Rich Hale

Richard "Rich" Hale (born May 17, 1985) is an American mixed martial artist currently competing in the Heavyweight division. A professional since 2006, he is perhaps best known for his 10-fight stint with Bellator MMA, and made it to the finals of the promotions Season Seven Heavyweight and Season Four Light Heavyweight tournaments.

Mixed martial arts career Hale made his professional debut in December 2006.

Rage in the Cage Hale started his career fighting for the promotion Rage in the Cage. He has a record of 13 wins and 2 losses in his career under the promotion. He won the Rage in the Cage Heavyweight and Light Heavyweight Championships.

Bellator In February 2011, Bellator announced that Hale would be a part of the Bellator Season Four Light Heavyweight Tournament and that he would National Champion wrestler Nik Fekete in the quarterfinals.

Hale made his Bellator debut on March 26, 2011 at Bellator 38 where he defeated Nik Fekete via technical submission (inverted triangle choke) to move on to the Light Heavyweight Tournament Quarterfinals.

At Bellator 42, Hale competed in the semi-finals of the Season Four Light Heavyweight Tournament against D.J. Linderman. Hale won by a narrow split decision to move on to the Light Heavyweight Tournament Finals where he fought Christian M'Pumbu at Bellator 45. He lost via TKO in the third round.

In late 2012, Hale moved up in weight as he joined the Heavyweight Tournament in Bellator's Season Seven. He faced Mike Wessel in the opening quarter-finals at Bellator 75 on October 5, 2012. He won the fight via vicious TKO, stopping his opponent via strikes at just 1:19 into the first round. In the semifinals, he faced Thiago Santos. After being rocked in the first minute of the fight, Hale regained his composure and won the fight via TKO in the first round.

Hale faced Russian Alexander Volkov in the final, with the winner awarded the Bellator Heavyweight Championship. The fight took place at Bellator 84 on December 14, 2012, with Volkov winning by unanimous decision after five rounds.

Hale fought Ryan Martinez at Bellator 96. He was knocked out in the first round by ground and pound from Martinez.

In March 2014, Hale returned to the heavyweight division. He faced Blagoi Ivanov in the opening round of the Bellator Season Ten Heavyweight Tournament at Bellator 111 on March 7, 2014. He lost the fight via unanimous decision.

Accomplishments Bellator MMA Bellator Season Four Light Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up Bellator Season Seven Heavyweight Tournament Runner-Up Rage in the Cage RITC Heavyweight Championship (One time) RITC Light Heavyweight Championship (One time)

Mixed martial arts record Win

Eric Lunsford TKO (strikes) Road to ONE: RUF 39

Glendale, Arizona, United States Win

Dale Sopi Decision (unanimous) RUF MMA 36

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Loss

Blagoi Ivanov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 111

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Ryan Martinez KO (punches) Bellator 96

Thackerville, Oklahoma, United States Loss

Alexander Volkov Decision (unanimous) Bellator 84

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Thiago dos Santos TKO (punches) Bellator 79

Rama, Ontario, Canada Win

Mike Wessel TKO (punches) Bellator 75

Hammond, Indiana, United States Win

Josh Burns TKO (punches) Bellator 69

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Return to Heavyweight. Win

Carlos Flores KO (punch) Bellator 55

Yuma, Arizona, United States Catchweight (211 lbs) bout. Loss

Christian M'Pumbu TKO (punches) Bellator 45

Lake Charles, Louisiana, United States Win

D.J. Linderman Decision (split) Bellator 42

Concho, Oklahoma, United States Win

Nik Fekete Technical Submission (inverted triangle choke) Bellator 38

Tunica, Mississippi, United States Win

Dave Mewborn TKO (punches) Top Combat Championship 3: No Where to Hide

San Juan, Puerto Rico Light Heavyweight debut. Win

Mike Zanski Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 140

Chandler, Arizona, United States Loss

Antwain Britt Decision (majority) Vendetta Fighting Championship: A Night of Vengeance

Oranjestad, Aruba Win

Evan Nedd Decision (majority) Vendetta Fighting Championship: A Night of Vengeance

Oranjestad, Aruba Win

Adam Padilla TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 130

Chandler, Arizona, United States Draw

Jordan Smith Draw Throwdown Showdown 4: Cuatro

West Valley City, Utah, United States Win

Rich Beecroft TKO (punches) Rage in the Cage 125

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Shawn Frye Submission (rear-naked choke) Rage in the Cage 123

Chandler, Arizona, United States Win

Matt Lucas Submission (kimura) Rage in the Cage 121

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Lyle Steffens KO Rage in the Cage 119

Tucson, Arizona, United States Win

Roger Mejia TKO Rage in the Cage 117

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Adam Padilla Submission (rear naked choke) Rage in the Cage 116

Prescott, Arizona, United States Win

Jeremiah Martinez KO (punch) Rage in the Cage 113

Albuquerque, New Mexico, United States Loss

Matt Lucas Decision (unanimous) RITC 100: The Centennial

Fountain Hills, Arizona, United States Win

Rich Beecroft Submission (rear-naked choke) Rage in the Cage 97

Arizona, United States Win

Steve Sayegh Submission (guillotine choke) Rage in the Cage 94

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Rich Alten Submission (rear-naked choke) Rage in the Cage 93

Arizona, United States Loss

Jimmy Ambriz KO (punches) Rage in the Cage 91

Phoenix, Arizona, United States Win

Wendell Lowe Decision (unanimous) RITC 89: Triple Main Event

Maricopa County, Arizona, United States