· M’Pumbu, Freire Triumphant At Bellator 45

Bellator 45 concluded last night from the L'Auberge du Lac Casino in Lake Charles, La., wrapping up Bellator Fighting Championships’ successful fourth season. Christian "Tonton" M'Pumbu reigned supreme in the light heavyweight tournament finals, defeating Rich “Rare Breed” Hale to become the Chicago-based promotion’s inaugural light heavyweight champion. In the featherweight finals, Patricio "Pitbull" Freire picked up the unanimous decision win over a resilient Daniel Straus and earned the opportunity to face Featherweight Champion Joe Warren for the belt. Both M’Pumbu and Freire were awarded the $100,000 tournament winner’s check for their victories.

The main event did not disappoint as M’Pumbu and Hale spent little time getting started with both fighters immediately letting the leather fly. Despite Hale’s height and reach advantage it was “Tonton” who drew first blood, dropping his opponent with a left hook that looked close to ending the fight. With M’Pumbu unable to capitalize, however, Hale survived the round.

The second stanza saw little urgency from either combatant as they tentatively traded punches and kicks throughout. Hale was able to slightly edge the standup by pushing the pace and throwing a higher volume of strikes overall—evening the rounds on the scorecards.

The third frame was the deciding factor as M’Pumbu resumed the role of the aggressor timing his punches against Hale, who held his hands dangerously low. Seizing the opportunity, M’Pumbu caught his foe with a powerful right hand that leveled him. After some damaging ground-and-pound from M-Pumbu in top position, the referee stepped in to save an incapacitated Hale.

Going three for three in terms of knockouts in his run, M’Pumbu claimed the tournament crown, picked up his $100,000 payday, and became Bellator’s first light heavyweight champion—as well as the first African-born light heavyweight champion in mixed martial arts.

The featherweight finale produced a knock-down-drag-out-war from two challengers intent on capturing the win and moving on to the featherweight title shot. In the end, Freire proved the more motivated of the two, using a variety of strikes, flying knees, outstanding takedown defense and ability to get back to his feet to stifle the game plan from Straus as “Pitbull” picked up a close, but unanimous, decision victory.

Though Straus came equipped with an impressive wrestling pedigree, it was clear from the improved takedown defense and effective takedowns of his own, that Freire has his eye firmly on the prize—a rematch with Joe Warren and a chance for redemption. The lone loss on Freire’s record was delivered by Warren via split decision in the season two featherweight tournament finals.

“Tonight was a great way to finish out what has been an incredible season on MTV2,” Bellator Chairman and CEO Bjorn Rebney stated. “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.”

Opening the televised card, Karl “Psycho” Amoussou took on “Smilin” Sam Alvey in a middleweight qualifier bout for the upcoming season five tournament. Pre-fight comments thick with animosity carried over into the cage as Amoussou challenged Alvey when the latter fighter made his entry. With Amoussou blocking his way, Alvey simply broke out his trademark smile.

Following the introductions, “Psycho” brought his characteristic intensity, starting the opening round with quick and powerful strikes. Midway through Amoussou caught Alvey with an elbow from top position that opened up a gash near the back of his head and the blood began to flow. Though Alvey eventually reversed the position and was able to deliver some punches of his own, the damage was clear as the round ended with Alvey a bloody mess.

The next two rounds were extremely tight, but it appears that Alvey’s heart made an impression on the judges. With an edge in the striking, and several key reversals Alvey was able to finish the fight on top and secure the split decision on the scorecards. When the final bell rang, both Amoussou and Alvey were smiling as they had clearly earned each other’s respect.

Bellator 45 Official Results:

Main Card:

• Christian M'Pumbu def. Richard Hale via TKO (punches) - Round 3, 4:17
• Patricio Freire def. Daniel Straus via unanimous decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
• Sam Alvey def. Karl Amoussou via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Undercard:

• Shawn Jordan def. John Hill via TKO (punches) - Round 1, 1:56
• Luis Santos def. Nicolae Cury via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Tim Ruberg def. Mike Fleniken via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
• Rene Nazare def. Kelvin Hackney via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 4:46
• Joseph Abercrombie def. Ben Parpart via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 1:11