Back on top! @PhenomLima #Bellator164 #AndNew pic.twitter.com/GXjGHI21mn
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) November 12, 2016
A former Bellator MMA welterweight champion became a new Bellator MMA welterweight champion last night (Fri., Nov. 11, 2016) at Bellator 164 from inside Menora Mivtachim Arena in Tel Aviv, Israel, as Brazilian finisher Douglas Lima dismantled titleholder Andrey Koreshkov to the tune of a third-round knockout to claim 170-pound gold. It was Lima’s sixth finish since losing to Ben Askren back in 2012.
After two rounds that favored Koreshkov’s takedown ability and top control, Lima was able to bait the Russian into an exchange along the cage and launched a devilish left hand that slumped the champ. Lima added one insurance shot for safe keeping before the referee peeled him off and rewarded him with the third-round knockout stoppage.
The memorable finish can be seen above courtesy of Bellator MMA.
With this win, Lima reclaims the promotional throne he resided in not too long ago. He’s still regarded as one of the best welterweights in the world competing outside of Ultimate Fighting Championship (UFC) and proved himself worthy against a tough champion in Koreshkov, who came into the contest off a five-round dissection of former UFC champion Benson Henderson.
For complete Bellator 164 results and coverage click here.