Richard Hale can take a heavyweight punch, but is better at giving them.
The former light heavyweight nearly was stopped by the punches of Thiago Santos before recovering to pound the Brazilian out and advance to the finals of the Season 7 heavyweight tournament.
The bout headlined Bellator 79, which took place at Casino Rama in Rama, Ontario, Canada, following a featherweight semifinal fight that saw Shahbulat Shamhalaev advance to the finals.