WEC Results ***SPOILERS***

[Drooke]

SETH DIKUN VS. ROLANDO PEREZ

 

Round 1 - The two fighters nearly touch gloves (Perez refuses) and the evening's first bout is underway. Both fighters trade jabs and low kicks in series before a slip by Dikun leaves him on the floor. Perez punishes the legs with swift kicks but allows him up. Dikun shoots in for a clinch, jumps to guard and immediately locks in a triangle choke attempt. Perez tries to stand then slam out, but the legs are tight and Dikun is controlling the position. More than a minute passes in the hold, and Perez relaxes and sits on his butt. Dikun looks to transition to a straight arm-bar, taking turns looking at each arm as a possibility, and Perez starts to scramble. Dikun secures his opponent's right leg with his left hand to prevent an escape, cinches the triangle choke tighter, and Perez is finally forced to tap. Seth Dikun def. Rolando Perez via submission (triangle choke) - Round 1, 2:30.

 

FRANK GOMEZ VS. NOAH THOMAS

 

Round 1 - The two touch gloves as referee Steve Mazzagatti watches the action. Thomas opens with a low kick, but Gomez counters with quick hands. Thomas keeps the kicks flowing, but they miss. The crowd dislikes Gomez's patience, and he responds with two brutal knees from a Thai clinch. Thomas tries to drop for a shot, but Gomez sprawls. Thomas looks fully recovered from the blows, but he hangs on to to Gomez's body against the cage. Gomez throws a few pittering left hands inside, then sneaks a knee up to the head. Thomas continues to push, but he simply cannot take Gomez down, and the action has stalled dramatically halfway through the round. Thomas tries the other way, and drops to his back, pulling guard. Gomez land several hammerfists as Thomas tries to sneak up a high guard. Gomez won't let the legs pass, and he scores with ground-and-pound in in bunches. A few elbows sneak through as well. Thomas continue to look to bring his head up, and Gomez's blows in response are getting harder. An elbow opens a gash on Thomas' forehead, and five more spread the blood on the canvas. MMAjunkie.com sees it as all Gomez, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Gomez opens immediately with a flying knee. Thomas clinches and drops to guard, and the blood that had ceased in between rounds is now trickling out again. "Red" certainly didn't hope to earn his nickname this way. Gomez scores with elbows again, though this time Thomas briefly works his left leg in front his opponent's face. Gomez slips right back under and continues the assault. Gomez has elected to go exclusively with elbows for now. Thomas blocks some of them, but the damage is growing. Gomez passes guard and slips quickly into an arm-triangle choke attempt. Thomas signals to Mazzagatti that he's OK with a thumbs up, but Gomez maintains the hold and forces the tap just a few short seconds later. Frank Gomez def. Noah Thomas via submission (arm triangle choke) - Round 2, 3:12.

 

Urijah Faber sighting at ARCO Arena. Sure it was just a No Fear Energy commercial, but that didn't stop the growing crowd from cheering as loud as possible. Lower level and floor are nearly full, while the upper bowl is still a bit sparse.

 

ANTONIO BANUELOS VS. SCOTT JORGENSEN

 

