Douglas Lima (born 5 January 1988) is a Brazilian mixed martial artist who competes in the welterweight and middleweight divisions of Bellator MMA, where he is a former three-time Bellator Welterweight Champion.
He is also the former MFC Welterweight Champion.
Lima and his younger brother, Dhiego, own and operate American Top Team - Team Lima in Duluth, Georgia.
As of August 16, 2023, he is #7 in the Bellator Welterweight Rankings and #7 in the Bellator Middleweight Rankings.
Lima was born in Brazil and moved to the state of Georgia in the United States graduating from Joseph Wheeler High School.
He began training with American Top Team Atlanta.
Son to Fausto and Cologera Lima.
He trains with Roan Carneiro.
Lima began his professional mixed martial arts career with decent success, soon compiling a record of 5–0.
2007
In February 2007, Lima faced the future Ultimate Fighter competitor Matt Brown for the ISCF (International Sport Combat Federation) Pro East Coast Welterweight Title.
Brown dealt Lima his first professional loss by defeating him via TKO due to punches in the second round.
2008
In May 2008, Lima had his first defense of the title against Brent Weedman.
Weedman was reportedly brought in to the fight to showcase Lima's skills, as Weedman was expected to be an easy fight.
Weedman threatened early on with a triangle choke which was unsuccessful.
Late in the second round, Weedman again caught Lima in a triangle choke, but transitioned to an armbar, which forced Lima to submit, giving Weedman the title.
Weedman would later go on to say "They brought me in because Douglas Lima would make a great champ for them. Now, it's my turn to step up. I feel good about the fact that I did a one-fight deal with them. We're going to talk a multi-fight contract now."
Following the loss, Lima never appeared for the AFL promotion again.
Following another win via TKO, Lima joined World Extreme Cagefighting.
His debut fight was scheduled to take place at WEC 39 against Justin Haskins.
However, Lima was forced to withdraw from the card while waiting on papers to arrive from the U.S. Bureau of Citizenship and Immigration Services.
Lima's WEC debut never transpired, as instead, he joined King of the Cage, where he faced another future Ultimate Fighter competitor in Charles Blanchard, losing by unanimous decision.
2010
In September 2010, Douglas Lima joined the Maximum Fighting Championship, facing off against Ryan Ford.
In front of Ford's hometown fans, Lima was able to defeat Ford via armbar, early in the second round.
With the win, Lima was given an MFC Welterweight title shot against Jesse Juarez at MFC 27.
Lima went on to defeat Juarez via armbar, midway through the final round.
Lima then defended the title against Terry Martin at MFC 29, winning the fight via first-round TKO.
2011
In May 2011, it was announced that Lima had signed to fight for Bellator Fighting Championships.
Lima entered into the Bellator Season 5 Welterweight Tournament.
He fought Steve Carl in the opening round held at Bellator 49 and won the fight via unanimous decision.
Lima fought Chris Lozano in the semifinals at Bellator 53 and won via KO in the second round.
In the finals, he faced Ben Saunders and won via KO in the second round.
2012
Lima got his title shot against welterweight champion Ben Askren at Bellator 64 on April 6, 2012.
He lost the fight via unanimous decision.
Lima defeated Jacob Ortiz via head kick and knee at 4:50 of the third round at Bellator 79 on November 2, 2012.
2013
Lima faced Russian MMA prospect Michail Tsarev in Season Eight Welterweight Tournament on January 24, 2013 at Bellator 86.
He won the fight via TKO due to leg strikes in round 2.
In the semi-finals, he was scheduled to face Brent Weedman.
Weedman suffered an injury and was replaced by Bryan Baker at Bellator 90 on February 21, 2013.
He won the fight via knock out in the first round.
He was expected to face Ben Saunders in a rematch in the tournament final at Bellator 93.
