Bellator 45 Picks And Predictions

We’re now only a few days away from Bellator 45. In the main event, the first-ever Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion will be crowned. The co-main event will also be an interesting match-up, as Patricio Freire takes on Daniel Straus in the finals of Bellator’s Season Four Lightweight Tournament. As is customary, here is my official “picks and predictions” post (covering who I think will win and why), now featuring Bellator 45.

Richard Hale vs. Christian M’Pumbu: Although both men seem to be growing into multi-dimensional athletes, ultimately it will be the clashing of their styles and how they react to it that decides the winner of this fight. Hale has got to take the fight to the ground early and often, and utilize the fact that M’Pumbu never cuts weight and is coming into this fight at below 200 pounds. Hale needs to use his size advantage to get the fight on the ground, and he needs to use his technical ground game to lock something in and either force the tapout or make M’Pumbu go limp.

For M’Pumbu, he’s got to stay technical despite the fact that some cynics are already saying that he’s too gun-shy. He needs at least one round fully devoted to figuring out Hale’s pacing and rhythm. Even if that costs him the round, it’ll be worth it in the end. If Hale makes even the slightest mistake, M’Pumbu will strike him square on the chin and will get either the KO or TKO.

My official prediction is as follows: Hale could always leave himself open and get KO’d, but I don’t think that’s going to happen. I think it’s far more probable that Hale will close the distance, clinch with M’Pumbu, and score takedown after takedown. Once M’Pumbu’s cardio starts to go, Hale will go for the finish. Richard Hale wins by submission in Round 3.

Patricio Freire vs. Daniel Straus: I hate to pick a winner in this fight, I really do. I’ve come to really like both Freire brothers and their dramatic performances in Season Four, but at least in my opinion, Daniel Straus is one of Season Four’s biggest breakout stars, perhaps even the biggest. And let’s not forget, Michael Chandler recently proved that a Freire can be beaten. Chandler had help from three illegal groin strikes, but his actual gameplan was near-flawless and tailor-made to take out a fighter like Freire. I think Straus will apply that same gameplan of not being afraid to engage but still scoring takedowns frequently. Straus won’t catch Freire with anything, Freire is too good of a striker and he’s got a Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu black belt, but Daniel Straus will win by Unanimous Decision.

Karl Amoussou vs. Sam Alvey: Sam Alvey is a very interesting test for Karl Amoussou: he’s 14-2 with ten finishes and eight (T)KO’s. He’s also on a three-fight win-streak and has won ten of his last twelve fights, with one no contest. When a veteran is put up against a journeyman in Bellator, the veteran seems to keep winning. But when it’s a veteran against a hot prospect, there’s an ongoing trend that the prospect pulls off the upset. I think that’s exactly what’s going to happen: Sam Alvey wins by Unanimous Decision.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. But what about you? Who do you see winning, and why, at Bellator 45?