WEC 39 Preview

WEC 39 will be taking place this Sunday in Corpus Christi, Texas. All fighters have made weight and are ready to go. Here is the line-up of fights:

Mike Thomas Brown vs. Leonard Garcia- This fight is for the 145 pound FW title. Mike Brown won the belt with a knockout of Urijah Faber. Brown (20-4) is riding an 8 fight win streak including fights against Jeff Curran, Yves Edwards and Manny Reyes Jr. Brown usually has a size and strength advantage over most 145 pounders.

(Mike Thomas Brown pictured)

Leonard Garcia (12-3) won his two WEC fights, with knock-out victories of Hiroyuki Takaya and Jens Pulver. Garcia went 1-2 in his 155 pound UFC career, with his two losses decisions to Roger Huerta and Cole Miller. The heavy handed Garcia is better suited at the 145 pound division. Look for him to stand and trade.


(Leonard Garcia pictured)

Ricardo Lamas vs. Bart Palaszewski- Bart Palaszewski (30-11) was victorious in his WEC debut winning via TKO over UFC veteran Alex Karelexis. He is an IFL veteran with victories over John Gunderson, Ivan Menjivar and Ryan Schultz. Ricardo Lamas (5-0) was a late replacement for Richard Crunkliton. His biggest victory was a decision win over James Birdsley (32-6).

(Bart Palaszewski throwing a punch on John Strawn in the IFL)

Marcus Hicks vs. Rob McCullough- Former LW champ Razor Rob takes on former #1 contender Marcus Hicks. McCullough (16-5, 7-3 WEC) is primarily a stand-up fighter who does his best when countering his opponent. Marcus Hicks (8-1) had three straight wins in the WEC before losing a title fight to Jamie Varner. Hicks has a mean guillotine choke and nickname that suits him, The Human Wrecking Ball.

Jose Aldo vs. Chris Mickle- Aldo has looked lightening fast in the striking department in his 3 straight WEC wins. Aldo has 8 T/KO's, and crushed Rolando Perez in his last fight. Chris Mickle (26-11) last won in the MCC beating then title holder T.J. O'Brien. Mickle fights out of Des Moines, Iowa.

UNDER CARD

Phil Cardella vs. Danny Castillo
Marcos Galvao vs. Damacio Page
Johny Hendricks vs. Alex Serdyukov
Kenji Osawa vs. Rafael Rebello
Alex Karalexis vs. Greg McIntyre
Mike Budnik vs. John Franchi
Justin Haskins vs. Mike Pierce

WEC 35 Preview

This Sunday, three belts will be on the line at WEC 35. The announced match-ups include some great fights. I would like to see the Brock Larson v. Carlo Prater match-up make the live broadcast.


WW Champ Carlos Condit vs. Hiromitsu Miura- Condit has been on a 7 fight win streak, including 4 in the WEC and 3 in Pancrase. In the WEC, Condit has defeated Kyle Jensen, Brock Larson, Carlo Prater and John Alessio. Miura has two straight wins in the WEC after a loss in the 185 division to Jason "Mayhem" Miller.

LHW Champ Brian Stann vs. Steve Cantwell- I would have liked the WEC to bring in a "new" opponent for Brian Stann as he has already TKO'd Cantwell in the first round. I'd like to see Stann tested on the ground at some point. Cantwell does have two straight wins in the WEC.

LW Champ Jamie Varner vs. Marcus Hicks- I would expect this fight to be the best fight on the card. Hicks is undefeated at 10-0, and really does look like a wrecking ball. Varner is coming off a great performance against Razor Rob to win the LW belt. He is an excellent wrestler and striker, with two straight wins in the WEC and one in the UFC. Hicks has some excellent submissions, but Varner will probably have the reach advantage and try to keep the fight standing.

Brian Bowles vs. Damacio Page- Anyone who enjoys the Tapout show will probably be rooting for Damacio Page. Page has two straight wins in two years since his 2006 loss to MMA legend Genki Sudo. Bowles at 6-0 has won all his fights by submission or KO.

Josh Grispi vs. Micah Miller- Submission specialist Micah Miller has won two straight since his decision loss to Cub Swanson. Grispi is on an 8 fight win streak with one win in the WEC.

Undercard
Brock Larson vs. Carlo Prater
Blas Avena vs. Dave Terrel- This is NOT the one that fought in the UFC.
Todd Moore VS. Shane Roller
Mike Budnik vs. Greg McIntyre
Scott Jorgensen vs. Kenji Osawa

WEC 33 Results

Review by the MMA Blaster

Brian Stann def. Doug Marshall via TKO (strikes)- R1, 1:35 - The slugfest occured as predicted as Stann and Marshall traded flurries of punches. After a Thai clinch, Stann was able to drop "the Rhino" with a vicious left hand. The Marine Stann is now the new LHW champ of the WEC.


Chael Sonnen def. Bryan Baker via unanimous decision- Sonnen dominated all three rounds and won the decision.

Marcus Hicks vs. Ed Ratcliff via sub (guillotine choke)- R1, 1:42 - As predicted this was a short and entertaining fight. After eating punches, Ratcliff defended guillotine attempts before eventually sucombing. Hicks' nickname is well deserved, he is a "wrecking ball."

Steve Cantwell def. Tim McKenzie via sub (rear-naked choke)- R1, 2:13- Cantwell overwelmed McKenzie with big kicks and punches for the eventual forearm rear naked choke.

Hiromitsu Miura def. Blas Avena via KO (punches)- R1, 2:35
Brock Larson def. John Alessio via DQ (illegal knee)- R1, 1:50
Richard Crunkilton def. Sergio Gomez via unanimous decision
Alex Serdyukov def. Ryan Stonitsch via sub (triangle choke)-R1, 1:35
Chris Manuel vs. Kenji Osawa via split draw
Logan Clark def. Scott Harper via TKO (strikes)- R1, 4:37