LAKE CHARLES, LA. (May 21, 2011) — Bellator Fighting Championships closed out its fourth season by crowning a new title at Bellator 45 from L’Auberge Du Lac, as the heavy-handed Christian “Tonton” M’Pumbu defeated Rich “Rare Breed” Hale to become the new Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. The night also saw explosive Brazilian Patricio Pitbull take down Daniel Straus to become the Season 4 Featherweight Champion. The victory earned Pitbull a $100,000 payday, and a title shot against the self-proclaimed “Baddest Man on the Planet” and current Featherweight Champion Joe Warren. Fast-rising Sam Alvey was also victorious, and punched his ticket to the Bellator Season 5 Middleweight Tournament.
“Tonight was a great way to finish out what has been an incredible season on MTV2,” said Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney. “Christian had an amazing run to the title, and has certainly earned the right to be called a Bellator Champion. And with Pitbull getting the victory, I can’t wait to see Warren and Pitbull back in the cage for the title this summer.”
Submission specialist Christian M’Pumbu entered the cage with the aggressive Richard Hale to see who would become the first-ever Bellator Light Heavyweight World Champion. In the first round, M’Pumbu connected with a left hook dropping Hale, which looked to be the end of the fight, but Hale recovered. Both fighters went toe-to-toe in the second round, which evened out the scorecards. In Round 3, M’Pumbu found an opening against the bigger Hale and took advantage by rocking him with a huge right hand that made M’Pumbu a perfect 3-for-3 with knock out victories in his impressive Season 4 tournament run. History was made in the Bellator cage on Saturday night, as M’Pumbu became the first African-born Light Heavyweight Champion in mixed martial arts.
Wrestling standout Daniel Straus took on the human highlight reel Patricio Pitbull in an outstanding Featherweight Finale, and it was evident early both fighters had plans to win the Season 4 Tournament. The Brazilian pushed the pace throughout the fight causing Straus move backwards and play it safe. Pitbull entered the cage on mission to complete his dream and did just that by winning the bout by a unanimous decision securing a highly anticipated rematch with Bellator’s Featherweight World Champion Joe Warren this summer.
In a Season 5 Middleweight tournament qualifier, Wisconsin-based Sam Alvey and the aggressive Karl “Psycho” Amoussou clashed in a ferocious bloody battle. Amoussou looked impressive in Round 1 and executed a sharp elbow that put a huge cut on Alvey’s head. However, Alvey showed tremendous heart fighting his way back to earn the win with a unanimous decision and a ticket into Bellator’s next Middleweight Tournament.
Official Main Card Results:
Christian M’Pumbu def. Richard Hale by TKO (Unanswered Strikes: Round 3)
Patricio Pitbull def. Daniel Straus by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Sam Alvey def. Karl Amoussou by Split Decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
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