Scott Coker: MacDonald vs. Lima Welterweight Grand Prix Final Targeted for Late October

There appears to be a targeted date and venue for the Bellator welterweight grand prix final bout between Rory MacDonald and Douglas Lima.

“Rory was a little bit injured,” Bellator president Scott Coker said at a media day in California (video courtesy MMAjunkie.com). “He needed another 30 days of rest, which we gave him. So, he’s ready to go. That fight will happen at the end of October. Him and Lima will get it on up in the Mohegan Sun.”

While Coker didn’t give an exact date, it appears that MacDonald will face Lima at the Mohegan Sun Arena in Uncasville, Conn. The California-based promotion has not formally announced its October schedule.

Coker had initially mentioned September as a potential option for McDonald vs. Lima, but “The Red King” shot that down , citing the need for some time to recover following his five-round verdict over Neiman Gracie at Bellator 222 in June. MacDonald initially wanted something booked even later in the year, but it appears that he will be ready a little sooner than anticipated.

MacDonald claimed the welterweight crown with a hard-fought decision victory over Lima at Bellator 192 in January 2018. Before besting Gracie, MacDonald battled Jon Fitch to a majority draw in the first round of the tournament but advanced by virtue of being the reigning champion.

Lima punched his ticket to the finals with finishes of Andrey Koreshkov and Michael Page.