Mar 272011
 

"The Korean Zombie" Chan Sung Jung (bottom) pulled off a UFC first last night in his main card match against Leonard Garcia (top), submitting the "Bad Boy" via a modified Guillotine called a "Twister". With his victory, Jung not only successfully sought revenge for his previous loss to Garcia, but also proved himself a worthwhile adversary in the UFC's featherweight division. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The Key Arena of Seattle, Washington got its dose of mixed martial arts action when the UFC came roaring through with last night’s UFC Fight Night 24: Nogueira vs. Davis. With a heavy prelim card, the four main card bouts had tough acts to follow. The fans saw a  “Fight of the Year” rematch with an added twist when former WEC acquisitions stepped in the cage. Although the fight was in trouble with fighters dropping out due to injury, two Ultimate Fighter alumni showed they are beyond the reality television stigma in a thrilling war. The welterweight division got shaken up when two fighters seeking redemption over their past performances met with the hopes of getting back onto the road for a title shot. In the main event, the world saw a promising, young fighter take on a dangerous veteran of the game. While much can be said about the undercard, here’s a quick recap over the main card shown on Spike TV along with possible match-ups those victorious might see themselves in later in 2011. Continue reading »

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Dec 192010
 

PART ONE: Everything Leading up to…

SO… WEC is no more. I know… I know. Things change and it’s not always easy and it’s not always what you want but sometimes you just have to let it go and just remember the good times because, well, you have no choice. I’ll always remember our last night together, WEC. Even though I knew it was goodbye, I couldn’t wait to see you. Then suddenly, you were there , in my bedroom on my TV as I drank cheap wine and tweeted smart ass comments as if nothing was different and this wasn’t our last night together.

It went by so fast that it was all kind of a blur to be honest. I remember Bart Palaszewski and  Kamal Shalorus having a decent scrap and thought it was a close fight. I gave the edge to Bart for more effective striking but I wouldn’t call the W going to Kamal a robbery of the Nam Phan order. Continue reading »

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Dec 172010
 

WEC 53 marked the organization's final event and it did not disappoint. (Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

The organization that brought the world “The California Kid” Urijah Faber (24-4), “Junior” Jose Aldo (18-1), Dominick Cruz (15-1), “Angel” Miguel Torres (37-3), “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (13-1), “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1), “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4), and so many more world class fighters said its goodbyes tonight as WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis marked the final event before the WEC is absorbed into the Ultimate Fighting Championship.  The WEC was known for the action packed, go-for-broke matches that stemmed from a stacked talent pool in the lower weight divisions and WEC 53 continued in that tradition, showing that the WEC would prove to be one of the very best MMA promotions in the world right up to the very end. The UFC’s little cousin announced loudly to the MMA fans that it would not be forgotten as its final event opened with four straight first round stoppages including three KO’s – one of which came via slam. When the main card started with “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (7-1) and “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-1), the fights only got better. Continue reading »

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Dec 162010
 

(Photo courtesy of Zuffa, LLC.)

Renan Barao vs. Chris Cariaso: Barao via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 3:47

Ricardo Lamas vs. Yuri Alcantara: Alcantara via KO, Round 1. 3:26

Danny Castillo vs. Will Kerr: Castillo via KO, Round 1, 1:26

Eddie Wineland vs. Ken Stone: Wineland via KO (Slam), Round 1, 2:11

Brad Pickett vs. Ivan Menjivar: Pickett via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00

Jamie Varner vs. Shane Roller: Roller via Submission (Rear Naked Choke), Round 1, 3:55

Zhang Tie Quan vs. Daniel Downes: Downes via Unanimous Decision, Round 3, 5:00

Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus: Shalorus via Split Decision, Round 3, 5:00

Chris Horodecki vs. Donald Cerrone: Cerrone via Submission (Triangle Choke), Round 2, 2:43

Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen: Dominick Cruz via Unanimous Decision, Round 5, 5:00*

Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis: Pettis via Unanimous Decision, Round 5, 5:00**

*Dominick Cruz retains his belt as the (very last) WEC Bantamweight Champion and earns the honors of being the UFC’s very first 135lb. title holder.

**Anthony Pettis becomes the new WEC Lightweight Champion after what very well could be Fight of the Year, and included an astonishing Matrix-style head kick by Pettis. “Showtime” will face the winner of “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (13-1) and “The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-0) for the unified UFC Lightweight Championship.

