RCC x Karate Combat card has received another high-profile matchup. RCC MMA champion Vladislav Kovalev will make his grappling debut against one of the most famous fighters in Bellator history — Douglas Lima.
Vladislav "Belaz" Kovalev received a high-profile international matchup.
On October 17 in Yekaterinburg, RCC MMA champion will compete in a grappling match against three-time Bellator champion Douglas Lima. The bout will be included in the card of the joint RCC x Karate Combat tournament.
For "Belaz" this will be the first official outing under grappling rules, but ground fighting has become one of his main weapons in MMA. Kovalev secured his last three title victories by submission — over Alexander Shlemenko, Armen Petrosyan and Mikhail Ragozin.
Lima has vast experience at the highest level: the Brazilian has become Bellator champion three times and has fought Ben Askren, Rory MacDonald, Andrey Koreshkov, Yaroslav Amosov and Michael Page. His career also includes 11 submission victories.
The tournament will be held at UGMC-Arena, and the main event will be the title fight between Ilyas Khamzin and Cosmo Alexander.