Former Bellator champion Douglas Lima is excited for Bellator 267.

For the first time in several fights, Lima will compete in a scheduled three-round contest. Lima and Michael Page headline the Showtime main card live from London.

And while the excitement of being able to go full-force for 15 minutes is there, Lima also will be fighting as the “enemy.” 

But he isn’t concerned about that.

“This will not be the first time I fight someone on their home turf. To me, the cage is the same, and I am just focused on my opponent,” Lima said. “Whether I get boos or cheers, the crowd never gets to me, but I am excited to fight in front of them. I have the cardio to go five rounds. This is a three rounder for the first time in a long time, which means I can push the pace more in this fight. I will be ready to go Friday night.”

Lima has dropped two straight by decision, with both being five round fights. He is just a couple of years removed from besting Rory MacDonald to claim the Bellator welterweight title.

That run to the grand prix final included a 2019 knockout of Page. 

“I am expecting the same (as the first fight). He (MVP) is very crafty, and he moves a lot. I expect him to stay on the outside more and not allow me to close the distance. But, at the end of the day, I see the same fighter as last time and I expect the same result,” Lima said. “I do not agree he (MVP) was winning the (first) fight. The only thing he did was that one punch.  I landed on him and was on top of him for the first round. I guess it is good for his mental (health) to convince himself he was winning, but I know how it was going, and I was winning. The same will happen Friday night.”

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