What's Next For The Winners And Losers Of Bellator 45?

Bellator 45 was a big event to end a big fourth season. It featured Bellator newcomers, former tournament finalists, and the crowning of the very first Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion. Now once again it’s time to ask: what’s next? What does the future hold after Patricio Freire and Christian M’Pumbu took home a pair of big victories as well as a pair of $100,000 checks? Here’s my answer to just that: a new edition of my “What’s Next for the Winners and Losers” series of articles, now featuring Bellator 45.

Next for Sam Alvey: Alvey will head into Season Five’s Middleweight Tournament as an interesting but not heavily-favored fighter. Alvey showed plenty of heart and skill against Karl Amoussou, a well-respected veteran, but Alvey still won by Split Decision. Depending on who he’s put against in the opening round, I can see Alvey making it to the semifinals. He’ll have a lot of work ahead of him if he wants to beat favorites Bryan Banker and Alexander Shlemenko, though.

Next for Daniel Straus: If anyone gets injured, Straus could compete in Bellator’s upcoming “Summer Series” Featherweight tournament. There’s not a doubt in my mind that Straus would jump at the chance to quickly get back into action, even if it means several more grueling weeks of tournament competition. If not that, Straus will be right back in Bellator no matter what, and he’ll be in a tournament qualifier bout soon. Bellator discovered a diamond in the rough with Daniel Straus, even though he stumbled against Patricio Freire. They know what they have, and Straus isn’t going anywhere.

Next for Patricio Freire: A big, big rematch with Joe Warren. I haven’t seen their first fight, but from some highlights I gathered it seems that Freire hurt Joe Warren very badly early on, and Warren was able to turn the tides and win the fight. To beat Warren, Freire is going to have to finish what he started: he needs to knock Warren out. Warren’s wrestling is just too good, and his dominance is unquestioned at Featherweight.

Next for Richard Hale: Much like Daniel Straus, the man who gave Bellator its second Inverted Triangle will be back, and probably very soon. Hale may take a fight or two in other regional promotions, but I think Bellator will be his home for the foreseeable future. He’ll have to wait until another Light Heavyweight Tournament rolls around to get his shot at revenge against M’Pumbu, but until then we’ll see him fight in non-tournament fights against some pretty legitimate competition.

Next for Christian M’Pumbu: Like all other Bellator champions, M’Pumbu is effectively shelved until the next tournament rolls along. However, Bellator will keep him active a few times a year by putting him into non-title “super fights”, which is also something they do with all their other champions. The question must be asked, though: is anyone out there at Light Heavyweight a big enough name that isn’t signed to Strikeforce and the UFC? If there is, Bellator will probably find him. If not, M’Pumbu may have to make due with a sacrificial lamb or two until he has to defend his championship.

And that’s what I think, fans and friends. But what about you? What do you see happening in the near and not-so-near future of the big winners and losers of Bellator 45?