Douglas Lima stepped inside the Bellator cage for his 43rd career fight as the promotion returned to Paris for Bellator 296. The former welterweight champion looked to snap a four-fight losing streak as he met Dutch standout Costello van Steenis in a middleweight bout. ‘The Spaniard’ walked into the contest gunning for his third-straight win after scoring victories over Kamil Oniszczuk and Fabian Edwards in his last two outings.
Round 1
Costello van Steenis gets things started with a calf kick to Douglas Lima. Van Steenis attempts another and Lima responds with an overhand right that narrowly misses. Van Steenis moves in for a takedown and briefly gets Lima down, but ‘The Phenom’ pops right back up. Van Steenis backs Lima to the cage and swings for a wild spinning back fist that misses. It allows Lima to separate and return to the center of the cage. Van Steenis goes to the body with a front kick that moves Lima back. Lima follows up with a kick of his own followed by a left-hand-calf kick combination. Van Steenis continues to work the front kick to create space. Lima doubles up on the jab, finding his range for the first time with a minute left in the round. Van Steenis throws a body kick that is caught by Lima and he returns fire with a calf kick followed by another. With 30 seconds to go, Van Steenis scores a quick takedown, but Lima once again pops back up against the gage. They clinch against the fence as the round ends.
Round 2
Douglas Lima comes out for the second round immediately firing a right. Both men are trading a variety of kicks with Lima landing a nasty calf kick on van Steenis. Lima is moving forward, but neither fighter is offering much in the way of offense at the two-minute mark of the round. Straight right hand from Lima hits the mark followed by another big calf kick. Van Steenis attempts to throw a wheel kick and slips in the process. Lima lays into his opponents’ legs until the ref calls Van Steenis back up. Lima continues putting on the pressure and attacking the leg. Thus far, Van Steenis has not offered much in return. Van Steenis switches stances as he eats another stiff calf kick from Lima. Van Steenis moves in to clinch against the fence, but Lima reverses position. Van Steenis reverses and changes levels, getting Lima to the ground where they spend the final 30 seconds of the round.
Round 3
Costello van Steenis comes out with a head kick that misses the mark. Lima looks to land a big right hand. Big right hand from Lima rocks van Steenis. He follows it up with a calf kick and stalks his opponent against the fence, but decides to take his time rather than going in for the kill. Van Steenis recovers as Lima continues to look for the right hand. Van Steenis quickly changes levels and scores a quick takedown. Lima pops back up and reverses position against the fence before separating and re-centering. Lima throws a calf kick and van Steenis attempts to shoot for a takedown, but to no avail. Lima clinches up with van Steenis against the fence. Van Steenis reverses prompting Lima to break free and get back to the center. Both fighters are content throwing one strike at a time going into the final minute. Lima attacks the leg. Van Steenis shoots in once again with a separation takedown attempt but comes up short and the two men finish the round clinched against the fence.
Official Results: Douglas Lima def. Costello van Steenis via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
Check Out Highlights From Douglas Lima vs. Costello van Steenis at Bellator 296 Below:
Now it's @PhenomLima with the offense. #Bellator296 | 🇺🇸 @SHOsports | 🇫🇷 @RMCSport pic.twitter.com/3xkYobKZ9o
— Bellator MMA (@BellatorMMA) May 12, 2023
Douglas Lima gets the decision victory!#Bellator296's Main card is LIVE on Showtime! pic.twitter.com/PAuYpatpSO
— SHOWTIME SPORTS (@SHOsports) May 12, 2023
#Bellator296 Official result: Douglas Lima @PhenomLima def. Costello Van Steenis via Unanimous Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28) pic.twitter.com/i0iONGssTj
— Bellator Public Relations (@BellatorPR) May 12, 2023
