Bellator welterweight champion Douglas Lima eyeing shot at middleweight gold

Douglas Lima is looking for big fights.

At Bellator 232, Lima (32-7 MMA, 14-3 UFC) won the Bellator welterweight grand prix tournament, reclaimed his welterweight championship, and avenged his loss to Rory MacDonald, the man who took the belt away from him at Bellator 192.

Now a three-time 170-pound champion, Lima doesn’t see a clear-cut No. 1 contender at the moment, and wants to move up and fight for the middleweight title next.

“I’m sure there will be a couple of rematches unless they sign some big names at welterweight,” Lima told MMA Junkie. “But I really want to move up to 185 to fight for that belt. That’s an option I’m thinking about and waiting to hear back if we can do that for the next fight or the one after next. I already gave them a date I want to fight. I want to fight in March or April. They’re working now as we speak, so we’ll see what they come up with but I’m opening to middleweight title or defending my belt. It’s whatever Bellator decides.”

If a champ vs. champ fight for the middleweight belt currently held by Rafael Lovato Jr. doesn’t pan out, it could be UFC veteran Lorenz Larkin next for Lima, who is looking to win his fourth straight when he takes on Keita Nakamura on Saturday at Bellator 237.

But timing-wise, the stars may not align.

“Larkin is interesting because Scott Coker said he could be next if he wins in Japan next weekend,” Lima said. “So if he wins at 170 I think he will be next. But as far as the dates, he’s fighting now and I want to fight at the end of March or April. If it’s him, I hope he will be ready by then. I want to do three fights next year.”

Widely considered as one of the best welterweights in MMA, Lima has taken out some big names, and doesn’t see himself struggling at a higher weight class.

“I think size-wise it wouldn’t be so bad at middleweight,” Lima said. “I’ve been saying for a long time that I want to move up and never did. I just think the timing, it makes sense for me right now to move up and do it. I just got through this tournament, got the welterweight belt for the third time and I think this is going to be very good for my career right now if I move up and take that title. I’m not here calling out names and all that, but for my career, that would be amazing.”

“I don’t think I’ll be a small middleweight. I won’t be a huge middleweight, but I don’t think the weight is going to be a problem. The moment now seems right. The top five, top seven in Bellator, I’ve beaten all of them. So I think it really makes sense if I get that shot at middleweight right now.”

Lovato Jr. upset Gegard Mousasi in June to win the title, and it is projected that the two will rematch. If not, Lima would be happy to jump in, and be the next to contend for the 185-pound title.

At this point in his career, Lima is looking to build on his legacy.

“That’s the thing (they say Lovato Jr. will rematch Mousasi). I’m pretty sure Mousasi is next in line, so I’m not sure what is going to happen. I’ve got to hear back from Bellator. Mousasi said himself that he would drop to 170 if I beat Rory in the rematch. It’s a very interesting matchup for myself and for him. I think some super fights definitely make sense for me. I’m just looking for some big fights, some big names. Lovato is a great champion, a great fighter, that would be good. If it’s Mousasi even better because of the names. I think some big fights are good for me at this point in my career. But it’s up to Bellator. Whoever they offer me, I’ll fight.”