Ilima Lei-Macfarlane Says She Fangirled Over B.J. Penn Before Bellator 201 Win

Ilima Lei-Macfarlane spoke following her win over Alejandra Lara at Bellator 201 and discussed running into B.J. Penn. You can see the interview below via Twitter, in which Macfarlane talked about running into Penn when she went to get something to eat before the fight.

“Oh my gosh,” Macfarlane said. “I was totally starstruck earlier. So, this was maybe aroindd 3:30, 4 o’clock. I got hungry, so I went down to the lobby. And already I’m super annoyed. I mean, because I’m trying to get in the zone, and everybody is coming up to me, asking for pictures. I’m just trying to get food and go straight up to my room. And then Rich (Chou), the matchmaker, he comes up. He’s like, ‘Hey, Ilima, one of my friends really wants to meet you.’ So I was just like, ugh. And I turn around, and it’s B.J. I’m like, ‘Oh my gosh, B.J. Penn! Hi!’ I totally fangirled over him.”

Macfarlane beat Lara via a third-round armbar submission at the show.

To say @BellatorMMA champ Ilima-Lei Macfarlane geeked out when she met B.J. Penn (@bjpenndotcom) at #Bellator201 would be an understatement.

More on @ilimanator here: https://t.co/fDFwBGH2MT pic.twitter.com/t7UdtUHoap

— MMA Junkie (@MMAJunkie) June 30, 2018