Sherdog’s Top 10: Greatest Bellator Fights

8. Douglas Lima vs. Andrey Koreshkov 2 | Bellator 164 (Nov. 10, 2016)

Lima versus Koreshkov is a cruelly neglected rivalry in the annals of the sport's history. Their first two fights were contested for the Bellator welterweight throne, with the title changing hands on both occasions, and their third encounter was in the opening round of the inaugural Bellator Welterweight Grand Prix. Both former champions were in their prime for that one, with Lima going on to win the grand prix and reclaim his welterweight throne for an incredible third time, snatching it back from Rory MacDonald, who had beaten him for it. By far the best of Lima and Koreshkov’s three fights was the second. Koreshkov, whose base was kickboxing, had unveiled impressive wrestling to repeatedly take Lima down in their first meeting, winning a clear unanimous decision. He was especially confident in their rematch, as he had just dominated recent UFC lightweight champion Benson Henderson for all 25 minutes in a title defense, despite Henderson being a big betting favorite. However, Lima was a far better fighter than Henderson at their point in their respective careers.

The match began as a high-level kickboxing contest, with both men flicking out fast, powerful, very straight jabs and working their trademark kicks, Lima throwing his to the legs and Koreshkov at the body and head. Two minutes into the fight, Lima came forward with punches and Koreshkov ducked down for an instant double-leg takedown that would make any NCAA Division 1 wrestler proud. Lima, however, lifted him up with butterfly hooks and neatly returned to his feet, an ability that has waned in recent years but was at its apex then. After a brief period in the clinch, they resumed striking, and Lima landed a few hellacious kicks that buckled Koreshkov's left leg. The Russian sought to land strikes of his own, but Lima's defense was dazzling, with small, quick head movements to barely avoid punches and a brilliant sense of distance. In the second round, Lima took just 12 seconds to land another gorgeous leg kick, clearly hurting the champion. Koreshkov landed a big body kick of his own, but similar to the movie “Bloodsport,” Lima just took it and whipped out a leg kick in response, this one leaving the Russian limping. The Brazilian opened up with his hands, scoring with a number of neat jabs, though he continued hurting Koreshkov with leg kicks, all timed perfectly. Koreshkov realized time was of the essence, coming forward with power punches, but couldn't land. Two minutes into the round, he once again changed levels and easily got a double-leg against the cage. The champion was far from finished, landing solid ground-and-pound, with a series of right hands to Lima's dome drawing appreciative cheers from the crowd. Lima tried to wall-walk, but Koreshkov showed good top control, sucking his hips out and planting them firmly flat on the canvas. The champion continued hammering the challenger to the body and head to crowd applause, and the second stanza ended with the showdown tied at one round apiece.

Koreshkov started the third round confidently, whipping a murderous left hook into right hook combo at Lima's head that barely missed, and connecting on nice kicks to the body and surprisingly, the legs. However, almost a minute in, the Brazilian reminded Koreshkov that he was still in the fight with yet another bone-crunching leg kick. After a second one, the Russian came forward, cornering Lima against the cage and unloading with a series of punches. They partially landed, but Lima was rolling well with the blows and at the absolute perfect moment, starched Koreshkov with a left hook so pretty it could be framed on a wall. As Koreshkov was planted on the canvas, not sure where he was but still conscious, Lima delivered a huge right follow-up to put his lights out for good, becoming Bellator's welterweight king for a second time. The finish reminded me a lot of Israel Adesanya’s recent knockout of Alex Pereira to regain his UFC middleweight championship. I consider Lima-Koreshkov 2 a true classic not only of Bellator but of the sport as a whole. A great, close fight between great martial artists featuring both striking and grappling with a sudden, spectacular ending.

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