Bellator keeps two of their stars by resigning welterweight champion Douglas “The Phenom” Lima and women’s flyweight champion Ilima-Lei “The Ilimanator” Macfarlane to new multi-year multi-fight contracts. This was reported by MMA Junkie’s Nolan King and announced by Bellator yesterday.
In a statement taken by MMA Junkie, Bellator President Scott Coker said this regarding the announcement of Lima and Macfarlane resigning.
“Both Douglas Lima and Ilima-Lei Macfarlane continue to prove they are two of the most dominant fighters on the Bellator roster,ā Bellator president Scott Coker said in a statement. āThey made their Bellator debuts very early on in their careers, have climbed to the top of their respective divisions and have come to represent what this promotion is all about. As champions, both have taken on all challenges and have succeeded in every opportunity. I look forward to watching them continue their careers with us.ā
Lima is on a three-fight win streak and is the winner of the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. He defeated Andrey Koreshkov, Michael “Venom” Page and Rory McDonald to become the winner of the tournament and the welterweight champion. Lima is looking to be a two-division champion, as he wants to fight for the vacant middleweight championship. Lima is considered one of the best welterweights in MMA and fans have wondered how he would do in the UFC. At 32 years old, Lima may stay with Bellator for the rest of his career or at least for the foreseeable future. He has an MMA record of 32-7.
Macfarlane is coming off a win over Kate Jackson by unanimous decision at Bellator 236 on December 21, 2019. At 11-0, Macfarlane has become one of Bellator’s biggest star and has dominated the flyweight division as champion. Former UFC women’s bantamweight and flyweight Liz Carmouche who signed with Bellator at the end of last year could be a potential next opponent for Macfarlane. At 29 years old, Macfarlane is still on the rise to possibly becoming Bellator’s biggest star.