Douglas Lima

Douglas Lima (born January 5, 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight division. He currently fights for Bellator Fighting Championships where he is the current Bellator Welterweight Champion. He is also the former MFC Welterweight Champion. Lima is currently ranked as the #6 Welterweight in the world by Fight!Magazine.

Early career

Lima was born in Brazil and moved to the state of Georgia in the United States graduating from Joseph Wheeler High School. He began training with American Top Team Atlanta. Son to Fausto and Cologera Lima. He trains with Roan Carneiro. Lima began his professional mixed martial arts career with decent success, soon compiling a record of 5–0.

In February 2007, Lima faced the future Ultimate Fighter competitor Matt Brown. Brown dealt Lima his first professional loss by defeating him via TKO due to punches in the second round.

American Fight League

In May 2008, Lima had his first defense of the title against Brent Weedman. Weedman was reportedly brought in to the fight to showcase Lima's skills, as Weedman was expected to be an easy fight. Weedman threatened early on with a triangle choke which was unsuccessful. Late in the second round, Weedman again caught Lima in a triangle choke, but transitioned to an armbar, which forced Lima to submit, giving Weedman the title. Weedman would later go on to say "They brought me in because Douglas Lima would make a great champ for them. Now, it's my turn to step up. I feel good about the fact that I did a one-fight deal with them. We're going to talk a multi-fight contract now." Following the loss, Lima never appeared for the AFL promotion again.

World Extreme Cagefighting

Following another win via TKO, Lima joined World Extreme Cagefighting. His debut fight was scheduled to take place at WEC 39 against Justin Haskins. However, Lima was forced to withdraw from the card while waiting on papers to arrive from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services. Lima's WEC debut never transpired, as instead, he joined King of the Cage, where he faced another future Ultimate Fighter competitor in Charles Blanchard, losing by unanimous decision.

Maximum Fighting Championship

In September 2010, Douglas Lima joined the Maximum Fighting Championship, facing off against Ryan Ford. In front of Ford's hometown fans, Lima was able to defeat Ford via armbar, early in the second round.

With the win, Lima was given an MFC Welterweight title shot against Jesse Juarez at MFC 27. Lima went on to defeat Juarez via armbar, midway through the final round.

Lima then defended the title against Terry Martin at MFC 29, winning the fight via first round TKO.

Bellator Fighting Championships

In May 2011, it was announced that Lima had signed to fight for Bellator Fighting Championships.

Lima entered into the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament. He fought Steve Carl in the opening round held at Bellator 49 and won the fight via unanimous decision. Lima fought Chris Lozano in the semifinals at Bellator 53 and won via KO in the second round. In the finals, he faced Ben Saunders and won via KO in the second round.

Lima got his title shot against welterweight champion Ben Askren at Bellator 64 on April 6, 2012. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Lima defeated Jacob Ortiz via head kick and knee at 4:50 of the third round at Bellator 79 on November 2, 2012.

Lima faced Russian MMA prospect Michail Tsarev in Season Eight Welterweight Tournament on January 24, 2013 at Bellator 86. He won the fight via TKO due to leg strikes in round 2. In the semi-finals, he was scheduled to face Brent Weedman. Weedman suffered an injury and was replaced by Bryan Baker at Bellator 90 on February 21, 2013. He won the fight via knock out in the first round. He was expected to face Ben Saunders in a rematch in the tournament final at Bellator 93. Lima suffered a broken hand.

The rematch with Saunders eventually took place at Bellator 100 on September 20, 2013. Lima once again won in the second round, this time via a brutal head kick knockout.

Lima faced judo olympian Rick Hawn at Bellator 117 on April 18, 2014. After several knockdowns due to leg kicks, Lima won via TKO due to corner stoppage to win the vacant Bellator Welterweight Championship.

Lima was scheduled to make his first title defense against Paul Daley on February 27, 2015 at Bellator 134. However, in January, it was announced that Lima had pulled out of the fight due to injury. Lima was replaced by fellow Brazilian André Santos.

After 15 months away from the sport due to knee injuries, Lima returned to defend his title against Bellator Season Ten Welterweight tournament winner Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 140 on July 17, 2015. He lost the fight and title by unanimous decision.

After nearly a year away from the sport, Lima returned to the Bellator cage to replace Josh Koscheck against Paul Daley at Bellator 158. He won the fight via unanimous decision.

The win over Daley earned Lima a rematch against Bellator Welterweight Champion Andrey Koreshkov. The two met in the main event at Bellator 164 on November 10, 2016. Lima regained his title by winning by knockout in the third round.

For the first defense of his second title reign, Lima is expected to face Lorenz Larkin at Bellator: Sonnen vs. Silva on June 24, 2017.

• Bellator Fighting Championships
  • Bellator Welterweight Championship (Two time, current)
  • Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Winner
  • Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Winner
• Maximum Fighting Championship
  • MFC Welterweight Championship (One time)
  • Knockout of the Night (One time)
  • Submission of the Night (Two times)
• Sin City Fight Club/SportFight X
  • 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix Champion
• Sherdog
  • 2014 All-Violence Third Team