Bellator Adds Rage in the Cage Champion to 205-Pound Tourney
Sherdog.com Staff Feb 23, 2011
Five participants are now confirmed for Bellator
Fighting Championships’ rapidly approaching light heavyweight
tournament, as the promotion announced Wednesday the addition of
Arizona-based prospect Richard "Rare
Breed" Hale to the eight-man bracket.
Hale joins Tim Carpenter, Chris Davis, Nik Fekete and D.J. Linderman on the roster of official competitors for the tourney, which will crown Bellator’s inaugural 205-pound champion. Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Daniel Gracie and Raphael Davis are also rumored to join the field. While not officially announced by the promotion, the 205-pound tournament quarterfinals are expected to take place March 26 at Bellator 38.
The 25-year-old Hale, 15-3-1 in his MMA campaign, has spent the bulk of his career competing for Arizona’s long-running Rage in the Cage promotion, where he has gone 13-1 and held titles at light heavyweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight. However, the 6-foot-4 Ohio native says the weight at which he will compete for Bellator suits him best.
“I absolutely feel like I’m more powerful and explosive at 205 pounds,” Hale stated in a release. “My strength and my stamina is better, and just everything all around. With the weight cut and everything, it pushes me to be a better athlete.”
Hale has lost just once in his last 13 outings -- a September 2009 majority decision defeat to Strikeforce fighter Antwain Britt -- and has finished 13 of his 15 career wins.
Hale joins Tim Carpenter, Chris Davis, Nik Fekete and D.J. Linderman on the roster of official competitors for the tourney, which will crown Bellator’s inaugural 205-pound champion. Brazilian jiu-jitsu black belt Daniel Gracie and Raphael Davis are also rumored to join the field. While not officially announced by the promotion, the 205-pound tournament quarterfinals are expected to take place March 26 at Bellator 38.
The 25-year-old Hale, 15-3-1 in his MMA campaign, has spent the bulk of his career competing for Arizona’s long-running Rage in the Cage promotion, where he has gone 13-1 and held titles at light heavyweight, heavyweight and super heavyweight. However, the 6-foot-4 Ohio native says the weight at which he will compete for Bellator suits him best.
“I absolutely feel like I’m more powerful and explosive at 205 pounds,” Hale stated in a release. “My strength and my stamina is better, and just everything all around. With the weight cut and everything, it pushes me to be a better athlete.”
Hale has lost just once in his last 13 outings -- a September 2009 majority decision defeat to Strikeforce fighter Antwain Britt -- and has finished 13 of his 15 career wins.
Related Articles
