After flying under the radar for far too long, Bellator 221’s Douglas Lima is finally getting the respect he deserves.
Chicago, IL — Douglas Lima returns to action Saturday at Bellator 221, taking on Michael ‘Venom’ Page. Lima, a former welterweight champ in the promotion, and Page, an undefeated, unorthodox striker, is a high point of Bellator’s welterweight grand prix.
In fact, it’s the type of fight fans have wanted for years. A real test for Page, now 32. Another top opponent for Lima, for a long time Bellator’s best kept secret.
Lima spoke to Cageside Press ahead of the fight, telling us that “the weight cut’s going good.”
“Everything is going according to plan,” Lima told us Thursday. “We all gotta go through it, it’s a tough sport, the whole fight week, making weight. But I’ve always done it, ready to do it again.”
Lima is a member of a select club of fighters who have a sibling competing alongside them. Think the Pettis brothers, or the Miller brothers. Dhiego Lima, of course, is over in the UFC, but the benefits of having a brother in arms can’t be understated.
It’s “very important,” Douglas Lima told us. “We’ve been together in this game for a long time. We grew closer together here in MMA. He just got a big win last week, or two weeks ago. So he’s bringing that momentum, you know what I mean?”
That big win for Dhiego came against Court McGee at UFC Fort Lauderdale. Now, Douglas will be looking to build on his brother’s success. “I just got to keep the momentum going for the family.”
“It’s very important to have my brother together with me,” he added.
As for Lima being Bellator’s best kept secret in the past, hopefully that is changing. After all, being a great fighter with a low profile isn’t exactly what an athlete strives for. Visibility is key in the sport.
“My name was never out there, but I know I belong at the top of this division,” Lima told us.
“Top three, top five, I’m there. No matter who it is.”
Luckily, “I’m finally getting some respect right now. People are finally throwing my name out there. It’s going to be even better when I finish everybody in this tournament.”
