# Douglas Lima

Douglas Lima (born 5 January 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the Welterweight and Middleweight divisions. He formerly competed for Bellator MMA, where he is a former three-time Bellator Welterweight Champion. He is also the former MFC Welterweight Champion. Lima and his younger brother, Dhiego, own and operate American Top Team - Team Lima in Duluth, Georgia.

## Background

Lima was born and grew up initially in Aparecida de Goiânia, Brazil. Douglas took interest in martial arts from Bruce Lee and Jean-Claude Van Damme movies, and started training capoeira. In 2000, Lima moved to Atlanta, Georgia with his family, and eventually started training Muay Thai and Brazilian jiu-jitsu at the age of 14. He graduated from Joseph Wheeler High School. He trained at American Top Team Atlanta with Roan Carneiro.

## Mixed martial arts career
### Early career

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 for the ISCF (International Sport Combat Federation) Pro East Coast Welterweight Title. 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 held at Bellator 57, he claimed the tournament victory and earned a shot at the title by knocking out Ben Saunders in the second round.

#### First title shot

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.

#### Bellator Season Eight tournament

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, but ultimately 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. However, Lima suffered a broken hand and the rematch was postponed, finally taking place at Bellator 100 on September 20, 2013. Lima once again won in the second round, this time via a brutal head kick knockout.

#### First Bellator Welterweight Championship reign

Lima faced judo olympian Rick Hawn at Bellator 117 on April 18, 2014, for the vacant Bellator Welterweight Championship. 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.

#### Return to title contention and second reign

After nearly a year away from the sport, Lima returned to the Bellator cage to replace Josh Koscheck against Paul Daley at Bellator 158 on July 16, 2016. 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 faced Lorenz Larkin at Bellator NYC on June 24, 2017. He won the fight via a unanimous decision (50–45, 48–47, and 48–47) to retain the Bellator welterweight championship.
On September 6, 2017 Lima announced that he had signed a six-fight, two-year contract with Bellator.
For the second defense of his title, Lima faced Rory MacDonald at Bellator 192 on January 20, 2018. He lost the back-and-forth fight by unanimous decision.

#### 2019 Bellator Welterweight GP and third reign

Lima faced Andrey Koreshkov in a third match as part of the opening round of the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix on September 29, 2018 at Bellator 206. He won the fight via a rear-naked choke in the fifth round.
In the tournament semifinals, Lima faced the undefeated Michael Page in the co-main event at Bellator 221 on May 11, 2019. Lima won the fight via knockout in round two.
In the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix final, Lima challenged Rory MacDonald in a rematch for the welterweight title at Bellator 232 on October 26, 2019. He won the fight by unanimous decision to become a three-time Bellator welterweight champion and the 2019 Welterweight Grand Prix winner, receiving the $1,000,000 prize.

#### Attempt at middleweight championship

As the first fight of his new, multi-year contract, Lima was scheduled to face Gegard Mousasi for the vacant Bellator Middleweight World Championship at Bellator 242 on May 9, 2020. However, it was later announced that Bellator 242 and Lima's fight against Mousasi were being postponed due to the COVID-19 pandemic. Instead, Lima faced Mousasi on October 29 at Bellator 250. Lima lost the fight via unanimous decision.
In the first defense of his title in his third reign as Bellator Welterweight World Champion, Lima faced undefeated Yaroslav Amosov at Bellator 260 on June 11, 2021. He lost the bout by unanimous decision.

#### Losing streak

Lima faced Michael Page in a rematch on October 1, 2021 at Bellator 267. He lost the bout via split decision. 6 out of 7 media outlets scored the bout as a win for Lima.
Lima was scheduled to face Jason Jackson on May 13, 2022 at Bellator 281. However, due to unknown reasons, the bout was pulled from the event and was rescheduled for July 22, 2022 at Bellator 283. After the main event was scrapped and the reshuffling of the bouts, Lima vs. Jackson was upgraded to the main event and 5 rounds. At the weigh-ins, Douglas Lima, came in at 172.8 lbs, 1.8 pounds heavy for his headlining welterweight bout. The bout proceeded at a catchweight and Lima was fined a percentage of his individual purse, which went to Jackson. Lima lost the bout via unanimous decision, getting controlled on the ground for 5 rounds.

#### Return to middleweight

Moving up to Middleweight once again, Lima faced Costello van Steenis on May 12, 2023 at Bellator 296. He won the bout via unanimous decision.
With one fight remaining on his prevailing contract, Lima signed a new multi-year contract with PFL after publicly scolding the organization for keeping him benched for over a year for allegedly too high purse. As the first bout of his new contract, Lima faced Aaron Jeffery at Bellator Champions Series 4 on September 7, 2024. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

### Global Fight League

On January 16, 2025, it was announced that he had left the promotion and signed with the Global Fight League.
Lima is scheduled to face Uriah Hall at a to be announced date and location.

