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Mousasi edges Lima to win Bellator middleweight title

Dave Kotinsky / Getty Images Entertainment / Getty

Gegard Mousasi is once again the Bellator middleweight champion.

Mousasi defeated Douglas Lima via unanimous decision (48-47, 49-46, 49-46) in the Bellator 250 main event Thursday to win the vacant title. The show took place at Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Connecticut.

Mousasi, a former UFC contender, captured the Bellator middleweight title for the first time in May 2018. He defended it against Rory MacDonald but then lost it to Rafael Lovato Jr. in June 2019.

Lovato relinquished the 185-pound belt earlier in 2020 due to health issues and later announced his retirement. That set up the vacant title bout between Mousasi, who entered the matchup coming off a win over Lyoto Machida, and Lima, the reigning welterweight champion looking to become the third simultaneous two-division champ in Bellator history.

For the most part, Mousasi used his striking to get the better of Lima through 25 minutes. He pressured his opponent and attacked with jabs and leg kicks. In the first round, the 35-year-old took Lima down and held him to the mat until the end of the frame. Mousasi also landed solid ground-and-pound.

Mousasi didn't seriously go for another takedown until the fifth round and again got Lima to the ground. Lima is a sharp striker and is best known for his ferocious leg kicks, but the Brazilian was too tentative throughout the five-round contest. Lima constantly backed up, allowing Mousasi to outpoint him on the feet.

Mousasi has now won two straight bouts. Lima, meanwhile, saw his three-fight win streak come to an end.

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