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MMA Rankings > Bellator Light Heavyweight Rankings

Bellator Light Heavyweight Division Rankings

Ranking of Bellator's Light Heavyweight division - January 2012

 

Possibly the most difficult division to rank within the Bellator MMA promotion is their Light Heavyweight Division. The most inactive division of all, the lone Light Heavyweight Tournament came in Season 4 during the Spring of 2011. While it was rumored that the 205 pounders would return this Spring, it does not appear that will be the case. To add to the complexity of ranking these fighters the Bellator Light Heavyweight Champion, Christian M'Pumbu, became the lone Bellator Champ to lose in a non-title fight for the promotion when he dropped a unanimous decision to Travis Wiuff at Bellator 55. On top of M'Pumbu's unimpressive showing these rankings become even more difficult as Bellator has signed several young 205 lb fighters who have since been unable to take advantage of their opportunities leaving the expected plans for a Season 6 Light Heavyweight Tournament on hold.

Given the tournament format of Bellator leaving little debate in terms of rankings, it is still important to look at the big picture of recent activity from each fighter as well as their historic results.

And now the ranking of the best of othe Bellator Light Heavyweight Division...



Top Bellator Light Heavyweight Fighter Rankings:

 

1. Christian M'Pumbu – (18-4-1, 3-1 BFC) – The promotion's Light Heavyweight Champion, M'Pumbu takes the #1 spot by default, literally backing his way into the top spot based on a thin pool of talent (in comparison to their other divisions) around him after dropping a unanimous decision to Travis Wiuff at Bellator 55 in a non-title fight.

2. Richard Hale - (18-4-1, 3-1 BFC) – Bellator Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament runner up Richard Hale is a 5 year veteran of the pro ranks of MMA who has just 2 losses in his last 17 fights. The former Rage in the Cage Light Heavyweight and Heavyweight Champion lost the Bellator Light Heavyweight final to Christian M'Pumbu by 3rd round TKO. Hale bounced back with a KO win at Bellator 55 in what is expected to have been a Light Heavyweight Tournament qualifier so expect to see him return in Bellator's next 205 lb Tournament.

3. DJ Linderman – (11-2, 3-1 BFC) – DJ "Da Protege" Linderman, a semifinalist in the Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament, defeated Raphael Davis at Bellator 38 then dropped a split decision to Richard Hale to end his run at the $100k check. After finding success fighting for a variety of regional promotions, Linderman seems to be another fighters set for Bellator's next 205 pound Tournament.

4. Tim Carpenter – (8-1, 3-1 BFC) – After a 5-0 start to his pro MMA career, Tim Carpenter signed with Bellator winning two split decisions before a TKO loss to Christian M'Pumbu in the semifinals of the Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament. His win at Bellator 54 likely puts Carpenter in the mix for the next Bellator 205 pound Tournament.

5. Attila Vegh – (24-4-2, 0-0 BFC) - Attila Vegh is a new signee of the Bellator promotion who has yet to set foot inside their cage. Unlike the majority of their 205 lb roster, Vegh is a veteran of 30 fights; all in the past four years. Vegh started his pro MMA career with 9 straight wins and stays active having fought 20 times in 2009 & 2010 combined.

 

 

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Honorable Mention: Raphael Davis, Roger Hollett

 

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Published December 2011

 

Complete Bellator Rankings: