One of the most dominant champions in Bellator history will return in December against a fellow unbeaten challenger.
Women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei Macfarlane (11-0 MMA, 10-0 BMMA) will take on challenger Juliana Velasquez (10-0 MMA, 5-0 BMMA) at Bellator 254. MMA Junkie confirmed the booking with a promotion official following an initial report from ESPN.com.
Bellator 254 will take place Dec. 10 at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card will air on CBS Sports Network following prelims on MMA Junkie.
Macfarlane had to go the distance for the first time in a title fight in December 2019 in her native Honolulu when she took a unanimous decision from Kate Jackson in the Bellator 236 headliner. Prior to that, her three title defenses were third-round stoppages, and her win over Emily Ducote to claim the belt in November 2017 was a fifth-round submission.
Velasquez most recently fought on the same Bellator 236 card that Macfarlane beat Jackson at. She took a decision from Bruna Ellen in a bout widely considered to be a title eliminator. It kept her undefeated on the heels of a second-round knockout of Kristina Williams in July 2019.