Lima cracking Koreshkov with a thunderous, left hook (photo via Bellator)

By FCF Staff

Douglas Lima will battle Andrey Koreshkov this Saturday, in the first bout of Bellator’s upcoming welterweight tourney, and the former champ says the competition will feature the sport’s best.

The fight will be part of Bellator 206, which will take place in San Jose, California. The tourney’s other opening round match-ups, which will take place later this year, include current champ Rory MacDonald vs. Jon Fitch, Paul Daley vs. Michael Page, and Ed Ruth vs. Nieman Gracie.

While speaking to MMA Junkie recently, Lima had this to say about the welterweight tourney:

“We have a lot of killers in this tournament,” Lima said. “The best welterweights on the planet are competing. Hopefully it goes quick and it’s not to long of breaks between fights. I believe this is one of the toughest tournaments in history. The winner here really belongs at the top of the welterweight division. That’s what I plan on doing.”

“Koreshkov is one of the toughest guys out there. I need to be prepared for everything. He’s got good striking, he’s got good wrestling and I know he’s good on top on the ground. There’s no easy way out. You have to be ready to fight everywhere and be ready to bring it. To beat a guy like that you have to finish him. You have to KO him, you have to break something. He’s not just going to give up. That’s the type of fighter you have to prepare for.”

Koreshkov earned a decision win over Lima back in 2015, but in their rematch in 2016, Lima won the fight via third round knockout.

In the main event of Bellator 206, MacDonald will challenge middleweight champ, Gegard Mousasi.