Ilima-Lei Macfarlane files lawsuit alleging sexual abuse against former basketball coach

Photo Credit: Bellator MMA 

Bellator MMA flyweight champion, Ilima-Lei Macfarlane, along with her older sister, Mahina Macfarlane Souza, and an unnamed third party, has filed a lawsuit alleging sexual abuse by a former Punahou School basketball coach.

Macfarlane, her older sister, Mahina and the unnamed party has filed a lawsuit against Dwayne Yuen, naming the former basketball coach and the school itself, as defendants. In a report by, Hawaii News Now, the lawsuit details allegations of sexual abuse whilst the three of them were attendees of Punahou School.

"I had an inappropriate relationship with an adult who was in an authoritative position and a position of power, as a 12-year-old, and that has one-hundred per cent affected what I think is a healthy relationship," Macfarlane revealed.

In the lawsuit filed, the former basketball coach is alleged to have offered a sum of money in exchange for sexual acts, sent sexually explicit pictures of himself, and forced the three to touch his genitals. Ilima-Lei and Mahina told how they had reported Yuen to school admin, with their allegations falling on deaf ears.

Macfarlane, 30, explained how she believed the school was aware of the goings-on and revealed she began amateur wrestling as a result of the alleged abuse, after her goal of pursuing a career in professional basketball

"There was no follow at all, whatsoever, which was especially heartbreaking because I love Punahou," Macfarlane told. "I truly believe and know that they all knew what was going on, and it was just like a culture there. I ended up losing my love for basketball, which was crazy. That's what I wanted to do as a career. I wanted to play professional basketball in the WNBA."

The Honolulu native began her professional mixed-martial-arts back in January of 2015 and has managed to maintain an undefeated, 11-0 record. In just her seventh professional outing, the grappling ace secured the Bellator flyweight title, submitting Emily Ducote via a triangle armbar, taking the inaugural throne. Macfarlane has managed four successful title defences, finishing Alejandra Lara, Valérie Létourneau, and Veta Arteaga. Last December, the 10th. Planet Jiu-Jitsu brown belt managed a unanimous decision triumph over Kate Jackson.

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