Bellator 232 breakdown: Can Douglas Lima avenge loss to Rory MacDonald?

MMA Junkie analyst Dan Tom breaks down Bellator’s top bouts. Today, we look at the main event for Bellator 232.

Bellator 232 takes place Saturday at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The main card streams on DAZN following prelims on MMA Junkie.

Rory MacDonald (21-5-1 MMA, 3-1-1 BMMA)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’0″ Age: 30 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 76″
• Last fight: Decision win over Neiman Gracie (June 14, 2019)
• Camp: Tristar/Toshido MMA (Canadian)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/kickboxing
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:

+ Regional MMA titles
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 7 KO victories
+ 7 submission wins
+ 7 first-round finishes
+ Good footwork
^ Rarely out of position
+ Long and accurate jab
^ Manages distance well
+ Solid kicking acumen
+ Strong inside the clinch
+ Diverse takedown ability
^ Well-timed level changes
+ Excellent transitional grappler
^ Works well from topside
+/- 0-1 in rematches

Douglas Lima (31-7 MMA, 13-3 BMMA)

Staple info:

• Height: 6’1″ Age: 31 Weight: 170 lbs. Reach: 71″
• Last fight: Knockout win over Michael Page (May 11, 2019)
• Camp: American Top Team ATL (Atlanta)
• Stance/striking style: Orthodox/muay Thai
• Risk management: Good

Supplemental info:

+ Former Bellator welterweight champion
+ Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt
+ 15 KO victories
+ 11 submission wins
+ 15 first-round finishes
+ KO power
+ Solid feints and footwork
^ Seldom out of position
+ Dangerous hooks and crosses
+ Hard and accurate leg kicks
+ Strong inside the clinch
^ Improved underhook awareness
+ Good transitional grappler
+ Crafty guard game
^ Slick sweeps and submissions
+/- 2-0 in rematches

Point of interest: Straight lines and low kicks

The main event for Bellator 232 features the final fight of the welterweight grand prix, in which Rory MacDonald rematches Douglas Lima for all the marbles.

In their first fight, we saw both jabs and low kicks play roles in exchanges that, perhaps, could portend a path to success for both parties in part two of this top-level showdown.

Developing his overall MMA game from a young age, MacDonald showed early on that he was on a collision course with the sport’s finest. Uprooting the kickboxing skills he acquired at Toshido MMA in Vancouver, MacDonald later ended up expanding his training camp to the Tristar Gym in Montreal.

Once there, we would see the evolution of MacDonald’s jab.
Building all the fundamentals to facilitate his newfound tool, MacDonald immediately implemented it into his game. Staying long and measured, MacDonald was better able to set up his attacks, whether he was looking for high kicks or takedowns.

When facing skilled strikers like Tarec Saffiedine, MacDonald was able to utilize his jab to disrupt his opponent’s rhythm, tagging him whenever he would switch stances. Against power punchers like Tyron Woodley or Jake Ellenberger, MacDonald demonstrated to ability manage range to his terms, controlling the pace of the fight.

The potential problem, however, is that having a striking game that front-loads your weight to your lead foot and can make you even more susceptible to leg kicks – a lesson that MacDonald wore on the outside of his calf in their first fight.

MacDonald, despite carrying a decent five-inch edge in reach, also ate a quiet amount of Lima jabs early that I believe helped expedite the Canadian’s takedown urgency.

A former welterweight kingpin, Lima has steadily developed a heavy jab that he’s not afraid to step into. Steadily stalking his prey behind subtle feints and fakes, the Brazilian is seldom out of position while keeping his patented right hand at the ready. Although this weapon has served Lima well (as he is accurate both coming forward and off the counter), his reliance on his right has also cost him hand injuries.

Subsequently, we saw Lima improve his left hand in the latter part of his career, as he now throws the previously-mentioned jab to go along with his already potent left hook and leg kicks. Even when circling away, the champion will now smartly attach check-hooks to his lead-foot pivots, which comes in handy when his opposition chooses to get aggressive with him.

Outside of the clinch, I see the ability to establish the jab being key for both fighters – particularly Lima and his looming leg kicks.

Next point of interest: Controlling the clinch