For Rafael Lovato Jr., his upcoming title shot at the Bellator middleweight championship was one part successful visualization meeting one part arising opportunity.
One of jiu-jitsu’s most highly decorated players has only been a full-time MMA fighter for about two years, but he’s already managed to work his way into championship contention, as the 9-0 Lovato will challenge Gegard Mousasi at Bellator 214 in Inglewood, Calif., on Jan. 26.
“It was definitely my goal and my vision to be fighting for the belt around this time,” Lovato said on Monday’s edition of The MMA Hour with Luke Thomas.