## Professional grappling career

Lima competed against Rinat Fakhretdinov at ADXC 2 on January 19, 2024. He lost the match by unanimous decision.

## Personal life

Lima and his wife have two daughters and a son.

## Championships and accomplishments

* Bellator Fighting Championships
** Bellator Welterweight World Championship (Three times)
*** One successful title defense (second reign)
** Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Winner
** Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Winner
** Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Winner
** Tied (with Patricky Freire) for second most knockouts in Bellator history (nine)
** Second most wins in Bellator welterweight division history (13)
** Tied (with Michael Page) for most stoppage victories in Bellator welterweight division history (nine)
** Tied (with Michael Page and Andrey Koreshkov) for most knockout victories in Bellator welterweight division history (eight)
** Second most fights in Bellator Welterweight division history (18)
** Only fighter in Bellator history to win three tournaments
* Maximum Fighting Championship
** MFC Welterweight Championship (One time; former)
*** One successful title defense
** Knockout of the Night (One time) vs. Terry Martin
** Submission of the Night (Two times) vs. Ryan Ford and Jesse Juarez
* Sin City Fight Club/SportFight X
** 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix Champion
* Sherdog
** 2013 All-Violence Third Team
* MMAJunkie.com
** 2019 May Knockout of the Month vs. Michael Page

