Slovak fighter Vegh won 50-45 49-45 48-47 as French-Congolese M’Pumbu made his first title defence 16 months after he won it.
Vegh dropped M’Pumbu with a right hand in the opening minutes of the first round. M’Pumbu did well to recover, but could not gain a foothold in the fight as Vegh remained the aggressor on his feet.
When the fight went to the canvas is was due to Vegh's attacks rather than the takedown attempts of M’Pumbu, with the former pounding his rival as he fended off submission attempts.
M’Pumbu tried to step up his pace and aggressiveness in round five, but it was too little, too late.
Other bouts
Saad Awad vs. Will Brooks
Saad Awad may not have been the favourite over Will Brooks, but he was the clear winner.
As the two came together in the centre of the cage, Brooks trying to clinch, Awad used a series of short uppercuts and an overhand right to stagger Brooks in the opening minute.
He continued firing away. Brooks dropped to try for a takedown, but Awad kept hammering away to the side of his head. Brooks regained his feet momentarily, but Awad sent him reeling back down to the canvas and finished with a couple heavy hands before the referee stopped the fight.
Awad was extremely emotional following the victory that put him in the lightweight tournament final, barely able to get any words out, other than thanking his family and camp.
David Rickels vs. Jason Fischer
David Rickels earned his pass to the lightweight finals to face Awad by dominating Jason Fischer.
From bell-to-bell, Rickels was the aggressor, using his size and power to bully Fischer around the cage.
Rickels battered Fischer on the feet with his power, continually pressing forward and mixing a variety of strikes into his attack. When he wasn’t striking, Rickels scored with takedowns, using a combination of brutal ground and pound and submission attempts to constantly keep Fischer on the defensive.
He could not put Fischer away, however, taking it to the judges, who awarded Rickels a unanimous decision victory.
Full results
Bellator Light Heavyweight Championship
Attila Vegh def. Christian M'Pumbu by Unanimous Decision (48-47, 49-46, 50-45)
Lightweight Tournament Semi-finals
Saad Awad def. Will Brooks by KO (Punches) at 0:43, R1
David Rickels def. Jason Fischer by Unanimous Decision (29-28, 30-27, 30-27)
Preliminary Bouts
Holly Holm def. Katie Merrill by TKO (Strikes) at 3:02, R2
Blas Avena def. Lenny Lovato Jr. by TKO (Strikes) at 1:40, R1
Andres Quintana def. Russell Wilson by TKO (Strikes) at 0:32, R3
Ed West def. Josh Montoya by KO (Head Kick) at 2:51, R2
Adrian Cruz def. Nick Gonzalez by Submission (Scarf Hold Armlock) at 3:00, R2
Josh Appelt def. Josh Lanier by TKO (Strikes) at 0:16, R2
Brennan Ward def. Yair Moguel by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 0:57, R1
