Douglas Lima pushes for vacant Bellator title fight vs. Gegard Mousasi with Rafael Lovato Jr. out

Douglas Lima’s window to become a simultaneous Bellator champion might’ve just opened up, and he hopes to take advantage.

In recent months, Lima (32-7 MMA, 14-3 BMMA), the reigning Bellator welterweight champ, expressed his desire to move up and compete for a second belt. It didn’t seem like it would happen in the near future, but the landscape suddenly has changed.

Bellator middleweight champ Rafael Lovato Jr. revealed Wednesday that he’s been battling a brain abnormality, which could lead to him vacating the belt. Bellator released a statement standing by Lovato for the time being, and it said there are no immediate plans for the belt.

The chances of Lovato being cleared to return are in question, which means a new champ eventually would be crowned. Gegard Mousasi (46-7-2 MMA, 4-1 BMMA), the former titleholder who was supposed rematch Lovato for the belt after losing it at Bellator 223 in June, would appear to be the obvious frontrunner for one spot.

Who would be standing across from him is much less certain, however, but Lima’s team is putting his name in the hat.

“We are pushing for it,” Lima’s manager, Brian Butler of SuckerPunch Entertainment, told MMA Junkie on Thursday. “It’s definitely something we are interested in.”

Lima is coming off a title win in his rematch with Rory MacDonald at Bellator 232 in October. The victory earned him the Bellator welterweight grand prix crown and $1 million in prize money, but “The Phenom” is not yet satisfied.

Only Ryan Bader and Patricio Freire have managed to hold multiple belts at the same in Bellator’s history, and Lima is keen to join that list. As he told MMA Junkie in December, the idea of fighting for the 185-pound belt is very compelling to him.

“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.”