Ilima-Lei Macfarlane captured the Bellator MMA Women?s Flyweight Title with a fifth round submission win over Emily Ducote at Bellator 186.
The fighter isn?t content to just sit on her thrown as champion, but wants to use her new found fame and glory to help others.
That is why Macfarlane has started a scholarship program for indigenous girls in conjunction with the Native Like Water InterTribal Youth Program.
Macfarlane has dubbed the scholarship program to be The Ilimanator Inaugural Scholarship and she has already donated $2,000 to help the indigenous girls.
It was through Twitter that Macfarlane made the announcement about the program:
Outside of MMA, one thing that Macfarlane has done was to educate herself, as the champion graduated from San Diego State University as a cultural anthropology major. The Bellator title holder also holds a Master?s degree in liberal arts and science with a focus on indigenous issues.
Others from the MMA community have started noticing what Macfarlane has done and have started giving their own funds to the cause. Combate Americas fighter Kyra Batara has also decided to donate $2,000 from an upcoming fight purse to help the scholarship fund according to MMA Fighting.
Also according to MMA Fighting, $1,500 is the cost for room, board and travel for each girl who gets accepted for the program.
There is currently no date set yet for Macfarlane to make the first defense of her championship, but the fighter is keeping busy with her new scholarship program during that off time.
If you would like to donate to the fund, you can do so by clicking here.