## Mixed martial arts record

Professional record breakdown :
| 45 matches | 33 wins | 12 losses |
| By knockout | 16 | 1 |
| By submission | 10 | 1 |
| By decision | 7 | 10 |
| Res. | Record | Opponent | Method | Event | Date | Round | Time | Location | Notes |
| Loss | 33–12 | Aaron Jeffery | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator Champions Series 4 | September 7, 2024 | 3 | 5:00 | San Diego, California, United States | |
| Win | 33–11 | Costello van Steenis | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 296 | May 12, 2023 | 3 | 5:00 | Paris, France | Return to Middleweight. |
| Loss | 32–11 | Jason Jackson | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 283 | July 22, 2022 | 5 | 5:00 | Tacoma, Washington, United States | Catchweight (172.8 lb) bout; Lima missed weight. |
| Loss | 32–10 | Michael Page | Decision (split) | Bellator 267 | October 1, 2021 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England | |
| Loss | 32–9 | Yaroslav Amosov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 260 | June 11, 2021 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Lost the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Loss | 32–8 | Gegard Mousasi | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 250 | October 29, 2020 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Middleweight debut. For the vacant Bellator Middleweight World Championship. |
| Win | 32–7 | Rory MacDonald | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 232 | October 26, 2019 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Won the Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix and the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 31–7 | Michael Page | KO (punches) | Bellator 221 | May 11, 2019 | 2 | 0:35 | Rosemont, Illinois, United States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 30–7 | Andrey Koreshkov | Technical Submission (rear-naked choke) | Bellator 206 | September 29, 2018 | 5 | 3:04 | San Jose, California, United States | Bellator Welterweight World Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 29–7 | Rory MacDonald | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 192 | January 20, 2018 | 5 | 5:00 | Inglewood, California, United States | Lost the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 29–6 | Lorenz Larkin | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator NYC | June 24, 2017 | 5 | 5:00 | New York City, New York, United States | Defended the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 28–6 | Andrey Koreshkov | KO (punches) | Bellator 164 | November 10, 2016 | 3 | 1:21 | Tel Aviv, Israel | Won the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 27–6 | Paul Daley | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 158 | July 16, 2016 | 3 | 5:00 | London, England, United Kingdom | |
| Loss | 26–6 | Andrey Koreshkov | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 140 | July 17, 2015 | 5 | 5:00 | Uncasville, Connecticut, United States | Lost the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 26–5 | Rick Hawn | TKO (corner stoppage) | Bellator 117 | April 18, 2014 | 2 | 3:19 | Council Bluffs, Iowa, United States | Won the vacant Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 25–5 | Ben Saunders | KO (head kick) | Bellator 100 | September 20, 2013 | 2 | 4:33 | Phoenix, Arizona, United States | Won the Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament. |
| Win | 24–5 | Bryan Baker | KO (punch) | Bellator 90 | February 21, 2013 | 1 | 2:34 | West Valley City, Utah, United States | Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 23–5 | Michail Tsarev | TKO (leg kicks) | Bellator 86 | January 24, 2013 | 2 | 1:44 | Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 8 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 22–5 | Jacob Ortiz | TKO (head kick and knee) | Bellator 79 | November 2, 2012 | 3 | 4:50 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | 180 lb Catchweight bout. |
| Loss | 21–5 | Ben Askren | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 64 | April 6, 2012 | 5 | 5:00 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | For the Bellator Welterweight World Championship. |
| Win | 21–4 | Ben Saunders | KO (punches) | Bellator 57 | November 12, 2011 | 2 | 1:21 | Rama, Ontario, Canada | Won the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament. |
| Win | 20–4 | Chris Lozano | KO (punch) | Bellator 53 | October 8, 2011 | 2 | 3:14 | Miami, Oklahoma, United States | Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Semifinal. |
| Win | 19–4 | Steve Carl | Decision (unanimous) | Bellator 49 | September 10, 2011 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlantic City, New Jersey United States | Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament Quarterfinal. |
| Win | 18–4 | Terry Martin | TKO (punches) | MFC 29: Conquer | April 8, 2011 | 1 | 1:14 | Windsor, Ontario, Canada | Defended the MFC Welterweight Championship. Knockout of the Night. |
| Win | 17–4 | Jesse Juarez | Submission (triangle armbar) | MFC 27 | November 12, 2010 | 3 | 2:37 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Won the vacant MFC Welterweight Championship. Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 16–4 | Ryan Ford | Submission (armbar) | MFC 26 | September 10, 2010 | 2 | 0:48 | Edmonton, Alberta, Canada | Submission of the Night. |
| Win | 15–4 | Cortez Coleman | Decision (split) | SportFight X-1: Beatdown | March 26, 2010 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | Won the 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix. |
| Win | 14–4 | Clint Hester | Decision (unanimous) | Sin City Fight Club: Redline Grand Prix Round 2 | November 13, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix Semifinal. |
| Win | 13–4 | Eddie Hernandez | Submission (triangle choke) | Sin City Fight Club: Redline Grand Prix Opening Round | October 10, 2009 | 1 | 2:34 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | 2010 REDLINE Middleweight Grand Prix Quarterfinal. |
| Loss | 12–4 | Eric Dahlberg | Decision (unanimous) | Best of the Best | June 12, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Columbus, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 12–3 | Charles Blanchard | Decision (unanimous) | KOTC: Invincible | March 27, 2009 | 3 | 5:00 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 12–2 | Joseph Baize | TKO (punches) | Southern Kentucky: Combat League | August 23, 2008 | 1 | 2:30 | Owensboro, Kentucky, United States | |
| Loss | 11–2 | Brent Weedman | Submission (armbar) | AFL: Bulletproof | May 30, 2008 | 2 | 4:39 | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | For the vacant AFL Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 11–1 | Cody Senseney | TKO (punches) | AFL: Eruption | March 7, 2008 | 1 | 2:45 | Lexington, Kentucky, United States | |
| Win | 10–1 | Eric Davila | Submission (armbar) | ROF 31: Undisputed | December 1, 2007 | 2 | 3:52 | Broomfield, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 9–1 | Daniel Douglas | Submission (rear-naked choke) | RMBB & PCF 1: HellRazor | October 16, 2007 | 1 | 0:28 | Denver, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 8–1 | Kyle Baker | Submission (triangle armbar) | Reign in the Cage | August 11, 2007 | 1 | 4:45 | Alabama, United States | |
| Win | 7–1 | Ed Nuno | TKO (injury) | XFS 6: Bad Blood | July 14, 2007 | 1 | 0:28 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | 6–1 | Joshua Hancock | TKO | Evolution: Mayhem in Albany | March 10, 2007 | 1 | N/A | Albany, Georgia, United States | |
| Loss | 5–1 | Matt Brown | TKO (punches) | ISCF: Invasion | February 9, 2007 | 2 | 2:50 | Kennesaw, Georgia, United States | For the vacant ISCF Eastern U.S. Welterweight Championship. |
| Win | 5–0 | Ray Perales | TKO (submission to punches) | Xtreme Fight Series 3 | December 15, 2006 | 1 | 3:07 | Boise, Idaho, United States | |
| Win | 4–0 | John Nellermoe | Submission (triangle choke) | ISCF: Southside Slugfest | October 21, 2006 | 1 | 1:07 | Peachtree City, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 3–0 | Nathan Osterkamp | Submission (rear-naked choke) | Border Warz | October 14, 2006 | 1 | 1:57 | Colorado Springs, Colorado, United States | |
| Win | 2–0 | Steve Linton | Submission (verbal) | ISCF: Fever Fight Night | September 22, 2006 | 1 | N/A | Atlanta, Georgia, United States | |
| Win | 1–0 | Carlos Julio Molestina | KO (punches) | Wild Bill's: Fight Night 3 | July 14, 2006 | 1 | 1:08 | Duluth, Georgia, United States | |