4. Rafael Carvalho vs. Gegard Mousasi
Bellator 200
May 25 | London
No one ever talks about Carvalho, perhaps the most underappreciated champion in major mixed martial arts today. The 31-year-old Brazilian has won 15 fights in a row, 12 of them finishes, and ascended to Bellator’s middleweight throne in October 2015. Carvalho has since made three successful title defenses, beating Melvin Manhoef twice before putting away Ultimate Fighting Championship veteran Alessio Sakara in just 44 seconds at Bellator 190 on Dec. 9. His degree of difficulty increases exponentially here. Mousasi has already won titles in the Strikeforce, Dream and Cage Warriors Fighting Championship promotions and enters his showdown with Carvalho on the strength of a six-fight winning streak. Victories over Hector Lombard, Ronaldo Souza, Dan Henderson, Mark Hunt, Vitor Belfort and Chris Weidman buoy his resume.
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