The WEC (World Extreme Cagefighting) is a smaller MMA company purchased by Zuffa back in 2006. It features Bantamweight (135) through Light Heavyweight (205) and usually operates out of Southern California. The WEC has recently transitioned from HDNET to Versus and they are scheduled to bring 3 of their events Live throughout the summer. Last night, June 3rd, was their first attempt at a Live TV production and it went off rather well.
This event happened to be in Las Vegas and all the UFC ref’s were officiating. Frank Mir was color commentary and second fiddle in the telecast. He did a great job providing color since he is well versed in MMA, being a fighter himself, but his monologue skills definitely need work. The production values were decent although not stellar. There was no tunnel for fighter entrances and they ended up using the ballroom doors to stage the walk-ins for the fighters. The fights were good although the match-ups were a bit lop-sided throughout the night. This really couldn’t be contributed to the matchmaker as the card was plagued with injuries causing last minute changes to occur.
Brian Stann vs. Craig Zellner
The first fight of the night shown on TV was the Marquee Light-Heavyweight Brian Stann vs. Craig Zellner. Brian Stann had been hyped all week in the media so he had a lot to live up to at the fight. Brian Stann is a first Lieutenant in the Marines and he is definitely an intimidating character. A lot of veterans seem to be drawn to MMA which is only natural being from an aggressive line of work.
Round 1 begins and Craig shoots in. Brian opens with some massive knees to the mid-section and head that stagger Zellner. Craig tries to shoot again but doesn’t change levels very well and gets clocked by an overhand right forcing him to pull guard. Brian just sits in the guard doing body-body-head and Craig seems to be holding on for dear life. Craig does utilize a high guard and goes for an armbar but Craig just stands up out of the submission attempt. Brian then throws a drag kick that cracks on Craig’s thigh and forces Craig to shoot in desparation. When Brian stuff the shoot, Craig pulls guard yet again. Craig again works his legs up to go for the armbar and Brian just stands up out of the attempt. Stann then throws some punches that land and leave Craig punch drunk. Zellner tries to pull guard in desparation and Brian jumps in with a couple dropping overhands that knocks Craig silly and forces the ref to step in.
Brian Stann wins by ref stoppage first round with five seconds left in the round.
Alex Karalexis vs. Josh Smith
Alex is a former UFC and TUF star and has dropped from welterweight to lightweight to now fight in the WEC. His opponent this evening is quite a bit taller than the shorter Karalexis but Alex has the experience edge.
Round 1 starts with Josh pawing at Alex with a left jab. Frank warns against this against a person who likes right crosses because of the openings it creates and sure enough, Alex throws a right overhand cross that just barely misses. Josh shoots in and tries to get Alex’s back but fails. Alex scrambles and reverses and throws Josh to the mat. Josh then uses the cage to get back up but Alex stays glued to his hip. Both struggle for a bit on the cage with Alex finally breaking away and throwing some hit combos. Josh throws a spinning hammerfist which Alex just barely ducks. Alex then throws an overhand right and then shoots in off the hit. Alex gets the slam and slips to half guard but Josh uses the cage and his long legs to get full guard back. Josh is throwing some nice up-kicks but Alex keeps jumping in and stuff Josh’s legs. Josh does try for an armbar or two but Alex is elusive. The round ends with Josh stuffed in a corner.
Round 2 begins with Alex throwing a nice in-step kick to Josh’s knee and then following it up with a nice liver kick that lands with a thunk. Josh fakes a kick and lands a nasty right hand that staggers Alex and causes his left eye to swell shut. Alex shoots in and gets Josh’s back but Josh avoids the take down by grabbing the fence and the referee warns him. Alex’s eye is swelling so much that his eye is totally shut but he is still bringing the action Josh with nice leg kicks and punches. Josh slips and Alex jumps into his guard. Josh gets a triangle and Alex picks up the bigger fighter and walks him to his corner and then slams him down hard deftly avoiding the triangle upon landing. Alex finally passes the guard and starts to rain down hard shots. Josh uses the cage to get guard back but Alex continues to pummel the taller fighter. Josh then uses his feet and some flexibility to try and pry Alex out of the side mount. Alex worms his way out and barely gets mount before the bell rings to signify the end of the round.
