GeorgiaFighters.com recently caught up with one of Atlanta’s most promising and popular young fighters, Douglas Lima.
Lima is no stranger to the Atlanta fight fans.
He has an overall record of 10 wins and 3 losses and has fought in Atlanta as a pro seven times. He has been on a bit of a skid lately losing his last two fights, both of those losses in Georgia, but he looks to end the skid as he enters the upcoming 185 lbs Tournament at Center Stage.
GF: Whats up Doug thanks for taking the time to catch up with GeorgiaFighters.com
Lima: My pleasure thank you.
GF: You started fighting pro back in 2006 , I heard a rumour that you were still 17 for that fight. Is that true ?
Lima: Well my first 2 fights I was 17 and my mom had to sign a waiver for me to fight, and I didn’t tell my dad cuz he hated the fighting back then. Good thing I came out with the W and no bruises. It’s the fight I will always remember, even though I was the youngest in the card everybody was saying that it was the fight of the night and I was really happy with it.
GF: Your nickname is “the Phenom”. You’ve already put up a record of 10-3 so far, you held the title for the AFL just before that organisation closed its doors. We both went to the Ultimate Fighter UK vs US tryouts in Chicago together, to which you made it all the way to the final interview. You’ve fought Matt Brown from the UFC already, you had a signed contract to fight in the WEC this year only to have a personal problem get in the way of that. So my three part question to you is with all the expectations that people have put on you in the past and having been so close to making the big show a few times already 1)Are you still hungry to making it to the next step 2) Have you changed anything in the way of your training, managers, sponsors etc to take you to the next level and 3) Are you still in talks with the UFC and the WEC?
Lima: I got the nickname maybe because I was 18 at the time and my record was 8-0, I don’t ever tell that my nickname is “the Phenom” because I don’t think I am one. Maybe one day, but there’s still people that call me that and I don’t mind it at all. I fought for the AFL title but I didn’t win that fight. The fight with Matt Brown was my first loss. I was doing good but gassed like never before and got tko’d in the second round. I learned a lot from that fight, and I would love to get a shot at him again. The TUF tryouts was great but they didn’t call me. At that time I also had problems with the immigration papers, which is also the reason why I didn’t fight in the WEC. I had the contract in hands. We signed it and the fight was on,but they couldn’t let me fight. But it’s ok, now I got everything worked out with my papers and if the opportunity comes again we’ll be there.
I am definitely still hungry to get on the big shows. My training was horrible this year, my license was suspended for 6 months and I took some fights not in fight shape. But its good, learning experience. Everything is good now and I’m ready to go. No we’re not in talks with the WEC/UFC for now. Also my weight class is out of the WEC.
GF: You’ve got an exciting Grand Prix coming up in the 10k Sin City Fight Club Promotion, to which you are moving up in weight from your usual 170 lbs, to now competing at 185lbs, how are you feeling at this weight?
Lima: I’m very excited about this grand prix. It will be my first fight at 185lbs. I think is going to be great because this time I won’t have to cut much weight. i walk around at 195lbs, it’s going to be much easier to cut 10lbs than 25lbs. So I think I’ll fight with my full strength.
GF: Have you ever competed in a Grand Prix type competition before?
Lima: It’s going to be my first time. I’ve always wanted to do it and now it’s the chance.
GF: Do you know much about your first opponent?
Lima: I don’t know much about him. I watched a couple of his fights. He seems strong and a good wrestler. I’ll be ready for him!
GF: How do you feel about the possibility of fighting one of your friends if you make it to the next round ?
Lima: Well George Allen is the only one there. He is in the other bracket, so the only way we’ll meet would be in the finals. I’d hate to fight him. I know him for like 6 years now, we trained together, and he was also the referee of many of my fights.
GF: Who have you been training with to get you ready for this fight and which gym are you working at in Atlanta?
Lima: I’m at American Top Team Atlanta, Roan “Jucao” Carneiro is the coach there. I’m getting all the help I can to get ready for the fight. There is a lot of guys like the Assuncao bros, Mark Selbee, Roberto Traven, My brother Dhiego Lima, Amir and a lot more. We got a good team and we’ll be ready for whoever.
GF: For anyone wanting to sponsor you , how can they get in contact with you?
Lima: I am actually looking for sponsors. Anyone interested in helping out can email me at douglima2002@yahoo.com, or meet me at my gym ATT Atlanta, and we go from there. I would appreciate it.
GF: Doug thanks again for your time, myself and the rest of the fans are really excited to see you fight in Atlanta again and we wish you much success buddy !
Lima: No prob boss anytime! Thanks 4 everything!
God Bless