Round 1 - With Chuck Liddell and John Hackelman walking him to the cage, Banuelos can hardly contain himself. He bounces up and down and stalks the cage once inside. Jorgensen takes the center, but Banuelos opens with a flurry of punches. A second flurry follows, and Jorgensen clinches. Banuelos overpowers Jorgensen and forces him to the canvas. Jorgensen works guard, then butterfly, then stands while Banuelos scores a few right hands. Back in the clinch and Banuelos works two hard rights to the body. Jorgensen works back to the over/under clinch, then pushes away. Banuelos scores slapping low kick, then a stiff 1-2 while Jorgensen covers up. Jorgensen holding the center, but Banuelos circling and picking him apart. Jorgensen answer with a few punches of his own, then a knee to the body before the two clinch again. Less than two minutes remain. Jorgensen measures Banuelos with his left hand then throws a high kick and a right hand. The crowd likes it, but Banuelos scampers away. Banuelos scores a left kick to the body, then pushes in and nearly dives into a guillotine choke attempt. The two flurry as the round ends, and both score inside, but Banuelos takes it on MMAjunkie.com's card, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Banuelos, still bouncing, circles again. Jorgensen stalks, but eats a 1-2 before blocking most of another gour-punch combo. Banuelos shoots in, but Jorgensen gets nice control in a front headlock. He tries to transition to a submission, but Banuelos pulls away. Working from the clinch again, each fighter scores left hands inside. The two flurry in the center of the cage, and Liddell is twitching in the corner, firing shots of his own. Jorgensen stalks and cuts off the cage, then tags Banuelos before clinching again halfway through the frame. Jorgensen starting to measure the distance better, and Banuelos is now retreating more than circling. Jorgensen scores a 1-2, but Banuelos doubles that in response. Banuelos breathing harder now, and Jorgensen just misses with a massive uppercut. Jorgensen lands a nice knee inside. Banuelos responds with a 1-2. Another impressive flurry by both men as time expires, and MMAjunkie.com awards a close round to Jorgensen based on aggression.

 

Round 3 - Fast action to open, and Jorgensen locks in a guillotine that nearly turns into an anaconda choke after a scramble. Banuelos scrambles out of the hold to the crowd's delight, and he answers with three punches that find their mark. Both fighters trade shots to the head, maintaining an aggressive pace in the final frame. Jorgensen scores in the clinch with a knee again, then two punches. Jorgensen lands inside with another knee, but Banuelos is right there to answer. Another knee follows in the clinch from Jorgensen, though Banuelos answers with a looping right hand. Jorgensen continues to stalk, utilizing his reach. Jorgensen grabs the headlock again as Banuelos drops to the floor. Banuelos rolls to his belly and Jorgensen briefly slides around and locks in a rear-naked choke. Jorgensen releases and settles for ground-and-pound blows. Jorgensen tries again for an anaconda as Banuelos rolls out. A mad scramble ensues as time expires, and the ARCO Arena crowd roars as the final bell sounds. A high-paced, entertaining bout that merits early "Fight of the Night" consideations. MMAjunkie.com sees the final frame for Jorgensen, 10-9, and the fight 29-28. The key will be the close second frame. Antonio Banuelos def. Scott Jorgensen via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28).

 

While a portion of the crowd roars in approval of the decision, the boos certainly outweigh the cheers.

 

MIKE CAMPBELL VS. ANTHONY PETTIS

 

Round 1 - No touch of gloves. Pettis tries a high kick, but Campbell catches the strike. Pettis recovers, keeps his balance on one leg and simply jumps to a guillotine choke while Campbell stands. Campbell drops to the floor, and Pettis breaks the grip and tries for an arm bar. Campbell rolls, the arm is fully extended, but he continues to roll with the hold and winds up on top. Campbell unleashes some heavy ground and pound from his feet. A few blows score, but Pettis avoids the majority of the damage. Pettis locks in a triangle choke as Campbell dives in aggressively. With Campbell detained, Pettis calmly readjusts his legs and squeezes tight. Campbell pauses before disgustedly tapping out. It's an entertaining two minutes, and Pettis looks sharp in the win. Anthony Pettis def. Mike Campbell via submission (triangle choke) - Round 1, 1:49.

 

In-arena shots of a calm Mike Brown in his locker room draw a chorus of boos from the still-growing crowd. Shots of a corn-rowed "California Kid" send the attendees into a frenzy.

