Ilima-Lei Macfarlane’s last competitive event at Blaisdell Arena attracted a few thousand people.
Only a small sliver of that crowd was in her corner.
A lot has changed since the Punahou alumna won a state title in girls wrestling as a senior. Nine years later, a nearly sold-out Blaisdell Arena will be fully behind the Bellator flyweight champion as Macfarlane defends her title against Valerie Letourneau in the main event of Bellator 213 tonight.
“For sure, I’m going to have to keep (the emotions) in check, especially the walkout,” Macfarlane said Wednesday after an open workout at Hilton Hawaiian Village.
Bellator, the second-largest mixed martial arts organization in the United States, has done what the UFC has never done — brought a show to Hawaii.
Saturday’s event is the second of back-to-back fight cards at the arena.
Bellator 212 took place Friday in front of a crowd of primarily members of the military.
In the main event, Michael Chandler defeated Brent Primus by unanimous decision to win back the Bellator lightweight world title
In the co-main event, Javy Ayala submitted Frank Mir — a former UFC champion — via strikes.
In the other main card fights, A.J. McKee def. Daniel Crawford via submission (anaconda choke) at 3:19 of Round 1.
Also, Juliana Velasquez defeated Alejandra Lara via split decision, as did Sam Sicilia over Derek Campos.
Saturday’s card will be broadcast on the DAZN streaming service.
This entire week was made possible by Macfarlane’s rise to prominence in three short years since making her pro debut in 2015.
Macfarlane is 8-0 overall, with seven of her wins in Bellator. She’s won six of her eight fights by stoppage, with five of her last six wins ending with a submission.
“She has a really, really good ground game,” said Letourneau (10-6), who has won both of her Bellator fights by unanimous decision “She’s a great grappler and also she’s very calm and she’s very composed.”
Although she hinted she might temporarily lose that composure on her way to the cage Saturday, Macfarlane has kept her routine as normal as possible this week.
“I kind of like to distract myself fight week. Not (let it) get into my head,” Macfarlane said. “That is probably going to be the most emotional I get this whole fight week is during the walkout, but as soon as I get in that cage, it’s all business.”
As part of keeping her fight week routine, Macfarlane visited her alma mater on Tuesday to spend time with students, including a few members of the wrestling team.
Punahou has played a big part in the Macfarlane family. Ilima-Lei’s father, Walter, was a three-sport athlete in basketball, football and track and was inducted into the Buffanblu Hall of Champions in 2018.
Sister Milia was the state player of the year in girls volleyball in 2000 and the school’s female athlete of the year as a senior before playing four years for the Rainbow Wahine basketball team.
“It’s a very special place and I always find the time when I’m home no matter how much time I have to go visit my teachers and faculty members,” Ilima-Lei Macfarlane said. “We talked about carving your own path despite societal pressures. Here I am an MMA fighter — I’m pretty sure the only MMA fighter ever from Punahou — telling them to find their own way and find their own path and be their own person.”
Macfarlane’s path has taken her to a cage and she’s embraced the entire journey that has brought her home.
UFC Hall of Famer B.J. Penn won world titles in multiple weight classes and current featherweight champion Max Holloway has dominated the division for five years, winning 13 straight fights.
Yet neither has done what Macfarlane accomplished this week: brought a major MMA organization to the islands.
“Did I think it was going to be this soon after I called it out on the mic after my last fight? No way,” Macfarlane said. “I was very impressed they were able to do it with my next fight. I was grateful and I was like, you know what, all of the added pressure of coming home and everything this is what I want and this is what I asked for.
“It’s finally here. Let’s do the damn thing.”