Former Bellator champ Douglas Lima books first assignment since extending contract

For a while, it seemed Douglas Lima’s future in Bellator was up in the air, but he’s now on a new deal and has a fight on the books.

Lima (33-11) will face Aaron Jeffery (14-5) at the Bellator Champions Series event Sept. 7 at Pechanga Arena in San Diego, a promotion official confirmed to MMA Junkie after an initial report by MMA Fighting.

The fight will mark Lima’s first in 16 months as he was in limbo during the early stages of the PFL-Bellator merger. Lima voiced displeasure with the new regime’s business dealings, but the two sides eventually came to terms.

Lima, 36, is one of the most decorated fighters in Bellator history. He served as one of the faces of the promotion during multiple reigns as its welterweight champion. In recent years, Lima has struggled. After four straight losses, Lima finally found victory in his most recent outing, a unanimous decision win over Costello van Steenis at middleweight.

Jeffery, 31, aims to bounce back from a March unanimous decision defeat to Fabian Edwards. The loss dropped him to 1-2 in his most recent three fights.

With the additions, the Bellator Champions Series: San Diego lineup includes:

• Champion Usman Nurmagomedov vs. Alexander Shabliy
• Marcos Breno vs. Raufeon Stots
• Levan Chokheli vs. Lorenz Larkin
• Aaron Jeffery vs. Douglas Lima

For more on the card, visit MMA Junkie’s event hub for Bellator Champions Series: San Diego.