 

KYLE DIETZ VS. RAFAEL REBELLO

 

Round 1 - In the battle of cornermen, Dietz boasts Drew McFedries, while Rebello answers with Gesias "JZ" Cavalcante. Dietz leads with a superman punch, but Rebello dodges and clinches. The two release and swing wildly, and a right hand by Rebello lands. Dietz rushes back in and Rebello tries for a guillotine. Dietz drops to the floor, pulling guard. Rebello stands, keeps control of the head, and slides around to the back. Rebello sneaks his left arm under Dietz's chin, though it appears to be more over the mouth than on the neck, and has both hooks in as the pair lays on their side. Rebello stays with the hold for nearly a half-minute, turning to the left and adjusting the choke before finally forcing the tap. Rafael Rebello def. Kyle Dietz via submission (rear-naked choke) Round 1, 2:55.

 

As the crowd cheers Rebello on for his win, the American Top Team fighter sings the praises of his teammates and predicts a main event win for "the man," Mike Brown. Crowd immediately no longer in support of the Brazilian.

 

JOHN FRANCHI VS. MANNY GAMBURYAN

 

Round 1 - As referee Jason Herzog brings the fighters together, the featherweight division looks much more suited for Gamburyan. A touch of gloves gets us started. Gamburyan tries a right hand, and Franchi answers with a low kick counter, Gamburyan shoots in. Franchi sprawls out and jumps to guard. Franchi utilizes a closed guard, controlling Gamburyan right arm. Gamburyan answers by burying left hands in Franchi's ribs. Gamburyan cross-facest, throws a few punches and drops for a leg. Franchi senses it immediately and scrambles out. The two jockey for position and Gamburyan looks for a kimura. It's not there, but he slides completely out and looks for an arm bar. Franchi remains patient, slips out and winds up on top of Gamburyan with the Armenian facing dow. Gamburyan rolls and sweeps into top position as Franchi pull guard. Franchi again closing the guard, and Herzog stands the two with 90 second remaining. Franchi jabs on the restart. Franchi feigns, then throws a spinning back kick that whiffs. Gamburyan a bit hesitant on the outside, then shoots from too far away. Franchi sprawls easily. and lands a few knees inside in the clinch. Gamburyan presses him against the cage, and the crowd disagrees with the strategy as time expires. MMAjunkie.com gives it to Gamburyan, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Franchi opens with a few jabs.Gamburyan patiently avoids, then lands a looping right that drops Franchi. A flurry follows of ground-and-pond blows, but Franchi again ties Gamburyan up with a closed guard and recovers. Gamburyan avoids an armbar attempt, then answers with a heavy downward right. Fanchi's head is trapped against the cage, and Gamburyan is grinding away with shots to the head and body. Franchi continues to leave his guard closed, and eventually earns a standup with slightly more than two minutes remaining. Franchi tries to jab and utilize his reach advantage. Franchi charges forward, and as Gamburyan throws hooks to the head, his opponent throws an uppercut that lands just a bit low. Gamburyan turns his back immediately, and Herzog suspends action. The crowd boos, but replays show a clear unintentional blow to the old Armenian jewels. The bout restarts, and the pair touches gloves. A clinch on the restart leads to little action, but Gamburyan backs away and lands an overhand right. Gamburyan then scoops up Franchi and plants him on the floor. Franchi closes his guard tight and seems content to slow the pace. Gamburyan drops right hands until time expires. MMAjunkie.com sees the second for Gamburyan as well, 10-9.

 

Round 3 - Gaburyan immediately charges in and shoves Franchi to the canvas. A familiar position sets up, and Gamburyan traps Franchi's head against the cage and delivers ground and pound offense. Herzog watches closely, but the attack simply isn't enough to warrant a stoppage despite the one-sided nature of the bout. Franchi keeps his guard closed, eventually deciding to try mission control. Gamburyan breaks it, stands, throws a leg kick, and leaps in with a flying right hand guard pass. Gamburyan stands again and delivers a few leg kicks before returning to Franchi's guard. Gamburyan continues to deliver right hands, then a series of assorted hammerfists. Two minutes remain, and the crowd wants a stand-up. Gamburyan is moving enough in and out of the guard to prevent Herzog from making that call, but this bout is simply a matter of waiting for time to expire. Gamburyan stands again, delivering three leg kicks before flying in with a right hand again. Franchi's bleeding around his left eye, and Gamburyan drops for an ankle when he hears the 10-second warning. Nothing there, and Gamburyan will have to be content with taking a dominating 30-27 win. Manny Gamburyan def. John Franchi via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27).

