Gegard Mousasi Defends Middleweight Title Against Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 214

Middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi will put his title on the line against submission specialist Rafael Lovato Jr. at Bellator 214 on Jan. 26 in California.

The title fight will serve as the co-main event to the finals of the heavyweight grand prix that will feature Ryan Bader vs. Fedor Emelianenko in the main event. Bellator officials announced the news on Monday.

Mousasi is coming off one of the biggest wins of his career as he dominated and then finished reigning Bellator welterweight champion Rory MacDonald in September.

Since coming to Bellator via free agency, Mousasi has gone a perfect 3-0 including his title fight win and title defense against MacDonald.

Now he will face one of the most dangerous Brazilian jiu-jitsu specialists in the sport as Lovato will get his first crack at Bellator gold.

Lovato is currently 9-0 in his career including five wins in Bellator with four of those ending by way of knockout or submission.

Bellator 214 takes place at The Forum in Inglewood, Calif. on the same night as UFC 233 in Anaheim, Calif. with the two promotions squaring off in a southern California showdown.