“I Can Put Him Away” – Bellator Welterweight Champ Claims He Can Easily Knockout Kamaru Usman

Cross-promotion fights are a far-fetched dream in mixed martial arts. Fighters from Bellator have expressed the desire to fight against their cross-promotional counterparts several times. The most recent example is of Bellator’s biggest signing Cris Cyborg. Bellator Welterweight champ, Douglas Lima, is pretty sure that a cross-promotional fight will not happen. However, if it does, he knows how he will fare against Kamaru Usman.

Dana White has shown absolute disdain to the idea of a cross-promotional pairing. However, if it does happen, Douglas Lima will get to fight UFC 170-pounds champ, Kamaru Usman.  While talking to BJPENN.com, Lima said that the UFC is avoiding the match-up because there’s a large risk involved. If the Nigerian succumbs to Lima, the UFC’s stock will take a big hit.

“I mean, to be honest, I don’t think it will ever happen but I hope it does. I just don’t think the UFC wants to do something like that. It’s a big risk for them because if he loses, he loses some of that star power,” Lima said.

Douglas Lima became the Welterweight champ after defeating former UFC top contender Rory MacDonald. Lima is pretty confident in his ability to outclass Usman. He believes Kamaru will avoid standing and trading with him. Consequently, the former will be shooting for takedowns. But Lima is confident in his ability to stuff them up as well.

“KO. I mean, he’s a fantastic fighter, amazing wrestler and good striking. He’s good everywhere but man, I believe I can connect and put him away. I can stuff his takedowns because he wouldn’t want to stand with me,” he concluded. “I believe in my skills, I can put him away, it wouldn’t take much either.”

Douglas Lima not fighting Kamaru Usman reveals what is wrong with MMA today

The ideal scenario in sports should be that the champion is better than everyone else. While it is true for other competitions, the same can’t be said about MMA. Owing to the system of multiple promotions boasting of good fighters, the idea of a singular best is never achieved.

Lima pointed towards boxing where rival promotions kept their differences aside to put up the biggest fight in Deontay Wilder vs Tyson Fury. He hopes that the MMA community can draw inspiration from the same.

“Every sport pairs the best against the best. In MMA, it’s about the company. UFC wants to be known as the best, and they’ve done so much for MMA,” he said. “But, at the end of the day, it should be about who’s the best fighter in the world. If you want to prove you are the best, fight other people. That is the only part of MMA that sucks.”

Having captured the 170-pounds belt, Lima was en route to adding one more to his collection. He was supposed to fight Gegard Mousasi for the vacant Middleweight title on May 9 in California. However, Bellator cancelled the event owing to the ongoing pandemic.