 

JOSH GRISPI VS. JENS PULVER

 

Round 1 - Pulver receives a warm ovation from the crowd as we prepare to hold the first VERSUS-broadcast bout of the evening. The bout gets underway, and the fighters collide trying to exchange leg kicks. Pulver shoots for the takedown, but Grispi slaps on a guillotine choke as he's taken to the mat. Grispi sinks it in deep, locks in body triangle and continues squeezing until the tapout comes seconds later. It's a quick victory for Grispi and a horribly unfortunate loss for one of the sport's legends. Josh Grispi def. Jens Pulver via submission (guillotine choke) - Round 1, 0:33.

 

In a post-fight interview, Jens Pulver drops several hints that the fight may have been the last one of his career.

 

DONALD CERRONE VS. JAMES KRAUSE

 

Round 1 - Cerrone srpawls early and after a ground battle, both fighters return to their feet, where they trade leg kicks. Krause clinches and then puts Cerrone on his back. Cerrone works the rubber guard, works for an omoplata and into an armbar and then tags Krause with an upkick before getting back to his feet. Cerrone pulls guard, works for a triangle and then again looks for the omoplata. Krause rolls out and lands on his back as Cerrone works from inside his opponent's guard. Cerrone tries to pass but can't since both fighters are against the cage. Cerrone kneels and delivers some punches before Krause gets back to his feet. Cerrone blocks a head kick and delivers two quick leg kicks. Krause follows with a body kick and then shoots, works for a single leg takedown and then gets caught in a guillotine. He breaks the hold and instead knees Krause cleanly to the face. Seconds later, Cerrone lands a nice left-right combination to drop Krause with 60 seconds to go. Krause defends, but Cerrone follows him to the mat, takes his opponent's back, secures his hooks but is too high for the rear-naked choke. After some punches to the head, he finally gets the position and forces Krause to tap out late in the round. Donald Cerrone def. James Krause via submission (rear-naked choke) - Round 1, 4:38.

 

JOSE ALDO VS. CUB SWANSON

 

Round 1 - Aldo immediately connects on a flying knee to the face that drops Swanson. Aldo delivers a punch, and the bout is stopped. Swanson is bleeding badly from his left eye. Jose Aldo def. Cub Swanson via TKO (flying knee) - Round 1, 0:08.

 

 

 

 

 

[Drooke]

CHAMP MIKE BROWN VS. URIJAH FABER (for WEC featherweight title)

 

Round 1 - Thunderous cheers fill ARCO Arena as Faber misses with two shots before Brown clinches and muscles him into the cage. Brown connects on an elbow before Faber breaks free. Back to the center of the cage, and Faber lands a nice quick kick to the head. Brown chases but can't connect on rapid-fire rights. Faber connects on a left before retreating. Brown is cut above his eye. He shoots, Faber secures a guillotine, but when they tumble to the mat, the submission is broken. Brown tries to take Faber's back. Faber gets to his feet, and Brown knees him in the face and legs while still clinging. Brown keeps him pinned against the cage but then eats two quick knees to the face. Brown lands an overhand right on the break. Back to the center of the cage, and Brown deflects a 1-2 combo. The fighters connect on blows at the same time, and Brown may have taken the worst of it. Faber throws a kick that's blocked, and the fighters hit the mat. Faber's on his side as Brown looks for position, and he eventually takes sidemount. Faber transitions to his knees as Brown goes to the north-south position. Brown works for the guillotine, but Faber gets back to his feet before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores an extremely exciting and close first round for Faber, 10-9.

