MMA Gospel

Christian M'Pumbu (black shorts) will test his fast paced ground game and high powered striking against Tim Carpenter tonight at Bellator 42. (Photo courtesy of Keith Mills and Sherdog)

Tonight’s Bellator 42 main event originally was intended to be a non-title superfight between Bellator Heavyweight Champion “The Polar Bear” Cole Konrad (7-0) and Strikeforce and UFC Strikeforce veteran KO artist “The Headhunter” Paul Buentello (28-13), but Buentello had to withdraw from the fight due to a back injury. Then Konrad bowed out of the event as well, deciding to wait for Buentello to heal and meet at a later event rather than face a late replacement. However, Concho Oklahoma will still be in for an exciting night of fights with a solid featherweight showing and both Season 4 Light Heavyweight Tournament semi-finals on the card. French import Christian M’Pumbu (2-1) goes to battle against undefeated Tim Carpenter (7-0) and heavy handed DJ Linderman (9-1) goes against the second man to gain instant Bellator super-stardom due to an Inverted Triangle Choke, Richard Hale (11-3). In the night’s remaining main card affair, the Bellator debut of Sengoku veteran and former Shark Fights and Cage Rage Featherweight Champion Ronnie Mann (18-2) lands him across the cage from a man who has submitted four of his last five opponents, Josh Arocho (13-9), with the winner most likely gaining a spot in the Season 5 Featherweight Tournament brackets. As always, MMA Gospel is here with the inside look. Continue reading »