Gegard Mousasi, Douglas Lima Vie For Vacant Bellator Middleweight Title Clash

Photo Credit: Dave Mandel - USA TODAY Sports
Gegard Mousasi has called for a vacant middleweight title clash against either Douglas Lima or John Salter.

With current Bellator MMA middleweight championship holder, Rafael Lovato Jr. shelved, "indefinitely", former division champion, Gegard Mousasi, and reigning 170-pound best, Douglas Lima have both called for a vacant title be to introduced.

Ohio native and undefeated grappling sensation, Lovato, recently spoke with UFC color commentator where he revealed he had been diagnosed with a brain disease called, cavernoma. The 36-year-old managed a unanimous decision triumph over Mousasi last summer and told how he's not officially retired from active competition, but will face a significant spell on the sidelines.

With the title currently in limbo - decorated Dutch kickboxer, Mousasi, has called for a clash with either the aforementioned Lima or former UFC and Strikeforce alumni, John Salter - who has won his last two fights.

"Bellator, send me the next victim. I'm hungry. @JohnSalter_mma or @PhenomLima, I am down for either. @BellatorMMA @MikeKoganMMA @ScottCoker"

Bellator, send me the next victim. I’m hungry. @JohnSalter_mma or @PhenomLima , I am down for either. @BellatorMMA @MikeKoganMMA @ScottCoker pic.twitter.com/BwUIYekRJj

— Gegard Mousasi (@mousasi_mma) February 1, 2020

As of yet, it's unknown if Bellator MMA will elect to strip Lovato Jr. of the title during his absence, in order to allow the division to continue.  A victory for Mousasi, who recently managed a split decision win over Lyoto Machida in the pair's rematch, would add to his championship successes previous - following title successes in both the middleweight and light heavyweight division's of DREAM, the Cage Warriors light heavyweight throne, the Strikeforce 205-pound title, and the Bellator middleweight crown.

Potential opponent Lima has won three straight fights over the course of the last two years - lodging wins over Andrey Koreshkov, Michael 'Venom' Page, and Rory MacDonald. As noted earlier, submission specialist Salter has managed wins over Chidi Njokuani and Costello Van Steenis recently.

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