Douglas Lima’s broken hand – photo via Facebook.com/PhenomLima
A Bellator Welterweight Tournament rematch between Douglas ‘The Phenom’ Lima (24-5) and Ben ‘Killa B’ Saunders (16-5-2) for the Season Eight crown has been postponed due to a broken hand Lima suffered in his last fight.
Lima earned a first round knockout victory over replacement fighter Bryan Baker at Bellator 90 last month in Utah, possibly breaking his hand with the one punch KO.
Bellator CEO Bjorn Rebney posted the update on Twitter (@BjornRebney), revealing that the two Season Five finalists would meet sometime this summer.
Lima meanwhile posted this x-ray of his broken hand on Facebook along with the message “So disappointed but looks like I wont be able to fight March 21st. I broke my hand against Baker and doctor told me not to fight. So I thank @BjornRebney and @bellatorMMA for moving the final against Saunders to next season. Thank you guys and I’ll keep you updated!”
Lima and Saunders were scheduled to meet on March 21, 2013 at Bellator 93 in Lewiston, Maine. Now the two will meet at a 2013 Summer Series event.
In their first meeting, back at Bellator 57 in November 2011 in the Season Five welterweight final, Lima walked away the victor with a second round knockout finish.
Lima went on to face Bellator champ Ben Askren in April 2012, losing that match by decision. Since then ‘The Phenom’ has won two straight including finishes over Michael Tsarev and Bryan Baker to earn his way into the finals.
Saunders has also won three straight with victories against Raul Amaya and Koffi Adzitso in the Season Eight Tournament. ‘Killa B’ also competed in the Season Six tournament, losing by decision to Baker in the semi-finals.