 

Round 2 - Both fighters are very fresh to start the second round. Faber charges in and misses with a knee to the head. Brown stalks and misses high with a head kick. Brown works a series of blows to the body and an uppercut to the chin before Faber retreats. Back to the center of the cage, Brown closes the distance, delivers a big right that partially connects and then wrestles Faber to the mat before taking sidemount. Brown delivers elbows and punches. Faber rolls to his knees. Brown looks for a submission, but the constantly moving Faber makes it difficult, and he soon gets back to his feet. Brown pins him into the fence and delivers a series of blows. Brown shoots and takes Faber down. Faber locks in a guillotine, but Brown shimmies and circles to escape. The fighters battle for position on the ground before Faber gets back to his feet. Brown stays tight on him and pushes Faber into the cage, but Faber breaks free on a punch. Faber lands a front kick to the chin and a knee to the body, but Brown shakes it off. The fighters trade punches before Brown clinches and delivers a nice right to the body before the round expires. Another good one. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brown and has it 19-19 through two rounds.

 

Round 3 - Brown swings and Faber circles away. Brown regroups, dodges a lunging body shot and then partially blocks a flying knee. He can't stop the elbow strike but does for his opponent to the mat. Brown attempts a guillotine, but Faber rolls free. Brown maintains top position and delivers punches as Faber goes to his knees and continually looks for an escape. Faber muscles his way back to his feet, and we start again. Faber continually pushes forward with knew one-off strikes before circling away. A knee partially connects, but Brown closes the distances and puts Faber against the cage. The fighters trade knees before Faber sprawls free of a double-leg takedown and takes the top position as they hit the mat. Brown grabs a leg and looks for a submission. Faber escapes and gets back to his feet. Brown lands a nice left as Faber fakes a knee. Faber lands a right elbow, which he's tried continually (and may signal a broken hand for the former champ). After a clinch, the fighters jockey for position and trade knees from the clinch as the round expires. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brown and has him up 29-28 through three rounds.

 

Round 4 - Brown's corner now knows Faber's hand is likely broken before round four starts. We get underway in championship rounds, and Faber works punches early. Brown works a series of blows while dirty boxing before Faber breaks free from the clinch. Faber lands two body kicks before retreating. Brown blocks a head kick and then delivers a few punches as Faber backs away. Faber lands a nice overhand forearm strike as Brown comes in. Back to the center of the cage, the fighters match each other punch for punch. Brown pushes Faber into the fence and backs away after connecting on a forearm to the head. More dirty boxing from Brown before Faber lands two quick elbows to the head. Brown's body punch backs Faber up. Faber continues throwing elbows as Brown connects more frequently with punches. Brown with more dirty boxing as Faber continues trying to match him with one less working hand. After a clinch, both fighters land a few blows before the round ends. It's constant action from these two. MMAjunkie.com scores another close round for Brown, 10-9, and has him up 39-37 through four rounds.

 

Round 5 - The fifth and final round is underway, and the crowd is deafening. Brown pushes the pace early, but Faber is games and lands kicks and elbows from the clinch. On the break, Brown lands a couple clean jabs and then eats a kick to the body. Brown wrestles Faber to the mat. Faber, though, easily gets up. More standup, and both fighters connect. While clinched, Faber attempts a guillotine, but Brown simply throws him to the mat to break free. Faber then gives up his back and muscles his way back to his feet. Brown chips away with punches as Faber attempts elbow strikes. Brown shoots and takes his opponent to the mat, but Faber again gets to his feet. Brown presses him against the cage, but Faber takes it to the mat and locks in a north-south choke that Brown somehow escapes. Faber's bum hand likely cost him a golden submission attempt. With one minute to go, Brown counters a body kcik with more dirty boxing. Brown shoots, scoops up Faber and takes him to the mat. Faber, though, gets back up and connects on an elbow before the round ends. MMAjunkie.com scores it 10-9 for Brown and has the champ winning the decision with a 49-46 score.

