MMA A stacked card highlights a history-making event in Hawaii for Bellator Bellator will look to end 2018 on a very high note with some of their best talent by Daniel Yanofsky September 19, 2018 For the first time ever, a major MMA promotion will be heading to Hawaii. What, did you think it was the UFC? Think again, as Bellator is bringing in the big guns for what should be a game-changing event for the company. On December 15, Bellator presents Bellator Hawaii, taking place inside The Neal S. Blaidsdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. Several key matches are already confirmed for the card, including a very popular local. In the main event, lima-Lei Macfarlane will defend her Flyweight Championship against Valerie Letourneau. This will be Macfarlane’s (8-0) second defense of the title she won in its inception in 2017. A native of Hawaii, Macfarlane has been taking on the press all week, becoming a true figure many MMA fans can get behind. After an impressive outing against Kristina Williams at Bellator 201, Letourneau (10-6) cut the contender line and is looking to become a foil in Macfarlane’s homecoming. She is 2-0 since joining Bellator after a stint in the UFC where she went 3-3. Another fight added to the card features a legend facing off against a Bellator mainstay. Lyoto Machida faces Rafael Carvalho in a middleweight bout. Machida (24-8) was introduced by the company at the Bellator/DAZN partnership unveiling. A former UFC Light Heavyweight Champion, Machida has wins over the likes of Tito Ortiz, “Shogun” Rua and Dan Henderson, among others. As the former Bellator Middleweight Champion, Carvalho (15-2) is looking for redemption. Losing the title to Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 200 might have set him back some, but the 32 year old will look to get back to contention with a win over Machida. Finally, a a quarter-final bout in the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix will take place. Neiman Gracie, of the legendary Gracie family, will face Ed Ruth. Both local fighters have something to prove. Gracie (8-0) was a surprise pick for the tournament, but has been turning heads in the world of MMA. Ruth (6-0) is considered a favorite, especially considering his multi-sport background. The former NCAA Division 1 National Champion wrestler in Ruth has a vicious punch and will try and knock out a submission specialist in Gracie. Tickets for Bellator Hawaii go on sale this Friday at Ticketmaster.com. The card will air exclusively on DAZN. Post Views: 959 The following two tabs change content below.BioLatest Posts Daniel Yanofsky Baseball Editor, Misc. Sports Editor. Covers all things combat sports (MMA, Pro Wrestling and Boxing). When he's not writing, Daniel hosts a podcast, The Main Event. Latest posts by Daniel Yanofsky (see all) Mets hire Luis Rojas to replace Carlos Beltran as manager - January 23, 2020 An Outsider’s 2020 Hall of Fame Ballot - January 21, 2020 A Wild Yo Sighting: Yoenis Cespedes participates in running, fielding and hitting drills - January 21, 2020 Following Conor McGregor’s win at UFC 246, is “The King” truly back? - January 20, 2020 Related TopicsbellatorBellator HawaiiBellator MMADAZNEd Ruthlima-Lei MacfarlaneLocal AthletesLyoto MachidammaNeiman GracieRafael CarvalhoValerie Letourneau 2 Comments You must be logged in to post a comment Login Leave a Reply Cancel replyYou must be logged in to post a comment. Newsletter Subscription Can't Miss Posts! Women in Sports: NHL Network Host, Jackie Redmond by Nicholas Durst | posted on March 4, 2019 Women in Sports: Ariel Epstein, On-Air Host at SportsGrid (VIDEO) by Anthony Paradiso | posted on March 12, 2021 A Conversation with Nancy Newman: “We Are All a Yankee Family” by Elizabeth DiPietro | posted on July 27, 2020 Women in Sports: Podcast Host, New York Riptide Sideline Reporter, Dani Wexelman by Luke Porco | posted on March 3, 2020 Fighting Words: Bellator is Giving Hardy the Credit She Deserves by Kristine Haugsjaa | posted on October 20, 2017 More in MMA The Mockery of A Sport: Paul vs. Askren Jake Paul and Ben Askren are set to fight tonight, and as a fan... The Leverage Game: What’s Going on Between Jon Jones and UFC? After Francis Ngannou knocked out Stipe Miocic, fight fans everywhere were already excited about... Athletes and their “Charitable” Contributions The other day I was watching TV when I saw a commercial for Conor... Should the Holloway vs. Katter fight have been Stopped in the 4th Round? Dana White thought so… In my honest opinion, when it comes to sports there is nothing like watching... The World Will Be Watching: UFC to host Times Square viewing party for Conor McGregor v. Khabib Nurmagomedov press conference “King Mo” to return at Bellator in their Hawaii debut against Liam McGeary