Bellator 236 Highlights: Macfarlane and McKee Victorious
Bellator 236 took place on December 21, 2019, at the Neal S. Blaisdell Arena in Honolulu, Hawaii. Ilima-Lei Macfarlane retained the women’s flyweight championship against Kate Jackson. A.J. McKee submitted Derek Campos in a featherweight grand prix quarterfinal, while Jason Jackson and Juliana Velasquez won supporting decisions.
Main Event: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane vs. Kate Jackson
The main event saw Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, the reigning women’s flyweight champion, defend her title against Kate Jackson. Macfarlane, fighting in front of her home crowd, delivered a dominant performance, winning by unanimous decision with scores of 50-45, 50-44, 50-44. Her victory was evidence of her control throughout the fight, as she frequently took Jackson to the canvas and pursued submissions, finishing with a strong ground-and-pound attack.
Co-Main Event: A.J. McKee vs. Derek Campos
McKee submitted Campos with an armbar at 1:08 of round three, advancing into the featherweight grand prix semifinals. The finish was an armbar rather than an arm-triangle choke. His victory preserved an unbeaten record and resolved a quarterfinal without requiring the judges.
Other Main Card Highlights
Jason Jackson defeated Kiichi Kunimoto unanimously on three 30–27 cards. Velasquez outpointed Bruna Ellen, while Raufeon Stots defeated Cheyden Leialoha and Zachary Zane beat Nainoa Dung by unanimous decision. Those supporting results rewarded work across the full three-round distance.
Event Significance
Macfarlane’s championship victory came on scores of 50–45, 50–44 and 50–44. It was her fourth successful title defense and took place in her home city. McKee’s tournament success carried a different consequence: advancement toward a future final rather than an immediate championship win.
Conclusion
The event combined a five-round title defense with tournament competition and supporting contender bouts. Hawaii provided the setting for Macfarlane’s home appearance, while the official results supply the competitive story. Broad claims about international expansion are unnecessary to explain a card held within the United States.
Why the Event Mattered
Macfarlane’s wide scorecards and McKee’s submission were the defining outcomes. One protected an existing belt; the other completed a step in an elimination bracket. The supporting decisions contrasted with McKee’s finish, giving the main card several different tests of control and endurance.
Sources
MMA Fighting: Bellator 236 results; MMA Fighting: championship and tournament recap; Event results record.
Article Tags
Bellator, Bellator 236, Mixed Martial Arts
