it comes time to negotiate her contract, her and her people are going to be going for most they can get, what she is saying is Bellator is rising, it is no matter what @FrankieNYC tries to spin. She is making a statement that she is with an org that treats her well, it is a subtle jab at WME and their shitty practices.

Fighters are finally seeing the truth

 

[ejlarson]

You act like anyone outside of our tiny little niche has the slightest idea who Amanda Nunes or Thug Rose are.
Hell, I don't know who Nicco Montano is, and wikipedia tells me she has a UFC title.

Haha. Dang it, you got me there. I got nothin. I don't know who Nicco is either. I would like to think that UFC has a bigger audience but heck, who even knows anymore. And to think, Hogan wants MORE weight classes. Lol!!!

 

[Buff Bagginz]

Coker is big on loyalty. It feels like Bellator is finally at the turning point, just like Strikeforce.

As long as Coker is around, the UFC will always be in competition with him, but it's good for business for all parties.

 

[Howard Moon]

Haha. Dang it, you got me there. I got nothin. I don't know who Nicco is either. I would like to think that UFC has a bigger audience but heck, who even knows anymore. And to think, Hogan wants MORE weight classes. Lol!!!

I have no problem with WMMA in general(Invicta, etc), I just wish they had 4 fewer women's weight classes in the UFC.

 

[Dat Pre-HollyHolm Ronda $]

Champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane seems perfectly content fighting for Bellator.

Macfarlane (8-0 MMA, 7-0 BMMA), the organization’s reigning women’s flyweight champ, recently headlined Bellator 201 and scored a third-round submission victory over Alejandra Lara (7-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA).

Following the bout, which aired on Paramount from Pechanga Resort and Casino in Temecula, Calif., the 28-year-old fighter admitted she geeked out seeing former UFC champ and fellow Hawaiian B.J. Penn. However, she has no plans to fight in the UFC octagon herself

“Everybody always asks me, ‘Are you going to go to the UFC? What’s your plan?’ Why would I go to the UFC?” said Macfarlane, who’s 7-0 with five submissions since her Bellator debut in 2015.

Macfarlane would certainly be a competitive addition to the UFC’s burgeoning female flyweight division, but like a host of UFC vets who have signed with Bellator in recent years, she doesn’t necessarily see the UFC as an ultimate goal. She said she’s content where she’s at – in an organization that signed her after just a 1-0 pro record.

You’re seeing more and more fighters come from the UFC over to Bellator and – and not just any fighter (but) like, high-profile fighters; (UFC) Hall of Fame fighters are coming over to Bellator,” she said. “So, I think that’s just saying a lot about where our organization is going. …

“Why would I want to leave the people who believed in me and signed me from the beginning? I don’t think I would’ve even got a second look from other promotions. (Bellator President Scott Coker) was the one that believed in me.”

With her first Bellator title defense in the books, expect future ones from Macfarlane.

“I’m Bellator through and through,” she said.



Full story here:

Bellator champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane: 'Why would I go to the UFC?'

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane was never my friend and she doesn't wanna be a fucking fighter either -Egg

 

[Yossarian]

While you're not wrong, it's still a slippery slope to rely on the generosity of your boss instead of finding out what your worth really is.

Ask Askren.