Scott Coker says Lorenz Larkin could be next for new champ Douglas Lima, but has to win in Japan first

UNCASVILLE, Conn. – Bellator now has a three-time welterweight champion in the form of Douglas Lima, and Bellator president Scott Coker has a plethora of options ahead for the Brazilian in the months ahead.

For now, though, Coker says he’ll look to move a few pieces around on the promotion’s welterweight chessboard before booking “The Phenom” in the first title defense of his new reign.

One option might be a rematch with the man he defeated on Saturday night at Bellator 232. Lima (32-7 MMA, 14-3 BMMA) and Rory MacDonald (21-6-1 MMA, 3-2-1 BMMA) now stand with one win apiece from their in-cage rivalry, and a possible trilogy battle could be on the cards. But Coker said that likely wouldn’t be next.

“I haven’t really thought about that, but you know what, I wouldn’t mind seeing it,” he admitted. “Maybe further down the line. We’ll see what happens.”

What looks more likely for Lima is a matchup against the man Coker currently sees as the top contender at 170 pounds, Lorenz Larkin (21-7 MMA, 3-2 BMMA). But Coker revealed that “The Monsoon” has other business to attend to before any thoughts can turn to a possible shot at the strap.

“We’re going to be taking Larkin in Japan to fight on the 29th to fight on our show,” Coker revealed. “We’re still working out the opponent, but he will be fighting and representing Bellator against Rizin, so he will be busy there.

“I think Douglas Lima would probably want to take a couple of months off, and then we’ll figure it out. But I think that Larkin, unless he loses in Japan, he’s probably the No. 1 guy in the slot.”

While a rematch with Lima might not be next on the schedule for MacDonald, Coker hinted that another return bout could potentially be a possibility after it was suggested to him that Jon Fitch (32-7-2 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) had expressed an interest in facing “The Red King” again.

“You know what? I haven’t talked to Jon; he told me he was going to retire,” Coker said. “But if he’s not retiring, we can have that conversation. But he did tell me that unless he got the alternate slot and worked his way into this championship fight and the tournament finals, he was probably going to retire. So when I get back to San Jose, I’ll reach out to him.”

One thing Coker doesn’t expect to hear from MacDonald is a retirement announcement. The Bellator boss said the Canadian looked fresh and focused all week in the lead-up to his unsuccessful title defense at Bellator 232, and the president said he was impressed with MacDonald’s performance, despite the defeat.

“I thought he fought a very smart, tactical fight,” he admitted. “Douglas Lima is not a guy you want to stand in the pocket and throw down with because he has a heavy arsenal. I think Rory was trying to move and figure out a way to avoid the big hits and then take him down.

“I think he was a lot more focused than he was for his last fight, or the fight before. He’s been here all week, and I haven’t heard any dialog about anything other than about he wants to win this belt.”