Bellator 91: Remember Christian M’Pumbu?
Those of you new to Bellator MMA are probably wondering who this Christian M’Pumbu guy is headlining tonight’s Bellator 91. Better yet you’re probably asking yourself when Bellator crowned a light heavyweight champion anyway. Well roughly 21 months ago Christian M’Pumbu defeated Richard Hale to become the first ever Bellator light heavyweight champion and he will finally defend that title tonight.
The light heavyweight division has sort of been the forgotten division in Bellator. The promotion had only held one tournament during their first six seasons, crowning M’Pumbu champion after winning the season four tournament. It wasn’t until last year’s summer series that Bellator would hold it’s second tournament at light heavyweight. Attila Vegh defeated Travis Wiuff at Bellator 73 to become the first challenger for M’Pumbu’s title.
since becoming champion, M’Pumbu has only fought once since and it’s one the both Bellator and himself would love to forget. Five months after being crowned champion, Bellator matched him up against the veteran Travis Wiuff in a non-title fight. The veteran made the champion look anything but that defeating M’Pumbu via unanimous decision. To this day that is the only time a Bellator champion has lost in a non-title fight.
The champion fell off the face of the earth following the embarrassing loss and hadn’t been seen or heard from until tonight. Out of action for 16 months, coming off a loss and making his first title defense, M’Pumbu has a lot to prove tonight. As Bellator has grown into the #2 MMA promotion and its champions have become household names, Christian M’Pumbu needs to remind everyone that he is the Bellator light heavyweight champion or face being forgotten.
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