WATCH: Juliana Velasquez Defeats Ilima-Lei Macfarlane To Become Bellator Champion
The Bellator Women’s Flyweight Title fight between Ilima-Lei Macfarlane and Juliana Velasquez is in the books.
Macfarlane and Velasquez did battle in the main event of Bellator 254. The title bout was held inside an empty Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut. This was the fifth time Macfarlane put the women’s 125-pound gold on the line. For Velasquez, this was her first world title opportunity.
It was clear in the fight that Macfarlane had difficulty getting on the inside. Velasquez was able to utilize her slight reach advantage and her southpaw style to throw Macfarlane off. Macfarlane was in search of takedowns but Velasquez was able to thwart those attempts. Macfarlane suffered a cut in the fight and a bloody nose.
Macfarlane did take Velasquez down in the fourth round but couldn’t get much going. Macfarlane found herself on her back in the final frame but she got back up. The bout went the distance and Velasquez was awarded the unanimous decision win.
You can catch highlights of Macfarlane vs. Velasquez above courtesy of the Bellator MMA Twitter account.
Here are the final 3️⃣0️⃣ seconds of round number 1️⃣.
How do you have @Ilimanator vs. @JuVelasquezMMA scored thus far?#MMA #Bellator254 #Bellator #USOHolidays pic.twitter.com/wGlYvtw5ay
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 11, 2020
🦵💥 That connected!@JuVelasquezMMA and @Ilimanator are headed into the championship rounds of their #Bellator254 main event LIVE & FREE now on @CBSSportsNet.#USOHolidays #MMA #Bellator pic.twitter.com/XYzq31wFEf
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 11, 2020
💪 @Ilimanator gets the takedown late in round 4️⃣.
The 5️⃣th and final round of this title fight is up next LIVE on @CBSSportsNet in the 🇺🇸 and with @SkySports Mix in the 🇬🇧.#MMA #Bellator254 #Bellator #USOHolidays pic.twitter.com/S7isWHlm68
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 11, 2020
#AndNew 👊 @JuVelasquezMMA is your new flyweight world champ!#Bellator254 #MMA #Bellator pic.twitter.com/dRIJOGM4bH
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) December 11, 2020