Douglas Lima has been one of the faces of Bellator for quite a while, having made his promotional debut back in 2011. Lima captured the then-vacant Bellator Welterweight Title at Bellator 117 in April 2014, stopping Rick Hawn. Lima would drop the title to Andrey Koreshkov but regained the championship by winning a rematch in November 2016. Lima dropped the title to Rory MacDonald in January 2018 but went on to defeat Koreshkov, Michael “Venom” Page and MacDonald to win the Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix and re-capture the gold once more in late 2019. Lima, however, was unsuccessful in a challenge of middleweight gold and lost the welterweight title, going on a four-fight losing streak before a win over Costello van Steenis at Bellator 296.

 

Aaron Jeffery has been considered a rising star at middleweight for quite a bit of time now, having scored multiple wins in notable regional MMA promotions, including a regional middleweight title. Jeffery is currently 3-2 in Bellator since making his promotional debut in June 2022. Jeffery looks to rebound from a No. 1 contender’s loss to former title challenger Fabian Edwards.

 

Will Jeffery be able to bring himself a step closer to finally earning a shot at a major MMA world championship? Or will the former Welterweight Champion, Lima, get closer to another opportunity to reclaim Bellator gold?

 

 

Round 1

 

Jeffery with a front kick as he gets Lima near the fence. Lima checks a kick and offers a right hand. Jeffery goes in for a takedown and gets it after some struggle. Lima throws up his guard. Jeffery is apparently leaking blood from his face already. Lima landing some hooks from the bottom. Jeffery landing some shots to the body. An elbow from the bottom by Lima as Jeffrey works. Lima locks up his guard. Jeffrey works the body again. Jeffery looking to stay busy.

 

The pair make their way over to the fence, still grounded. Lima looks to sit up against the fence, but his left leg is still locked up by Jeffery. Lima gets it free and he’s able to get back to his feet. Jeffery throws a few left hands to the head. Jeffrey still has a hold of Lima and looks to get to Lima’s back. Jeffery relentless with his wrestling and pressure, getting Lima off balance. Jeffery with a lift attempt. Jeffery close to controlling Lima’s back, but he’s struggling with the fence interfering. The two battling in a grappling control against the fence when the round ends.

 

 

Round 2

 

A couple of kicks from Jeffery to start. Right hand from Lima gets Jeffery to buckle! Lima looks to continue with the jab, but Jeffery presses Lima into the fence. Both men land knees to the inside. Another knee from Jeffery. Another knee from Jeffery. Lima looks to work to keep Jeffery from getting to his side, let alone his back. Lima pummeling as he is preventing Jeffery’s takedown attempt continuously. Lima threatens the neck and Jeffery backs off. The two exchange. Jeffery shoots in and Lima lands some vicious elbows.

 

Low kick from Jeffery. Right hand from Jeffery before Lima gets himself off the fence. Lima with another right hand. Jeffery with another takedown attempt, but he doesn’t get it. Knee from Jeffery to the body. Lima reverses the position and gets Jeffery to the fence. Jeffery, however, brings it right back. Jeffery looks to lift Lima, but Lima stays on his feet. The two trade positioning on the fence at the bell.

 

 

Round 3

 

Low kick from Jeffery. Jeffery comes forward, with Lima landing jabs. Front kick by Jeffery. Lima lands the right hand again. Low kick again from Jeffery. Jeffery shoots in for a single-leg takedown, and he eventually gets it after Lima looks for more right hands. Jeffery looks to work now in the closed guard of Lima. Jeffery landing a couple of solid elbows. Jeffery pushing Lima into the fence on the ground to keep him grounded. Lima thinks for a triangle, but Jeffery stops it.

 

Jeffery not letting up. Lima looks to sit up more against the fence to try and work to his feet. Lima does get back to his feet, but Jeffrey trips him to bring him back to his knees. Jeffery landing a couple of knees to the legs of Lima. Jeffery continuing to land knees to the legs of Lima as Lima stands back up. Jeffrey keeping Lima pinned against the fence. Lima works his way back, but Jeffrey is relentless with his pressure. Jeffrey gets one more takedown and finishes the fight on top, throwing some ground-and-pound.

 

 

 

OFFICIAL RESULT

 

Aaron Jeffrey def. Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (29-28 x3)