Douglas Lima( photo via Bellator / YouTube)

By FCF Staff

Douglas Lima is expected to fight Gegard Mousasi for Bellator’s vacant middleweight title this summer, and the welterweight champ plans to defend both titles if he becomes the promotion’s last champ-champ.

Lima was scheduled to fight Mousasi at Bellator 242 on May 9th, but due to the coronavirus pandemic the card was postponed.

Recently Lima spoke with MMA Fighting, and the 32-year-old relayed he hope to face Mousasi in July.

“For sure, that’s the plan,” Lima said. “The next step right now is the middleweight title. They just postponed the fight, and we’ll see what happens. Bellator said they want to start the shows again in July. I don’t have any details or anything, but hopefully we’re one of the first fights. The plan is this fight for the middleweight gold.”

And, while talking about his hope to win the middleweight title, the welterweight champ said this.

“I’m looking for another run with the middleweight title,” Lima said. “I’m looking to defend that and defend back at 170. There’s always something bigger out there. Let’s start with this fight up at middleweight. I think this is a huge fight against such a big name and moving up a weight class.

“This has got everything to make it even bigger (than winning the welterweight grand prix). I just need to focus, train hard and keep winning these fights. Just make the most out of this time and I’m sure we’ve got bigger things coming.”

Lima (32-7) reclaimed the welterweight title in October by defeating Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision. The decorated fighter has won three straight.

Mousasi (46-7-2), meanwhile, earned a split decision win over Lyoto Machida in September. The former middleweight champ has gone 4-1 in his last 5 bouts.