The middleweight title is on the line in the main event of Bellator London as Gegard Mousasi takes on undefeated challenger Rafael Lovato Jr.
Mousasi (45-6-2) returns to action for the first time since defeating Rory MacDonald via TKO at Bellator 206 this past September.
The reigning Bellator middleweight champion, Gegard Mousasi, will enter tonight’s contest on an eight fight winning streak, which includes victories over Thales Leites, Thiago Santos, Vitor Belfort, Uriah Hall, Chris Weidman, Alexander Schlemenko and Rafael Carvalho.
Meanwhile, Rafael Lovato Jr. (9-0) enters Bellator London on the heels of a third round submission victory over John Salter.
Rafael has gone a perfect 5-0 under the Bellator banner, earning three submission victories and one TKO during that stretch.
Round two highlights:
Amazing transition from @LovatoJrBJJ in round two!#Bellator223 pic.twitter.com/B7jVh8oPnP
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 22, 2019
Round three highlights:
The reversal in round three goes to @Mousasi_MMA!#Bellator223 pic.twitter.com/cfqsMpbwvJ
— BellatorMMA (@BellatorMMA) June 22, 2019
https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1142565737275506688
Gegard Mousasi was able to drop Rafael Lovato Jr early in round four, but the undefeated challenger was to fight through the adversity to see a fifth and final round.
https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1142566782194114562
Lovato Jr was able to score a takedown and take Mousasi’s back in round five. After landing some nasty elbows, Rafael locked in a body triangle. However, the savvy veteran, Mousasi, managed to survive to hear the final horn and so we went to the judges scorecards for a decision.
https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/1142567678793723906
Official Bellator London Result: Rafael Lovato Jr def. Gegard Mousasi via majority decision (47-47, 48-47 x2)
Who would you like to see newly crowned Bellator middleweight champion Rafael Lovato Jr fight in his next bout? Sound off in the comments section PENN Nation!
This article first appeared on BJPENN.com June 22, 2019