With good fights and a surprise in the main fight, WEC-53 ended the history of World Extreme Cagefighting with a flourish. The organization, which will merge with the UFC in 2011, held its last edition this Thursday (16) and honored the young Anthony Pettis. The 23-year-old fighter surprised the favorite Ben henderson to become the new lightweight champion. With the triumph, Pettis will have the right to face the owner of the UFC's 70-kilo weight belt, who leaves the confrontation between Frankie Edgar e Gray Maynard at UFC-125, to unify the titles in 2011. In another fight valid for the belt, Dominick Cruz didn’t give the “zebra” a chance and defeated Scott jorgensen in the unanimous decision of the judges, successfully defending the bantamweight title.
The WEC-53 fight program featured the participation of two Brazilians, both appearing on the preliminary card. Renan Barao achieved his second victory in the organization against Chris Carias e Yuri Marajo debuted on the right foot by knocking out Ricardo Lamas
With the right to a show, Pettis beats Henderson
Right at the beginning of the fight, Ben henderson He started better, working on combinations in front of a cornered Antonny Pettis. But in the second round, the challenger managed to impose his game and get into good positions in the ground fight, almost ending the fight in the third round, after trying to land a rear naked choke, well defended by Henderson. In the fourth round, Ben recovered and the athletes fought a very balanced assault, with reversals of positions in the ground fight and an excellent exchange of blows in the stand-up fight. In the last and decisive round, a magical moment, with one of the most spectacular blows in the history of the sport. Pettis went on the attack, while Henderson retreated. In a quick movement, Anttony leaned on the railing, as if walking on it, and delivered a beautiful kick to the champion's head, which resulted in a knockdown. The challenger started to end the fight with punches, but Henderson got up quickly and managed to avoid a knockout, but he was unable to avoid defeat. In the end, Anthonny Pettis won with a unanimous decision from the judges. (48×47, 48×47, 49×46)
No worries, Cruz defends bantamweight belt
Showing vast superiority in the fight, Dominick Cruz he dominated the five rounds against Scott Jorgensen and successfully defended the WEC bantamweight belt. With the result, Cruz becomes the first champion of the UFC's under-61 kilos category, as the events will merge in 2011. During the confrontation, Dominick worked with a lot of movement and counter strikes, facing an opponent who was unable to connect. your your game. Even with superior striking, Cruz abused his arsenal of takedowns and worked with great skill on the ground. In the end, victory in the unanimous decision of the judges (50×45, 50×45, 50×45)
Cerrone submits Horodecki
Donald Cerrone he proved at WEC-53 that he is one of the best lightweights in the organization. Against the tough Chris Horodecki, the “Cowboy”, as he is known, started the fight well with his striking, but used his arsenal of takedowns well to take down Horodecki and work well on top, where he almost submitted him in the first round. Already knowing that the path to victory was on the ground, Cerrone wasted no time and took the duel to the ground in the second round and worked on trying for the submission, after trying to apply an omoplata, well defended by Chris, Donald landed a very tight triangle that forced the opponent's withdrawal.
Shalorus beats Palaszewski by decision
In the first fight on the main card, Bart Palaszewski and Kamal Shalorus had a balanced duel. In the two initial rounds, Iranian Shalorus managed to impose his takedowns and work on top with punches, from which he scored points. In the last round, however, Palaszewski managed to keep the fight standing and connected the best blows in the exchange. In the end, Kamal Shalorus won the judges' split decision (30×27, 28×29, 29×28)
Marajo knocks out on debut
Brazilian Yuri Marajo debuted in the WEC in its last edition, but showed that he can make history in the UFC. In the confrontation against Ricardo Lamas, the Tupiniquim athlete started the fight defending himself from his opponent's striking, but quick to counterattack, the Brazilian boxed to end the fight.
Renan Barão finishes quickly
The first Brazilian to enter the octagon, Renan Barão needed just over three minutes to win his second victory at the event. Facing Chris Cariaso, the Brazilian put his jiu-jitsu into practice. After trying a kick, the North American athlete slipped and Renan didn't miss the opportunity. He kept the fight on the ground and quickly got to his back to end the duel with a rear naked choke.
main card
Anthony Pettis derrotou Ben henderson in the unanimous decision of the judges (lightweight belt dispute);
Dominick Cruz defeated Scott Jorgensen via unanimous decision (bantamweight title fight);
Donald Cerrone finished Chris Horodecki with a triangle choke in R2;
Kamal Shalorus defeated Bart Palaszewski via split decision;
Preliminary Card
Danny Downes defeated Tiequan Zang via unanimous decision;
Shane Roller submitted Jamie Varner via rear naked choke in R1;
Bras Pickett defeated Ivan Menjivar via unanimous decision;
Danny Castillo defeated Will Kerr by knockout in R1;
Yuri “Marajó” defeated Ricardo Lamas by knockout in R1;
Renan “Barão” submitted Chris Cariaso with a rear naked choke in R1;
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