Rory MacDonald came to Bellator on a two-fight losing streak, but his title shot loss to Robbie Lawler is one of the greatest fights ever, and prior to it he was on a three-fight streak that included a win over current UFC champion Tyron Woodley. MacDonald fights Bellator champion Douglas Lima at Bellator 192 on January 20, in Inglewood, California. The champ is not impressed.

It’s the fight I wanted, said Lima to Fernanda Prates and Christian Stein for MMAjunkie. He’s a tough guy but no big deal. To me, he’s an opponent like any other. He’s got his strengths. He’s been in many wars. But after the first hand lands, he’ll change his plan, for sure.

He’s very sure of himself. He’s saying he’s one step ahead of everyone in the division, right? But let him be. He’s very confident, and that will change as soon as the first hand connects.

I’m healthy and injury-free. And that is a win in itself. Because I’ve been training since I beat Larkin. I was expecting to fight Rory in November. I was ready, but they scheduled it for January.

So I’m about this: I have no injuries, I’ve been training nonstop, improving on what I can. Let’s go. Let’s get this guy, let’s knock this guy out to prove to everyone that I belong in the top five.

Lima is on a three-fight win streak. The latest was in June, a unanimous decision over Lorenz Larkin, who came over from the UFC. Prior to that he avenged his last loss, vs. Andrey Koreshkov. And before that he decisioned Paul Daley. Lima may be selling himself short saying a win over MacDonald puts him in the top 5. It could be much higher.