Lima was near-perfect in a rematch with Rory MacDonald, shutting out the decorated vet on two of three judges scorecards to take home a unanimous decision and recapture the welterweight title.
The final scores were 50-45 twice and 49-46 for Lima, who picked up a $1 million check as the winner of the Bellator welterweight grand prix.
“It’s been a long road, but we did it,” said the three-time champ afterward. “He’s a warrior. I’m honored to share the cage with him one more time, and I have nothing but respect for him.”
The win capped an impressive run for Lima in the eight-man competition.