WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis 16 December 2010 Jobing.com Arena, Glendale, AZ Versus/The Score (9:00PM EST) 155lbs. Ben Henderson (c) vs. Anthony Pettis 135lbs. Dominick Cruz (c) vs. Scott Jorgensen 155lbs. Donald Cerrone vs. Chris Horodecki 155lbs. Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus 155lbs. Jamie Varner vs. Shane Roller 155lbs. Zhang Tie Quan vs. Danny Downes 135lbs. Brad Pickett vs. Ivan Menjivar 155lbs. Danny Castillo vs. Will Kerr 135lbs. Chris Carisao vs. Renan Barao 155lbs. Ricardo Lamas vs. Yuri Alcantara 135lbs. Eddie Wineland vs. Ken Stone
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) The winner of Henderson/Pettis will go on to face the winner of Edgar/Maynard, likely in the springtime. The Pride of El Salvador, Ivan Menjivar, is making his return to MMA on this card--and finally fighting at the right weight class.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) The end of the WEC, what a fantastic way to end the most interesting fight promotion I have ever seen. They just don't bring it like guys in the WEC did, and it wasn't just the light weights. When welterweight, and middleweight was there, heck even light heavyweight the guys in the WEC always came to fight and put on a show. Whether it was Brian Stann and Steve Cantwell at 205, or Garcia vs Sung Jung, or Hominick vs Jabouin at 145, guys came to put it all on the line. I'm gonna miss that promotion so much, and I hope the guys coming to the UFC, continue the excitement in the UFC. As I said for this card though, what a way to end it, Henderson vs Pettis should be a fantastic matchup. For Henderson to be successful he is going to have to get this to the ground, I think Pettis stand up, and in particular his head kicks are just way too dangerous to be fooling around with. Right now I'm leaning towards the champ retaining, by way of a 3rd round submission victory. Cruz vs Jorgensen for the Bantamweight championship is a fight that could provide some fireworks. Cruz, similar to how he beats everyone is going to use his speed, footwork, and angles to move in and out, throw combinations and get back out of range. With the exception of probably Faber, Jorgensen has as much power as anyone else at 135, and if he connects with a good shot it could be a fight changer no doubt. I'm once again gonna take the champ here, I think his footwork and attack will keep the fight from hitting the ground, and he can avoid taking too much damage. I will finish jibber jabbering on them a little later, but I really wanted to talk on the main events right now. They both look great. I also love how the UFC plans to make the Lightweight WEC transition, with the Champion vs Champion match. I think it was a fantastic idea.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) We're a couple of days out still but there are problems looming with this card. Bad weather across NA has caused three fighters to miss their flights so far. Hopefully everyone gets to Glendale and the fights all go as planned. The WEC must go out with a bang.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) Main card (Televised): Ben Henderson (155) vs. Anthony Pettis (154.5) Dominick Cruz (134.5) vs. Scott Jorgensen (135) Donald Cerrone (155) vs. Chris Horodecki (155) Bart Palaszewski (156) vs. Kamal Shalorus (156) Danny Downes (154.5) vs. Tiequan Zhang (155.5) Under card (May not be broadcast): Jamie Varner (156) vs. Shane Roller (155) Ivan Menjivar (135) vs. Brad Pickett (136) Ken Stone (135) vs. Eddie Wineland (136) Yuri Alcantara (154.5) vs. Ricardo Lamas (156) Danny Castillo (155.5) vs. Will Kerr (155) Renan Barao (136) vs. Chris Cariaso (136)
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) I think that any of the losers from the 155 fights or even winners that isn't a big name and can't win impressively might not make it to the UFC. Unless Dana has come out and said everyone gets a shot, i dunno.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) [TONIGHT!!] The LAST WEC event is on tonight! I kind of feel like this one hasn't gotten the attention it deserves because of the GSP/Kos fight last weekend. This is your last chance to enjoy the top-notch promotion that WEC has become before it gets amalgamated into the UFC.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) [TONIGHT!!] Anthony Pettis with some crazy matrix jedi shit in the 5th round... blew my mind.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) [TONIGHT!!] I'm still buzzing. Probably be a few hours before I can sleep, now.
Re: WEC 53: Henderson vs. Pettis (Dec. 16th) [TONIGHT!!] Results Renan Bareo d. Chris Cariaso, submission- rear naked choke, R1/3.47 Yuri Alcantara d. Ricardo Lamas, knockout- punches, R1/3.26 Danny Castillo d. Will Kerr, knockout- punches, R1/1.25 Eddie Wineland d. Ken Stone, knockout- slam, R1/2.11 Brad Pickett d. Ivan Menjivar, unanimous decision Shane Roller d. Jamie Varner, submission- rear naked choke, R1/3.55 Danny Downes d. Tiequan Zhang, unanimous decision Kamal Shalrous d. Bart Palaszewski, split decision Donald Cerrone d. Chris Horodecki, submission- triangle choke, R2/2.43 Dominick Cruz (c) d. Scott Jorgensen, unanimous decision Anthony Pettis d. Ben Henderson (c), unanimous decision
Supposedly the under card was thrilling as well. As you can see there were plenty of knockouts and submissions on the night. I wondered why the AZ crowd was booing during the Shalrous/Palaszewski fight--it must've been because they had seen so much action up until that point. Jamie Varner lost again? Damn. Must not want to be in the UFC much. Either that or losing his training partners has crushed him mentally. Donald Cerrone calling out Cole Miller was cool. Looking forward to that fight. Then again, Cerrone vs. anyone is worthwhile. Dominick Cruz is a point fighter but he is more exciting than some other guys because he seems to put everything into it. Jorgensen was too small. The UFC can't add a flyweight division fast enough. Shalrous hits like a fuckin' truck. Every punch and kick he threw in the first round and a half was thundering. Too bad he is a bit wild and didn't really damage Bartimus that much. Pettis vs. Henderson was one of the best MMA fights ever. Truly showcased what the WEC was all about. Thrilling conclusion to their events. So sad they are gone.
Paltry $10,000 bonuses went to Henderson, Pettis, Wineland and Roller. I get the impression Zuffa will be throwing some bonuses around in the locker room as well.
Horodecki and Varner have both been released. Horodecki was a good prospect coming out of the IFL but could never really get going in the WEC. He will probably go back to regional Canadian shows to get some wins and try to come back to the UFC or Strikeforce. Still young. Former champ Varner has flamed out due to various issues including the collapse of his Arizona fight team and some personal troubles. He has the requisite skills to be in the UFC but apparently not the mental fortitude. I'm not sure where he will go from here.
