Douglas Lima will get the opportunity to become a two-division champion, as the Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion will take on Gegard Mousasi, who is a former middleweight champion. Both men will fight for the vacant middleweight title on May 9.
The fight was made due to Rafeal Lovato Jr. being forced to relinquish the championship due to serious medical issues. Lovato Jr. defeated Mousasi at Bellator 223 to win the prestigious belt.
The reigning Bellator MMA Welterweight Champion is currently on a three-fight winning streak. Its been over ten years since Lima has competed as a middleweight; however, the fighter have some success within the division as he's the 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix winner. Lima’s professional record currently stands at 32 wins and 7 losses.
Mousasi is coming off his win over Lyoto Machida at Bellator 228. The former middleweight champion won the belt back at Bellator 200 by defeating Rafael Carvalho via TKO. The 34-year-old successfully retained his title against Rory MacDonald before dropping the strap to Rafael Lovato Jr. Mousasi’s professional record currently stands at 46 wins, 7 losses, and 2 no contests.
The title bout between Lima and Mousasi will co-headline with Ryan Bader vs. Vadim Nemkov for the Lightweight title at Bellator’s May 9 card in San Jose, Calif.