Mousasi, Lima to meet for vacant Bellator middleweight title

Bellator president Scott Coker announced Tuesday that the promotion's middleweight championship will be up for grabs on May 9 in a fight between Gegard Mousasi and Douglas Lima.

Former middleweight champion Rafael Lovato Jr. was forced to relinquish the belt Monday due to ongoing medical complications.

The May 9 card will be held at SAP Center in San Jose and also features a light heavyweight title fight between Ryan Bader and Vadim Nemkov.

Mousasi (46-7-2) is a former UFC veteran and Bellator belt holder. After two successful defenses, he lost the middleweight championship to Lovato via majority decision last June. Prior to the defeat, Mousasi had won eight straight bouts.

Lima (32-7) is the current Bellator welterweight champion and will look to capture simultaneous gold in two divisions. He defeated Rory MacDonald in October to win the promotion's welterweight Grand Prix.