The second half of Bellator’s weekend doubleheader takes place Saturday with Bellator 232, which goes down at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn., with a main card set to stream on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.
A welterweight championship more than one year in the making headlines the card. Rory MacDonald (21-5-1 MMA, 3-1-1 BMMA) and Douglas Lima (31-7 MMA, 13-3 BMMA) will meet in a rematch of their memorable January 2018 fight in the finals of the Bellator welterweight grand pix. The tournament began with eight competitors, and now the pair will clash for a title belt and $1 million prize.
For more on the numbers behind the MacDonald vs. Lima title rematch, as well as the rest of the card, check below for 30 pre-event facts about Bellator 232.
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Main event
MacDonald has a third fight within a calendar year for the first time since 2014.
MacDonald is 3-3-1 in his past seven fights dating back to July 2015.
MacDonald has earned two of his three Bellator victories by decision.
MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch at Bellator 220 is the only title fight in Bellator history to end in a draw.
Lima competes in his 16th Bellator welterweight bout, the second most appearances in divisional history behind Andrey Koreshkov (17).
Lima competes in his seventh Bellator title fight, tied for third most in company history behind Michael Chandler (10) and Patricio Freire (10).
Lima’s 12 victories in Bellator welterweight competition are second most in divisional history behind Koreshkov (13).
Lima has earned 26 of his 31 career victories by stoppage. That includes 10 of his 13 Bellator wins.
Lima’s nine knockout victories in Bellator competition are tied with Patricky Freire for most in company history.
Lima’s nine stoppage victories in Bellator welterweight competition are most in divisional history.
Lima’s eight knockout victories in Bellator welterweight competition are most in divisional history.
Remaining main card
Paul Daley (41-17-2 MMA, 7-4 BMMA), 36, is the oldest of the 10 scheduled main card fighters.
Daley has earned all 32 career stoppage victories as a result of strikes. That includes five of his seven Bellator wins.
Saad Awad (23-12 MMA, 11-9 BMMA) competes in his 21st Bellator bout, tied for the third most appearances in divisional history behind David Rickels (23) and Patricio Freire (22).
Awad makes his second Bellator appearance in a 22-day stretch. He lost to Goiti Yamauchi at Bellator 229 on Oct. 4.
Awad’s three-fight losing skid is the longest of his career. He hasn’t earned a victory since June 2018.
Awad’s nine losses in Bellator competition are most in company history.
Patrick Mix (11-0 MMA, 1-0 BMMA), 26, is the youngest of the 10 scheduled main card fighters.
Vitaly Minakov’s (22-1 MMA, 6-1 BMMA) six victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Cheick Kongo (12).
Minakov has earned 20 of his 22 career victories by stoppage. That includes five of his six Bellator wins.
Minakov’s five stoppage victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Javy Ayala (six).
Minakov’s five knockout victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Javy Ayala (11-7 MMA, 6-4 BMMA) competes in his 11th Bellator heavyweight bout, the second most appearances in divisional history behind Kongo (15).
Ayala’s six victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are tied for second most in divisional history behind Kongo (12).
Ayala has earned 10 of his 11 career victories by stoppage. That includes all six of his Bellator wins.
Ayala’s six stoppage victories in Bellator heavyweight competition are most in divisional history.
Nick Newell (16-2 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) has earned 14 of his 16 career victories by stoppage. He’s finished 12 of those wins by submission.
Manny Muro (10-6 MMA, 1-0 BMMA) is 1-3 in his past four fights dating back to February 2018.
Bellator 232 pre-event facts: Douglas Lima's resume packs a punch
