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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Bellator Fighting Championships has put together a highly competitive welterweight roster over the last couple of years, and for season five they are continuing to add to it.
The organization announced this week the additions of Maximum Fighting Championships' Welterweight Champion Douglas Lima and Wand Fight Team Muay Thai instructor Michael Costa to their welterweight roster.
The 23-year-old Lima brings a six-fight winning streak into his Bellator debut, including three straight stoppage victories in MFC. Most recently Lima took out UFC vet Terry Martin by TKO in the first round at MFC 29 last month.
"In every promotion I've fought in, I've always wanted to be the best welterweight in the division - but with Bellator, this is it," said Lima. "This is a big organization and I'm going to be fighting on national television on MTV2. This is it for me, finally."
"I just really want to finish all of my fights. Every time I fight, I'm always looking for some way to finish. I don't like leaving my fate in the hands of the judges. If we stand up I'm going to try to knock my opponent's head off, and if we go to the ground, I'm good there too."
Said Bellator founder and CEO Bjorn Rebney on Lima - "Over the last two years, Douglas has taken his game to an entirely different level. Many considered him one of the top unsigned welterweights in MMA today. I'm very happy to say that he's no longer unsigned and that he will be fighting for Bellator. We continue to develop one of the strongest 170 lbs. divisions in the sport, and Douglas will be a fantastic addition to that."
Costa is a Brazilian Jiu Jitsu and Muay Thai black belt who has been affiliated with the UFC's Wanderlei Silva for a long time, from the early days of the Chute Boxe Academy to an instructor for the Wand Fight Team. He has not fought very often as of late, but did win his last fight by TKO in the first round last November.
"Michael Costa has all the tools to have a breakout year and his no nonsense approach in the cage made him a perfect fit for Bellator," said Rebney. "His addition to our welterweight division makes a strong 170 lbs. class that much stronger."
"Anyone that has seen me fight before knows that I fight with all my heart, and that I fight to finish my fights by knockout," said Costa. "For me, fighting is a war. I want to finish all of my fights with Bellator so the fans remember my name."
"Now that I have this incredible opportunity with Bellator, I'm going to work harder than ever to make the most of it for myself, my fans, and my family. When people talk about Bellator, I want them to talk about Michael Costa. I want them to talk about me like they talk about Hector Lombard. I'm here to make a name for myself with Bellator, and that's what I'm about to do."
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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