Rafael Lovato Jr. Vacates Bellator Middleweight Title As He Battle Cavernous Hemangioma
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| Photo Credit: Dave Mandel - USA TODAY Sports Rafael Lovato Jr. has made the decision to vacate the Bellator MMA middleweight championship. |
Reigning Bellator MMA middleweight champion, Rafael Lovato Jr. has relinquished his world championship, as he battles cavernous hemangioma - per an official press release from the promotion on Monday evening. The Oklahoma native scored a championship victory over the decorated Gegard Mousasi last summer, lodging a unanimous decision triumph and retaining his undefeated record in the process.
Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu specialist, Lovato Jr. recently revealed the problematic brain disease during an episode of The Joe Rogan Experience, detailing how before his middleweight bout with Mousasi - was never ushered to complete a brain scan before gaining clearance to compete in his ten fight professional career. While not proving problematic in his day-to-day life, Lovato Jr. explained how a cavernoma can develop into a dangerous disease in the future. A cavernoma is defined as a cluster of abnormal blood vessels that can cause seizures, stroke symptoms hemorrhages, and headaches and is believed to be a hereditary disease.
Per an official press release from Bellator - Lovato Jr. detailed the support he had received from the promotion after his diagnosis.
"My journey with my team and family to become the Bellator middleweight world champion was incredible and something I'll cherish forever," Lovato Jr. said. "I dreamed of having a long reign as champion, but sometimes life has another plan. Bellator has been very supportive during this difficult process, a situation that has never really happened before in our sport. I know the division must move on while I am on the sidelines and I wish everyone great fights on their way to the title. I will be working to come back if it is possible - and if not, life will continue to be amazing for me and I look forward to working with Bellator in another fashion."
In terms of the forward movement of the division - former champion, Mousasi has recently called for a vacant title meeting with current welterweight best, Brazil's Douglas Lima, or surging grappler, John Salter in previous weeks.
Bellator MMA president, Scott Coker also commented on Lovato Jr's. decision to vacant the 185-pound championship.
"This has been an incredibly difficult time for (Rafael) Lovato (Jr.), his team and his family at home," Coker commented. "He's is a true warrior of the sport and I cannot say enough about him for making such a difficult decision. His health is the priority for us and we will continue to work with him on addressing the next steps in his career."
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