Round 3 opens with Alex throwing kicks and using an overhand to shoot in for the single leg throw. Josh reverses and tries to throw Alex with a body lock. Alex stuffs the attempt and then gets a body throw to achieve mount. Josh again uses his long legs and flexibility to pry Alex out of mount. He then goes for a foot lock but Alex pulls his leg to a safe position. Josh continues to walk up his legs whenever he has pulled guard and Alex dangerously stands up out of the maneuver and then jumps back in to the fray. Alex ends up tapping the butt of his opponent in mocking fashion and even throws an illegal foot stomp to the mid-section and loses a point before the match ends.
Alex wins by Majority decision (2 29-27 and 1 28-28)
Brock Larson vs. Kevin Knabjian (Welterweight)
This fight was so fast that if you blinked, you missed it. Brock had been training hard to fight Carlos Condit for the Welterweight title but Carlos injured his shoulder at the last minute forcing the WEC to find Kevin in short notice.
Round 1’s bell rings and Brock comes out in an orthodox stance. He immediately throws a massive left that slips over Kevin’s guard and connects squarely on his opponents chin, flipping him around, and sending Kevin to the mat. Brock immediately bull charges and performs a football shoulder tackle that knocks his opponent halfway across the ring and onto his back. He then throws some dropping overhands that stun his opponent even more and Kevin curls forward to grab at Brock’s leg in desperation. Brock finishes off the match throwing some massive hooks to Kevin’s face and the referee steps in and waves off the match.
Brock Larson wins by TKO 27 seconds in the first round
Mark Hominick vs. Rani Yahya (featherweight)
Mark is another UFC veteran that is now in the WEC ranks. This featherweight (145) is a classic striker vs. submission specialist fight and promises to be interesting.
The bell rings on the first round and Rani shoots in without any pretext. Mark widens his base and throws some shots to Rani’s head that stun his opponent but doesn’t seem to slow him down. Rani confesses at the end of the bout that he doesn’t remember anything after Mark hits him but his actions were instinctual. Rani continues to press in for the takedown haphazardly and eventually gets the single leg and slings around his opponent. He then jumps onto Mark’s back and sinks the hooks plus slips the forearm underneath the chin at the same time. He then squeezes and forces Mark to tapout or go unconscious.
Rani Yahya wins in the first round by tapout
John Alessio vs. Alex Serduykov
Alex had already lost to John Alessio via RNC in 2006 but wanted to try his luck again. John Alessio is another UFC veteran that has made his way to the WEC after hitting a streak of hard luck. John is wearing an Xtreme Couture hat and Frank has invoked the champions name a couple times. Does the current heavyweight champion have a marketing agreement with Zuffa to promote his new brand?
Round one begins and both are throwing combos in the middle of the ring but Alex is landing more often. John lands a nice left hook and tries for a head kick and a shoot off the combo. Alex takes the bait and locks up with John giving up his neck and allowing Alessio to sink a guillotine and pull guard. The guillotine is deep and forces Alex to tap or go unconscious. Alex is visibly emotional over his defeat.
John Alessio wins in one minute nineteen seconds by way of guillotine choke
Urijah Faber vs. Chance Farrar
Chance has no chance against the current champ but nobody has bothered to tell him that he is the Patsy tonight. Urijah is considered to be one of the top three lightweights of the world and a force to be reckoned plus he is the poster boy for the fledgling MMA organization and with good reason. He has mad skills and a work ethic second to none. Frank Mir seemed to agree with Komikazee and was singing his praises all night.
Round one starts with Urijah landing an overhand right. Both continue to feint but Faber gets sloppy and throws double spinning kick that ends with him splayed on the ground from slipping on a decal. Chance could have pounced by stays patient. They eventually do lock up and Chance gets an Iranian lift and slams down the champion. They both scramble trying to establish dominant position with both utilizing extremely technical wrestling maneuvers. Urijah gets a cross lift and lands a guillotine but gives it up. Chance turns the corner and tries to get Urijah’s back but is unsuccessful. Urijah gets a weird north-south lift and eventually slams down Chance and sits on his opponents head. They struggle some more but Urijah eventually gets a body lock that allows him to secure Chance’s back. He immediately sinks in the hooks and the arm underneath the chin simultaneously for the Rear Naked Choke and Chance has no choice but to tap.
Urijah Faber wins three minutes and fifteen seconds into the first round