THACKERVILLE, Okla. – Newly minted Bellator champion Rafael Lovato Jr. got to bring his new belt home Friday and see his championship banner for the first time.
Lovato was born in Ohio, but moved to Oklahoma when he was 8. He’s been based there ever since, and the 36-year-old Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt has his own academy in Oklahoma City.
In June, Lovato (10-0 MMA, 6-0 BMMA) stayed unbeaten and won his first MMA title with a major upset of middleweight champion Gegard Mousasi (45-7-2 MMA, 3-1 BMMA) at Bellator 223 in London. Mousasi was more than a 5-1 favorite in the fight, but Lovato outworked him to win a majority decision.
During the Bellator 224 main card at WinStar World Casino in Thackerville, Okla., Lovato was introduced to his home fans and walked out so he could watch his Bellator championship banner get unfurled for the first time.
Check out the banner unveiling in the video above.
And for complete coverage of Bellator 224, check out the MMA Results.
