After a full three month layoff, World Extreme Cagefighting is putting on another show this Wednesday night in Las Vegas and this fight card is worth the weight. Three WEC title belts will be on the line as the Featherweight, Middleweight, and Light Heavyweight titles all go up for grabs. The WEC returns with what should be an excellent night of fights, and all without that $40 PPV cost.
Main Card
Urijah Faber vs Jeff Curran - Those who have followed MMA for a long time will know who Jeff Curran is; those who are new to the sport or “UFC fans” may not have every heard of him. Curran has been around the block and had over 40 professional fights matching up with some of the best including current UFC welterweight champion Matt Serra, Norifumi “Kid” Yamamoto, Ivan Menjivar, and Charles “Krazy Horse” Bennett (and no, I don’t think Bennett is “one of the best”, I just included him because is he a well-known name). Curran is a submission specialist and has the savvy and cage-experience needed to take on any opponent.
When it comes to Urijah Faber, it seems MMA fans either feel he’s overrated or they think “The Hollywood Kid” is one of the best pound-for-pound fighters around. Personally, I “believe the hype” so to speak and feel that Urijah is the best 145-lber in the game today. Yes I feel Faber would stand an excellent shot at beating Kid Yamamoto should that fight ever take place. Sure Urijah may not have fought that tough of competition recently, but his 19-1 record speaks for itself, with the lone blemish coming in a hard-fought battle against the UFC’s Tyson Griffin. Urijah is a dynamic fighter with excellent quickness and hand-speed in the standup game and very good wrestling and submission defense. I’m greatly looking forward to this main event and fully expect Faber to be victorious in the end. Winner: Urijah Faber
Cub Swanson vs Jens Pulver - Jens Pulver makes his WEC debut and returns to the featherweight 145 lb. weight limit after spending his most recent career at lightweight. Unfortunately for Jens, I think his big WEC debut will be spoiled by Cub Swanson. Pulver, without a doubt, holds the edge in the striking game and his extra speed at 145 will help him land his power punches more effectively. However, Jens has only fought once in the past 14 months and that fight was back in June when he lost rather easily to BJ Penn at the TUF 5 finale.
Cub Swanson may still be somewhat of an unknown to most MMA fans, but that doesn’t mean he doesn’t stand a chance with Pulver. Remember, most folks didn’t think Joe Lauzon stood a chance with Jens, and he faired quite well if I remember correctly. Swanson hasn’t fought any “big name” opponents yet, but Jens will be a nice step-up in competition and a good test of where he stands in the MMA landscape. Cub has a good submission came and decent standup game and I think will probably look to get Jens to the ground where Pulver is weakest. I just feel that Jens is past his prime and the boat has sailed on his fighting career. The WEC will provide one last nice hurrah for Pulver, but Swanson will be the one celebrating come Wednesday night. Winner: Cub Swanson
Paulo Filho vs Chael Sonnen - While Chael Sonnen is probably one of the better MMA wrestlers you will see in the game today, he simply is no match for Paulo Filho. In fact, there aren’t any middleweights today with the exception of Anderson Silva and Dan Henderson who could really give Filho a stiff challenge. If he can avoid spending all night on his back, Filho should win this fight without much effort at all. Winner: Paulo Filho
Doug Marshall vs Ariel Gandulla - Doug Marshall has spent his whole career in the WEC and now is the Light Heavyweight champion. “The Rhino” possesses some serious standup power, although his technical striking is somewhat lacking. While still technically undefeated at 3-0, Gandulla is simply a very green, inexperienced fighter. Against a free-swinging fighter like Marshall, anyone stands a “strikers chance,” but unless something crazy happens, I see Marshall winning this fight by the end of the second round. Winner: Doug Marshall
Undercard
John Allessio vs Todd Moore - Winner: John Allessio
Bryan Baker vs Eric Shambari - Winner: Eric Shambari
Alex Karalexis Ed Ratcliff - Winner: Alex Karalexis
Iam McCall vs Charlie Valencia - Winner: Charlie Valencia
Brian Bowles Vs. Marcos Galvao - Winner: Brian Bowles
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NICE PICKS DOC…I THINK JENS WILL TAKE IT
I have to go with Faber and Swanson also. Faber is a beast at 145 and it’s going to take a really good fighter to take the belt from him. Although Curran is an excellent oponent I still think Faber will controll the action en route to a decision unless he can finish him before then. Jens has a better chance but I think Cub will win this one also. Paulo needs to be in the UFC. The middleweight division needs another top competitor to give Silva something to worry about. I doubt Hendo will stay ay middleweight if he loses to Anderson so having Filho would at least leave a great matchup for him. I like Allessio also and wish he made the live card. He always has exciting fights and seems to be getting better and better. Should be a good night of fights I’m looking forward to it.
[quote comment="12402"]I like Allessio also and wish he made the live card. He always has exciting fights and seems to be getting better and better.[/quote]
Allessio should be on the main card. He is the 5th fight or “swing bout” and should make the live show.
im going for my hometown guy the rhino for sure but i think and upset is bruing here in the paulo fight im going for sonnen,othere than that i agree with u dr j
YO MAN KICK *** NIGHT OF FIGHTS YALL… I WAS RIGHT ABOUT PULVER DOC… DAMM…. I DONT AGREE WITH THE FILHO FIGHT.. HE LOOKED LIKE ****
YALL GOTTA GET THE VERSES CHANNEL
Good night of fights. Faber is an animal I don\’t think Jen\’s will make it past the second round if they do give him the chance. Jen\’s did impress me a little with the quick sub win over Cub but Faber is not Cub. Filho was in trouble pretty much the whole fight which suprised me. He doesn\’t look the same as he did in Pride. Good armbar and a good stoppage in my opinion. He had the arm deep and Sonnen had no where to go. Even if the ref let it go longer Sonnen arm would have been damaged. The suplex Valencia pulled off was awsome also. Reminded me of Dan Severn vs Masias back in the day. Marshall even got a quick submission to everyones suprise maybe he\’s becoming more well rounded. Although Ariel didn\’t seem to have much defence from the ground. Overall good card and a dominant performance from Faber.
**** *** **** …. I THINK JENS IS THE ONLY **** OUT THERE THAT CAN GIVE THAT SHITHEAD FABER ANY RUN FOR THAT BELT… I THINK JUST IS GONNA SPICE UP THE ****** FEATHERWEIGHT DIVISION HAS… *** YEA PULVER WORD
I MEANT JENS IS GUNNA SPICE IT UP OOOPS
man i missed half of the fights,but i did see the suplex that sh*it was crazy
sonnen is a beast im waiting for the rematch,does anyone want to see filho vs silva now?
I think Filho was exposed a little for his lack of standup. If Sonnen would have kept the fight standing I think he would have caught Filho eventually and been able to win. He controlled the whole fight untill he got caught. I think Anderson Silva would be able to have his way on the feet. If the fight hit the ground you never know.