Rafael Carvalho needed a pair of wins in Bellator to earn a shot at the middleweight title, and he’s surprised how quick he got to the top of the division.
The 29-year-old Brazilian signed with Bellator in 2014 after winning nine straight with eight TKO finishes in Brazil, and took only three minutes to stop veteran Brian Rogers in his promotional debut. Carvalho then returned against kickboxing sensation Joe Shilling in April, improving to 11-1 with a split decision win and earning a shot at the middleweight title against Brandon Halsey at Friday’s Bellator 144.