Douglas Lima extends act of kindness to complete stranger in NYC
Former Bellator MMA welterweight champion Douglas Lima was in New York last night to witness the Bellator 222 main event and get a eye witness account of just who he will be facing next in the promotion’s million dollar prize grand prix tournament.
Lima entered the cage following Rory MacDonald’s decision win over Neiman Gracie, setting up the showdown for later this year.
It was what Lima did just hours prior to the fight that would otherwise go unnoticed if manager Brian Butler of Suckerpunch Entertainment had not captured it for the world to see. Lima, not looking for recognition, came across a woman in need, and it was what he did next that moved Butler and prompted him to post a heartfelt message about his client and friend.
“Last night myself, my son and @jucao21 witnessed the true character of @phenomlima,” Butler wrote on social media.
“While walking across to the arena I turned around to make sure everyone was together and Jucao and I noticed Douglas was 15 yards back stuck talking to someone… me being the manager, walked back to corral the fighter and keep things moving… I noticed Douglas talking to this lady who didn’t seem homeless but something was off about her, like she seemed lost? I asked Douglas what he was doing and he said, “I think she is thirsty?” I tried to ask the lady myself but I could understand her… it’s NYC after all and you see a lot of strange people… I looked at Douglas to see if I could read a signal as to what he wanted to do and he didn’t give me any… he gestured to the lady to follow him and he opened the door to the diner we were standing in front of… he told the hostess he wanted a table and gave the lady a menu.. he told the waitress we had to leave to the arena but to take her order and let him pay for it now. The lady ordered a drink and a grilled chicken salad and Douglas paid for it and made sure she had a table to eat at. True character is what you do when nobody is looking… Douglas did not know I was taking pictures and didn’t hesitate to help in what was honestly a very strange situation as myself, Jucao and Justin didn’t know what was going on until Douglas was well committed to helping this lady. It was a small gesture but at the same time a huge showing of who Douglas is. @bellatormma should be proud to have a champion like Douglas on their roster and I am only telling this story because Douglas would have never mentioned it and it was just nice to see. I’m proud as hell to have worked with Douglas so long and to be apart of this journey… he simply might be the nicest most humble fighter I have ever met. #represented”
