Rafael Lovato Jr is riding high on his latest Bellator victory – against a seasoned grappling expert John Salter.
“He definitely made it a war and brought out the best in me,” Lovato Jr. told MMAjunkie continuing:
“I’m ready,” he said. “They give me the opportunity, I’m taking it. I’d love to fight either one of those guys. It would be an honor. They’re both legends; they’re both warriors.
“I’m putting everything into this, and I feel like I’m in a very special phase of my life right now, and I would love this opportunity and this challenge to fulfill my martial arts destiny and become a world champion.
What a chess match! ♟️@lovatojrbjj and @JohnSalter_mma serving up the high-level grappling exchanges we all anticipated! #Bellator205 pic.twitter.com/wZSiTmUvYX
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) September 22, 2018
Lovato Jr is 35 years old and is one of the rare non Brazilian holders of significant IBJJF titles.
Gegard Mousasi-Rafael Lovato Jr. for the Bellator Middleweight Title on Jan. 26 in L.A. pic.twitter.com/wPEyNLq3Z3
— Scott Coker (@ScottCoker) November 20, 2018
Bellator announces middleweight champ Gegard Mousasi will defend his title against Rafael Lovato Jr. on Jan. 26 in Los Angeles. That’s the same card as the HWT tourney final between Fedor Emelianenko and Ryan Bader, that will go against UFC 233 on the same night in the same area.
— Brett Okamoto (@bokamotoESPN) November 20, 2018
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