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
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