A busy weekend in MMA was closed out by Bellator 232 and the conclusion of the welterweight grand prix.
Bellator 232 saw the conclusion of the Bellator Welterweight Grand prix — and in a rare case of things going according to plan, it was Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima in the final. Lima, the man MacDonald had beaten to become champ in Bellator, had put on two stellar shows in the grand prix, and looked better than ever. MacDonald, meanwhile, had struggled against Jon Fitch, but bounced back opposite Neiman Gracie.
However, fighting Lima for the second time, MacDonald’s conservative game plan, designed to avoid the nasty leg kicks of the Brazilian, backfired. In the end, Lima reclaimed the title, won the million dollar grand prix, and get his revenge on MacDonald.
Full results from the event, plus a gallery of highlights, can be seen below.
Bellator 232: MacDonald vs. Lima 2 Results
Main Card
Douglas Lima defeated Rory MacDonald via unanimous decision (49-46, 50-45, 50-45)
Paul Daley defeated Saad Awad via TKO (punches), Round 2, 1:30
Patrick Mix defeated Isaiah Chapman via submission (kneebar), Round 1, 3:49
Manny Muro defeated Nick Newell via split decision (29-28, 27-29, 29-28)
Baby Slice defeated Craig Campbell via TKO (elbows), Round 1, 0:38
Preliminary Card
Ryan Hardy Evans defeated Demetrios Plaza via submission (rear-naked choke), Round 3, 3:03
Lance Gibson Jr. defeated Dominic Jones via KO (punches), Round 1, 1:58
Devin Powell defeated Marcus Surin via technical submission (mounted guillotine), Round 2, 5:00
Johnny Lopez defeated Dan Cormier via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Jornel Lugo defeated John Douma via unanimous decision (30-26, 30-27, 30-27)
Zarrukh Adashev defeated Tevin Dyce via TKO (strikes), Round 2, 1:39
