Ilima Lei-MacFarlane Defeats Veta Arteaga Via Third-Round TKO, Bout Stopped By A Doctor After A Brutal Elbow!
Bellator 220 is happening live now from inside of SAP Center in San Jose, California tonight (Saturday, April 27, 2019). In the co-main event of the evening, the current undefeated Flyweight champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane defends her belt against dangerous tough challenger Veta Arteaga.
The third man in the Octagon is Jason Herzog. The fight kicks off!
Round 1
This is a great bout, MacFarlane goes for a takedown, presses the rival against the cage. It seems Arteaga defends well, her hips are very low.
Arteaga is a great defensive fighter…for now. MacFarlane goes forward, takes her down, but she gets up again. Now she is pressed against the fence.
Wow, Mac-Farlane had both hooks in, takes her down, this might be the end of the bout!
Oh, no, Ilima transits to an armbar, but Arteaga survives and slips away. It seems Arteaga delivers big fists, but Arteaga is in trouble, her leg is trapped. Punches to the thigh, but this ankle lock looks tight.
Arteaga got up and removed her leg, now this looks great! Amazing match! Fighters separate.
Arteaga fights toe-to-toe, she looks angry. Brutal exchange. Arteaga delivers a big knee off the clinch, but the opponent reverses her. Both warriors against the fence. Fighters separate. Wow, amazing punch by Arteaga, great takedown attempt, stuffed. I don’t know who won.
Round 2
MacFarlane lands a jab and slips out of danger. Wow, Mac-Farlane drags Arteaga and ends up in full guard. Arteaga tries to use rival’s guard against her. Mac-Farlane presses her hard, she is dominant in the first few minutes of the round. Great strike!
It seems Mac-Farlane broke her nose.
Fighters move well, Arteaga keeps trading shots and going forward. Good low kick Ilima. Excellent tactical bout on both sides. Great low kick. Wow, left punch by Arteaga and MacFarlane is rocked! The end of the round, 10-9 Arteaga.
Round 3
Wow, fighters are on the fence, and the round didn’t even start! Arteaga is on the fence, it seems Ilima wants to take her down as soon as possible. MacFarlane grabs her left leg and takes her down, ends up in the full guard.
MacFarlane cut her open with a great elbow, but Veta goes for an armbar. And an up-kick attempt, but Ilima pushes her to the fence. Wow, the cut is nasty, let’s see what happens!
I highly doubt the doctor will let her continue. Oh no, the referee stops the fight, the doctor didn’t let Veta continue!
Check out the highlights below:
Nicely done by the champ! @Ilimanator with the takedown in round one!#Bellator220 pic.twitter.com/1rPNd78VDn
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 28, 2019
Big elbow from the champ, @Ilimanator in round two. 💪💥 pic.twitter.com/sTAlCSajzk
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 28, 2019
🍍💪@Ilimanator's elbow finishes the fight tonight and she remains the flyweight women's world champ.#Bellator220 #AndStill pic.twitter.com/QdO2DRGTEI
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 28, 2019
Catch the FULL FIRST ROUND between the champ – @Ilimanator and the challenger – @Ms_Veta at #Bellator220. pic.twitter.com/LTQfArg26o
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) April 28, 2019
Final Result: Ilima Lei-MacFarlane defeats Veta Arteaga via TKO (doctor stoppage), round 3, 1:50
Veta Arteaga drops to (5-3 MMA, 4-3 BMMA), Ilima-Lei Macfarlane improves the score to 10-0 MMA, 9-0 BMMA.
