MMA HQ - Mixed Martial Arts News and Analysis

WEC 30 proved to be an excellent night of fights with both title holders retaining their belts at the end of the evening.

“Razor” Rob McCullough made easy work of challenger Rich Crunkilton in the first round. Both guys were throwing heavy punches from the opening bell as McCullough staggered Crunkilton and then Crunkilton returned his own assult against McCullough. After that, Razor Rob brought his lethal combination of punches and knocked Crunkilton too the mat three or four times before referee Herb Dean finally called a stop to the fight 1:30 seconds into the first round.

WEC Bantamweight champion Chase Beebe proved that he has both the ground skills and standup skills needed to stay champ as he won a unanimous decision victory over challenger Rani Yahya. Abu Dhabi champ Yahya must have tried to sink in half-a-dozen submissions in the first round including a deeply locked in kneebar, but each time Beebe proved he was up to the challenge and was able to escape all submission attempts. After weathering the first round submission barrage, Beebe began to control the fight in the second round and even came close to securing a guillotine choke submission of his own. From then on Beebe was able to take Yahya’s back several times and control the fight on the feet and work his way to the decision victory.

In other action, Briann Stann easily punched his way to victory while John Alessio looked tentative in his rather boring victory over Marcelo Brito. The rest of the winners include Muguel Torres, Marcus Hicks, Brian Baker, Donald Cerrone, Blas Avena and Ian McCall.