 

WEC featherweight champ Mike Brown def. Urijah Faber via unanimous decision (49-46, 49-46, 48-47).

 

Sounded like an amazing fight....I can't wait to watch it.

[MattM]

My synopsis of the fights posted through themat.com  A nice night of fights all around.  Some quick subs and KOs mixed in with a few wars both on standing and on the ground.

 

http://www.thematforums.com/myforum/?show_topic=75818&forum_id=10

 

[Drooke]

Aren't you on vacation Matt?  LOL!  I think we both suffer from the same sickness.

[Drooke]

Following WEC 41 loss, Jens Pulver essentially calls it quits and hints at likely retirement

by Dann Stupp on Jun 07, 2009 at 11:00 pm ET

Following a disappointing 33-second submission loss to Josh Grispi at Sunday's "WEC 41: Brown vs. Faber II" event, MMA legend Jens Pulver essentially called it quits on his 10-year mixed-martial-arts career.

 

While stopping short of officially announcing his retirement, Pulver gave several indications that he won't be returning to the cage for any future fights.

 

Pulver, the first lightweight champion in UFC history, has lost four consecutive fights and six of his past seven.

 

Following the loss via guillotine choke, which opened the live Versus broadcast from ARCO Arena in Sacramento, Calif., Pulver praised his opponent and hinted that Grispi is the type of fighter who's since caught up with and even passed MMA's early legends.

 

"A lot of people didn't know who he was, but I did," Pulver said of his opponent in a post-fight interview. "I knew what kind of talent he was. A long time ago, I remember saying, 'There's kids out there in sixth grade right now watching me pave the way for them, and one day, they're going to be coming out here, and I hope I only get the opportunity to fight them and be in front of this.' And I've had that chance."

 

The near-capacity crowd immediately sensed what Pulver was hinting at and rose to its feet to cheer on the 34-year-old fighter.

 

Pulver (22-12-1), a decorated collegiate wrestler who graduated from the underground fight scene to a professional MMA debut at the Bas Rutten Invitational event series, joined the UFC in 1999 and fought Alfonso Alcarez to a draw at UFC 22. However, he'd soon find his stride and become one of the organization's top stars. He won the UFC lightweight belt in 2001 but would relinquish the title to fight overseas.

 

Pulver returned to the UFC in 2007 to coach opposite rival B.J. Penn on the fifth season of "The Ultimate Fighter." However, after a loss to Penn in the show's live finale, Pulver headed to the WEC, the UFC's sister promotion, but he had little success after dropping to the featherweight division. After opening his WEC stint with a win over Cub Swanson, he suffered a unanimous-decision loss to then-WEC featherweight champ Urijah Faber. It was the start of his current four-fight losing streak.

 

Pulver, whose abusive childhood was detailed in his acclaimed autobiography "Little Evil," eventually hooked up with Bob Shamrock, a father figure to troubled fighters. Shamrock set up a fight team in California, where Pulver trained before an eventual move to Pat Miletich's team in Iowa.

 

Pulver, fighting in Sacramento, acknowledged Shamrock after his latest loss.

 

"Thank God to you Bob Shamrock," he said. "I know I hope you're feeling a lot better. I started right here, and I'm not going to be that guy who keeps saying he's retiring. But I think I just ended where I started. I love all you guys.

 

"This has been an incredible run. And I'm not saying I'm done yet, but it's been incredible. ... I'm going to tell you guys, thank you for making an old man feel good."

[MattM]

Aren't you on vacation Matt?  LOL!  I think we both suffer from the same sickness.

 

Yes...and Yes.  Biggest fight of WECs existance I wasn't going to miss out on it over a little think like vacation.  We got settled in to the beach house today and I sat down to watch the fight with some of my wifes side of the family.