Maximum Fighting Championships welterweight champ Douglas Lima has signed on to fight under the Bellator Fighting Championships banner.
Officials from the promotion announced the signing earlier today.
Lima’s debut in Bellator will come this Fall in the upcoming fifth season, and the 18-4 professional fighter will be one of eight men competing in the 170-pound tournament for a chance to dethrone champion Ben Askren or top contender Jay Hieron, who will meet this Summer, and take home $100,000 in total winnings.
“In every promotion I’ve fought in, I’ve always wanted to be the best welterweight in the division – but with Bellator, this is it,” Lima said. “This is a big organization, and I’m going to be fighting on national television on MTV2. This is it for me, finally.”
Lima earned the MFC welterweight title this past November against Jesse Juarez via submission stoppage and went on to defend the title against UFC veteran Terry Martin this past April. He is currently riding a six-fight winning streak featuring four stoppage victories.
Though no date has been set for his debut with the promotion, his first fight with the promotion will be featured prominently on the main card of one of the upcoming Fall events. An opponent has also yet to be announced.
