Bellator 300: Ilima-Lei Macfarlane misses weight three times for Liz Carmouche fight

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane tried three times to make the weight

Ilima-Lei Macfarlane missed weight for her flyweight title fight against Liz Carmouche on Saturday in San Diego.

The Hawaiian fighter was 126.6lbs after failing three times to make the 125lbs limit.

Macfarlane's official weight will be her second attempt after weighing in at 128.2lbs for her final effort.

Carmouche can only now retain or lose her title, but Bellator 300's other two title fights, lightweight and women's featherweight, are safe.

Bellator 300 is a landmark event for the MMA promotion and originally had four title fights on the card before Briton Linton Vassell withdrew earlier this week from his contest with heavyweight champion Ryan Bader.

Lightweight champion Usman Nurmagomedov and Brent Primus and women's featherweight champion Cris Cyborg and Cat Zingano made weight for their fights

Bellator's first flyweight champion Macfarlane, 33, was hoping to regain the belt she lost in 2020 and has said she is considering retirement soon.

• Northern Ireland's McCourt aims to reignite title charge

• Carmouche vs Macfarlane: From best friends to foes

American fighter Carmouche, 39, is defending her title for the third time and it is the second time in a row the champion has fought a challenger who missed weight.

Macfarlane was 127.4lbs for the first attempt before fluctuating in weight for the next two attempts.

Carmouche and Macfarlane are long-time friends having trained together in San Diego, with Macfarlane crediting her rival with getting her into MMA.

Russia's Nurmagomedov, 25, aims to continue his undefeated streak in his 17th professional fight.

Usman Nurmagomedov (L) defends his lightweight title against Brent Primus

Former champion Primus, 38, is a big underdog, but a place in the final of Bellator's grand prix final awaits the winner.

Featherweight champion Cyborg returns to the Bellator cage for the first time since signing a new contract with the promotion.

The Brazilian is on a six-fight winning streak and faces American contender Zingano in a fight that has been talked about since both were competing in the Ultimate Fighting Championship.