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Dec 162010
 

"Showtime" Anthony Pettis is a game competitor but likely will fall victim to the same Guillotine Choke that Ben Henderson (pictured) has used twice to successfully defend his belt. (Photo courtesy of MMA Weekly)

The WEC goes out with a bang tonight at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Arizona with its final offering before merging with the UFC next month. WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis is sure to be an exciting card as the organization showcases some of the best fighters in its ranks: “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4) takes on “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (16-4), WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz (15-1) squares off with “Young Guns”  Scott Jorgensen (10-2) to not only retain his title but also become the first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion, “Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus (6-0-2) faces “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (34-14), and “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-0) meets with “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (6-1).  In what is sure to be a crowd pleaser, the main event features “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1) making his third lightweight title defense by facing dangerous top contender “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (12-1). After tonight, either Henderson or Pettis will walk away as the very last WEC Lightweight Champion and will take on the winner of the UFC 125 “The Answer” Frankie Edgar (13-1)/”The Bully” Gray Maynard (10-0) match-up for the unified lightweight title. Continue reading »

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Dec 152010
 

The reach of Dominick Cruz (right) will likely be the deciding factor in a five round stand-up war against Scott Jorgenson. (Photo courtesy of WEC.tv)

The WEC has promised to go out with a bang with WEC 53 tomorrow night. The promotion has headlined its finale event with a title fight between “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1) and “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (12-1), and has shored up the card with the likes of “Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus (6-0-2), “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (34-14), “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4), “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (16-2), “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-0), and “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (6-1). The co-main event of the evening pits WEC Bantamweight Champion Dominick Cruz (15-1) against fan favorite “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (10-2) in a bout that won’t be just for the WEC title, but also the for newly minted UFC bantamweight belt. Cruz has proven to be unstoppable at 135 with his speed, strikes from all angles, and endless gas tank, but will the grit and power of Jorgensen be enough to dethrone the champion? Continue reading »

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Dec 152010
 

Kamal Shalorus (right) should have an advantage in controlling this fight, but his disregard for the Unified Rules of MMA may well prove his undoing. (Photo courtesy of WEC.tv)

World Extreme Cagefighting presents its final card before the WEC/UFC merger on Thursday night as “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1) and “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (12-1) and Dominick Cruz (15-1) and “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (10-2) co-headline WEC 53 in two fights for the WEC’s most contested titles. Other bouts that night include “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4) taking on “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (16-2), “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-0) putting his undefeated record against “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (6-1), and a lightweight tilt between “Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus (6-0-2) and “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (34-13). “Prince of Persia” has one of the more questionable records in MMA. He is unbeaten but has two draws, including his most recent bout, caused by point deductions against him. Palaszewski is the more experienced of the two men and currently rides a four fight winning streak. Continue reading »

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Dec 142010
 

"Cowboy" Donald Cerrone (left; "Smooth" Ben Henderson is shown on the right), though known for his world class submission skills, is also a dangerous striker. He likely will soften up his WEC 53 opponent "The Polish Hammer" Chris Horodecki with head and body shots before taking him down and finishing him on the mat with one of the many submissions in his arsenal. (Photo courtesy of Dave Mandel and Sherdog)

The Arizona desert comes to life this Thursday as the WEC closes its final chapter at the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale. The promotion’s finale card, WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis, unfolds as an electric night filled with high octane match-ups that the UFC’s sister company has become well known for, including a pair of title fights – one of which will determine the very first UFC Bantamweight Champion after the companies merge next month. The main event sees “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1) defend his lightweight title belt against challenger “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (12-1) while Dominick Cruz (15-1) faces “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (10-2) in the co-main event to not only go down in history as the very last WEC Bantamweight Champion, but also as the UFC’s first. The main card also features bouts between “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (34-13) and “Prince of Persia”Kamal Shalorus (6-0-2) as well as “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-0) and “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (6-1). One of WEC 53′s offerings in particular has been hanging on the lips of MMA fans: the return of lightweight fan favorite “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4) in taking on “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (16-2). Let’s have a closer look. Continue reading »

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Dec 142010
 

Zhang Tie Quan will step into the WEC cage with an undefeated record and eight fight win streak. Tie Quan likely will use his Jiu-Jitsu and submission skills to edge out his opponent, Thai boxer "Dannyboy" Downes. (Photo courtesy of Tracy Lee and Yahoo! Sports)

On December 16, 2010, the World Extreme Cagefighting organization makes its final appearance before it is absorbed into its sister promotion, the UFC. For its last hurrah, the WEC brass has decided they should go out with a bang by presenting as stacked a card as one could want with title fights between “Smooth” Ben Henderson (11-1) and “Showtime” Anthony Pettis (12-1) and Dominick Cruz (15-1) and “Young Guns” Scott Jorgensen (10-2) and outstanding bouts featuring “Cowboy” Donald Cerrone (11-4), “The Polish Hammer” Chris Horodecki (16-2), “Bartimus” Bart Palaszewski (34-13), and “Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus (6-0-2). The first bout on the televised will feature a lightweight contest between “The Mongolian Wolf” Zhang Tie Quan (8-0) and “Danny Boy” Dan Downes (6-1). The UFC lightweight division is already a crowded place with a wealth of top ten level talent, and slots on that roster are highly coveted. Both Tie Quan and Downes want a place in the UFC lightweight division and a win is the only way to ensure they get one. Continue reading »

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Dec 112010
 

So, it started with Spilled Bag of Ice (yours truly) and then there was Spilled Bag of Fights, my weekly MMA Wrap-up column, and now: Spilled Bag of Chat! This is a new feature where I’ll be interviewing fighters and MMA personalities as I continue my attempt to take over the world – Or as it will soon be renamed: The Spilled Bag of Earth. Continue reading »

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