Create a free account to unlock this article! Get Started Already a subscriber? Log In

Douglas Lima doesn't get all too worked up about anything, but when it comes to letting his hands and feet go with the worst of intentions, "The Phenom's" laid back chill switches gears to something grittier.



Lima loves to fight. It's what he knows and there's something about the chaotic puzzle of it all that makes sense to him. It also helps the 29-year-old Brazilian is uniquely skilled at putting people to sleep in violent fashions. A nasty high kick and a heat seeker of a right hand has become a renowned stealer of souls in the fight game. My goodness that right hand.



Yet, with a week remaining until his next go inside the cage against Lorenz Larkin at Bellator NYC, the easiness can still be found in Lima's voice. In his mind the hard work is over, sweat equity invested and the time to have some fun is drawing near.



"I've been looking for this type of fight for a very long time," Lima told FloCombat. "It's a big card with great opponent and I'm going to make the most of it. I've done my work and now I have to go in and perform. This is the moment I've been waiting for and I'm absolutely going to make the most of this experience."



[tweet url="https://twitter.com/BellatorMMA/status/874721816207437824" hide_media="0" hide_thread="1"]



The American Top Team product is wired for the game, and this rings especially true when there's someone dangerous standing directly in front of him ready to scrap. And if past track records serve to point forward toward projection, it's a safe bet former UFC and Strikeforce fighter turned Bellator title challenger will bring exactly that.



The collision between the two versatile finishers has potential to be one of the best 170-pound tilts of the year, and Lima is downright ready to get to the ruckus.



"I extend that invite to [Larkin] all day long," Lima said. "Let him learn real quick what happens when you came at me aggressively. I look forward to it very much. I'm ready for his style and what he brings. I can't wait."



The two-time welterweight champion will square off with Larkin next Saturday night in Madison Square Garden, and Lima couldn't be more excited. The dual event ticket boasts the biggest lineup in the promotion's history, with legendary names and rising stars up and down the billing.



All eyes in the MMA world will be on the Bellator roster on June 24 and Lima plans to give them something special to remember...some technical brutality to take home with them.



"We are definitely going to steal the show on Saturday night," Lima said. "This is the main event in my eyes. Wanderlei [Silva] and Fedor [Emelianenko] have the biggest names and are legends of the sport, but as far as the fights go...this is it. This is the biggest fight on the card and Lorenz and I will prove it.



"We are going to steal the show and I'm going to come out on top with a great title defense. It's going to be a great night."





While Lima has experienced tremendous success during his six years fighting under the Bellator banner, it's a journey far from finished in his mind. Reclaiming his world title was the first major order of business and Lima did so by putting away Andrey Koreshkov at Bellator 164 last November.



With his coveted title in tow, the main objective in the here and now is to elevate his game and profile to the next level, and that's where Scott Coker's version of the promotion comes heavily into play. Lima has seen the company at the lowest of lows and it certainly makes him appreciate the rise to a larger platform the organization has been experiencing over the past two years.



Lima's consistency paired with Coker's vision have set the table for something historic to transpire in New York City. And while he may be far from satisfied, Lima's certainly found happiness with where the road has taken him.



"I love where Bellator is heading," Lima said. "I've been with this company a long time--since Bellator 49--when we were fighting in casinos in the middle of nowhere. To go from that to fighting at Madison Square Garden really shows how far things have come and the same for me as well.



"I love what Scott Coker has done and the growth that has happened since he arrived. I'm happy to be part of it and it's great to grow with a company like this."