Askren-Lima, FW Semis, Horodecki Booked for Bellator 64 in Ontario

Ben Askren will defend his welterweight title against Douglas Lima at Bellator 64, promotion officials announced Wednesday.

The 170-pound title tilt will take place at The Colosseum at Caesars Windsor in Windsor, Ontario, Canada. The promotion also announced that its Season 6 featherweight semifinals will take place at the event in addition to the third Bellator appearance of former IFL and WEC talent Chris Horodecki. The promotion has not yet announced an opponent for “The Polish Hammer.”

A former University of Missouri wrestling standout, Askren has yet to stumble in his pro career, posting a perfect 6-0 Bellator record since joining the Chicago-based promotion nearly two years ago.

Askren made an immediate impact in Bellator, winning the Season 2 welterweight tournament and capturing the world title from then-champion Lyman Good to close out a perfect 2010. The 27-year-old was successful in his lone defense of the belt last year, edging Season 4 tournament victor Jay Hieron via split decision in October at Bellator 56.

Lima, 24, rides a nine-fight winning streak into his title showdown with Askren.

The Brazilian has impressed in his Bellator career thus far, outpointing Steve Carl before knocking out Chris Lozano and Ben Saunders to claim the Season 5 welterweight tournament title. The former Maximum Fighting Championship 170-pound pacesetter has finished 18 of his 21 career victims by either knockout or submission and has been finished only twice in five years as a pro.