· Two Tournament Finals Bouts Top Bellator 45
Both the featherweight and light heavyweight tournaments come to a close at Bellator 45, as the promotion returns to Lake Charles, La. and the L'Auberge du Lac Casino Resort on May 21, Bellator’s sixth visit to the state. The event is set to broadcast live on MTV2.
In the featherweight finale, Patricio "Pitbull" Freire (16-1) brings two tournament knockout wins into his bout with Daniel Straus. Straus (16-3) posted one unanimous decision victory and one submission finish for his efforts. A $100,000 check and the opportunity to challenge the undefeated champion, Joe Warren, awaits the winner.
Fighting to become the first-ever Bellator light heavyweight champion, Rich “Rare Breed” Hale (17-3-1) meets the hard-hitting Christian “Tonton” M’Pumbu (17-3-1). M'Pumbu’s tournament bouts both ended via technical knockout, while Hale secured one submission and one decision win in his run. The belt and the $100,000 will be awarded to the newly-crowned champ.
"L'Auberge du Lac is a spectacular casino resort with a world-class, exciting venue that was a fantastic host to a sold-out Bellator event last year,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney exclaimed. “The fans on the Gulf Coast are unbelievable, and with two championship fights on May 21, they’re in for a great show.”
Also on the card, Brazilian heavyweight Thiago “Big Monster” Santos (8-1) faces the Houston-based Derek Lewis (4-1), and Karl “Psycho” Amoussou (12-3-2) battles “Smilin” Sam Alvey (14-2, 1 NC) for a spot in the upcoming middleweight tournament.
College football national champion, former LSU Tiger fullback Shawn Jordan (9-2) looks to continue his successful MMA career against an opponent yet to be determined.
