Within the industry, I can’t tell you how many times I’ve heard his name come up. “Dude, the guy is legit. Phenomenal Jiu-Jitsu, great striking with some serious POW behind his punches”—yes, the anonymously embarrassed associate of mine used the word “pow”, regardless, he ranted and raved about the skills of a relative unknown fighter.

However, now with the internet at our disposal and HdNet carrying live mixed martial arts events on a regular basis, more people are now aware of the talents of one Douglas Lima, and apparently so was Bjorn Rebney the CEO of Bellator Fighting Championships, whom have since signed the Brazilian dynamo.

Recently, Douglas served a three-fight stint with the ultra-popular Maximum Fighting Championships. In his debut bout, Lima took on touted Canadian prospect Ryan Ford, to whom he needed just 48-seconds in the round number two in order to submit with an armbar.

Next, Lima was pitted against Jesse Juarez for the promotion’s vacant 170-pound title. A formidable foe, Juarez kept things interesting in the early goings however eventually met with the talent’s of “The Phenom” and tapout or go to sleep to an arm triangle choke in the waning moments of the bout. Juarez tapped, making Lima the new MFC welterweight titleholder.

Next, Lima arguably took on his toughest challenge to date when he met with UFC veteran Terry Martin for the first (and now only) defense of his title. Despite Martin’s undefeated 4-0 mark as a part-time professional boxer, Lima eventually caught Martin as he was wading in with a powerful combination which seated Terry to his knees. The aftermath was academic, and the referee saved Martin from more punishment when he halted the bout just 74-seconds into the opening round.

Now on the heels of a 6-fight win streak, Lima has caught the attention of the Bellator promotion. At just 23-years-old, Lima will now be thrown into the thick of things in Bellator, and that’s exactly what he wants.

“In every promotion I’ve fought in, I’ve always wanted to be the best welterweight in the division – but with Bellator, this is it”, said Douglas in a official release from Bellator.

So, MMA peeps, what do you think of the news? How familiar are you with Lima and do you think he can make waves in Bellator? Sound off in the comment section below.