Finish would be nice for Bellator 97's Rodrigo Lima, but win most important

Rodrigo Lima is a finisher. But so far, the Brazilian hasn’t been able to prove that at the next level.

Lima, in his two fights with Bellator, has dropped a decision and won one. On Wednesday night against Rafael Silva, his plan is to change the course of things – at the most opportune time possible: Bellator’s next bantamweight tournament. But then again, if he has to go 15 minutes, so be it.

Lima (11-1 MMA, 1-1 BMMA) and Silva (19-3 MMA, 0-0 BMMA) fight on the preliminary card of Bellator 97, which takes place at Santa Ana Star Center in Rio Rancho, N.M., near Albuquerque. The main card airs on Spike TV, while the Lima-Silva bantamweight tourney semifinal fight streams on Spike.com.

“Usually, my intent is to finish in first round,” Lima told MMAjunkie.com (www.mmajunkie.com). “I don’t know how it’s going to play out. I’m merely concerned with winning. I hope I put on a good show, but I’ll take a decision win.”

Lima, who recently moved to the U.S. from Brazil, said he traveled to New Mexico earlier than normal to acclimate prior to his fight, and he’s getting some pretty high-quality help leading up to the fight.

Lima has been staying with UFC featherweight and “Ultimate Fighter” winner Diego Brandao, who trains at Jackson-Winkeljohn’s MMA in Albququerque. Brandao, along with his brother, will be trying to help Lima into the tourney finals.

But to get there, he’ll have to beat a Bellator newcomer on a big streak. Silva has won 11 straight fights and 18 of his past 19 since starting his career 1-2. And 16 of his 19 wins are by stoppage with an equal amount of submissions and knockouts.

“He’s tough and very experienced,” Lima said. “I believe he’s well-trained and focused for his Bellator debut. I expect him to come hard, but there’s going to be a wall to stop him. I hope it will be a great fight that the crowd can enjoy. He comes from luta livre and I come from jiu-jitsu. I believe in my jiu-jitsu. Whoever makes a mistake will pay the price.”

This is Lima’s second chance in a Bellator tournament. But against Hiroshi Nakamura at Bellator 64 in April 2012, his promotional debut, he dropped a decision.

It’s a fight he would love to have back. He lost a point for a low blow, which didn’t help – though didn’t affect the judges’ scores, who would’ve had it 29-28 for Nakamura despite many believing Lima had done enough to win the fight.

“Lack of experience and of the proper strategy (caused me to lose),” he said. “I wasn’t focused. I felt the pressure of debuting in a big promotion. I was tense. I tried too hard to get a knockout. Against Ronnie Mann, I fought a lot better. I would love to face (Nakamura) again. Some folks thought I won because I attacked more, but he’s a very experienced fighter. Plus I kneed him in the cup and that cost me a point.”

But right now, there’s no looking back. The Nakamura loss 16 months ago and impressive win over Mann in March won’t matter if he can’t beat Silva.

“If you only win, you won’t learn as much,” Lima said. “When losses occur, the better fighters keep on moving ahead. After my loss, I decided I didn’t like the taste of defeat. But I’ve been training hard in every area. Everyone nowadays is really tough.

“I lost my first chance at a Bellator tournament, but I’m well focused now. There are other fighters ahead, but I’m concentrating on one opponent at a time. Hopefully I’ll get the win.”

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