It keeps one of Bellator’s most exciting stars active
If you’re rating Bellator’s top fighters in terms of their out-and-out excitement factor when they compete, Lima might just be at the top of the list.
“The Phenom’s” ability to finish fights in the blink of an eye, often in spectacular fashion, has led to him becoming one of the biggest fan-favorites on the Bellator roster. He cemented that status with his performance in the welterweight grand prix, where he took out former champion Andrey Koreshkov, starched Michael Page, and outgunned then-champion Rory MacDonald to prove that he was not just the undisputed No. 1 welterweight in Bellator, but also that he had a legitimate argument for being the top 170-pounder on the planet.
With the welterweight division still settling back into a regular routine after the tournament’s conclusion, it makes sense for Lima to step up and face a challenge outside of his weight class while the next title challenger emerges. The chance for him to elevate his status and become a two-division champion just adds a little more stardust to the storyline.