Bellator 232 Preview: MacDonald vs. Lima II
Bellator’s welterweight grand prix comes to a conclusion this Saturday night and with it comes the hotly anticipated rematch between champion Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima.
Emanating from Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut, a rematch of one of 2018’s best fights will go down after both MacDonald and Lima have run the gauntlet of the 170 lbs grand prix.
MacDonald (21-5-1) has managed to hold onto his title throughout the grand prix first progressing via a majority draw against Jon Fitch before two months later defeating the previously undefeated Neiman Gracie via unanimous decision.
Lima (31-7) meanwhile has proved much more convincing in his progression through the tournament as Bellator 232’s title challenger first defeated former champion Andrey Koreshkov with a fifth-round submission before a devastating KO of the year contender against Michael ‘Venom’ Page.
Elsewhere at Bellator 232, Paul Daley (41-17-2) will make his 61st walk to the cage as he takes on short-notice replacement Saad Awad (23-12) while fans favourite Nick Newell (16-2) will look for his second promotional win against Manny Muro (10-6).