Ilima-Lei Macfarlane Suffers TKO Loss to Liz Carmouche in Bellator 300
In a stunning turn of events, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane experienced a fifth-round TKO loss to her former training partner, Liz Carmouche, during the opening main card bout of Bellator 300 at the Pechanga Arena in San Diego. The match took an unexpected turn when Macfarlane’s left leg was injured by a powerful kick in the third round, setting the stage for a dramatic finish.
In the fifth round, Macfarlane’s already compromised leg could not withstand another brutal kick from Carmouche. She let out a cry of pain as she fell to the mat, bringing an abrupt end to the fight just 17 seconds into the final round. Witnessing the distressing scene, the referee waved off the match, resulting in Macfarlane’s first-ever defeat by finish.
Macfarlane, who boasts an impressive record of 13 wins and only 3 losses in her professional career, has been a dominant force in the Bellator promotion. Prior to this defeat, she had never been finished in a fight, making Carmouche’s victory all the more impressive. Carmouche, with a record of 20 wins and 7 losses, has now finished 6 out of her 7 matches in the Bellator organization.
What adds an extra layer of complexity to this fight is the close bond between the two combatants. Macfarlane and Carmouche had been training together in San Diego for years until Carmouche decided to switch gyms. The emotional toll of fighting a friend was not lost on Carmouche, who acknowledged the pivotal role Macfarlane played in establishing the women’s 125-pound division in Bellator. She expressed gratitude towards Macfarlane, stating, If it wasn’t for Ilima, I wouldn’t be here. Nobody else would.
Meanwhile, on the preliminary card, Kai Kamaka, a proud alumnus of Kamehameha, secured a hard-fought split-decision victory against the ninth-ranked featherweight, Henry Corrales. Kamaka, who now holds a record of 12 wins, 5 losses, and 1 draw, managed to win all three rounds on one judge’s scorecard. The remaining two judges scored the fight 29-28 in favor of each fighter, highlighting the closely contested nature of the bout. The loss dealt a setback to Corrales, who dropped to a record of 21 wins and 7 losses, marking his first defeat in his last four fights.
The outcome of Bellator 300 showcased the unpredictable nature of combat sports and the ever-present possibility of upsets. Despite the disappointment suffered by Macfarlane and Corrales, their performances should be commended, as they displayed tremendous skill and resilience inside the cage. As the Bellator promotion continues to provide exciting matchups and unforgettable moments for fight fans, it remains to be seen how Macfarlane and Carmouche will move forward in their respective careers following this poignant meeting in the octagon.
