Bellator Fighting Championships' stable of Brazilian prospects just keeps on growing. Announced Monday, the promotion signed undefeated up-and-comer Rodrigo "Ratinho" Lima to a two-year, three-fight contract. Tatame.com first reported the news.
Lima joins Bellator's quickly expanding featherweight division, that includes rising names such as Pat Curran, Marlon Sandro, Patricio Freire, and promotion champion Joe Warren. The Brazilian is reportedly planning for a January debut, but no official opponent or date has been confirmed.
At just 20 years old, Lima has firmly established himself as a legitimate prospect at 145 pounds with a string of first round finishes inside Brazil's Watch Out Combat Show. The Tata Fight Team representative last fought in May, defeating Heliovanio Dexter Batista da Silva in the opening frame via rear-naked choke.
"The fans can hope to see an aggressive fighter. I'll get there to knockout or submit, as I've always done when I fought in Brazil," Lima excitedly explained to Tatame.com following the signing. "People will like me because I'm coming to stay and I'll play hard. I'm a BJJ brown belt, and I got much to learn from coach ‘Pochete,' but I'll focus my prep on boxing and wrestling. In the United States there are great wrstlers and I'll get there prepared to fight anywhere. I'm coming to finish them."