| 411mania.com WEC Review! |
411mania.com reports -
The Fight: LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT - Sherron Leggett (16-1) vs. Jamie Varner (12-2-1 NC)
My Prediction: Leggett, TKO, RD2
The Result: Jamie Varner via RD 1 TKO
Larry’s Enjoyment Index: 6.5
Final Thoughts: In the pre-match video Varner promised to "outclass this B-Class Fighter and end it in round one." Well, he did that and rather easily. Leggett was looking fine, and got a solid takedown on Varner, but Varner must have been watching a lot of Japanese Wrestling lately because he powered up Leggett and executed a Death valley Driver, dropping Leggett on his head and I thought killing him. Varner accidentally hit Leggett on the back of the head, getting a stoppage for time and allowing Leggett to get some time. But it was all for naught as Varner would get his back, rain down with shots and the bout was stopped. Varner looked awesome here and improves his record and I want to see more of him. This was a horrible prediction by yours truly.
The Fight: WELTERWEIGHT BOUT - Tiki Ghosn (9-6) vs. Blas Avena (4-1)
My Prediction: Ghosn, TKO, RD1
The Result: Blas Avena via RD 1 Submission
Larry’s Enjoyment Index: 5.0
Final Thoughts: This was an added bout from the dark bouts. I truly felt that Tiki Ghosn was going to come out and get a win, one he really needed as he had lost his last three fights, with his last win in 2004. This was a horrible prediction again by yours truly. Blas Avena looked like a beast and destroyed him in around one-minute. This was a fine addition since it was only a minute, and people love the quick tap out.
The Fight: FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT - Stephen Ledbetter (6-0) vs. Jeff Curran (30-8-1)
My Prediction: Curran, Submission, RD1
The Result: Jeff Curran via Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Larry’s Enjoyment Index: 4.0
Final Thoughts: We moved onto Featherweight action and I was excited because I rather enjoy Feather and Lightweight bouts. They are usually full of action and overall exciting bouts. This bout, not so much. I expected Curran to dominate in a quick fashion due to his experience and end it quickly. Again, not so much. Outside of a great shot by Curran early on, round one was a snoozefest and in the end, two of the judges and myself gave it to Ledbetter due to him controlling with takedowns. Round two was better, but was really exciting in the last minute as Curran got a TIGHT triangle, and Ledbetter was only saved by the horn. As we moved to the final round Curran worked hard, Ledbetter looked as if he didn’t want to be there and thankfully it ended. Curran gets the unanimous decision victory and this was the "worst fight" of the night in my opinion. Well I picked the right guy this time, so good on me! That’s all I picked right though.
The Fight: VACANT MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE BOUT - Paulo Filho (14-0) vs. Joe Doerksen (39-9)
My Prediction: Filho, Submission, RD3
The Result: NEW MIDDLEWEIGHT CHAMPION Paulo Filho via RD 1 TKO
Larry’s Enjoyment Index: 7.5
Final Thoughts: Up next was out bout for the Vacant WEC Welterweight Title. The undefeated Paulo Filho vs. Joe Doerksen. People were emailing me and saying that Joe Doerksen should have been brought into UFC, and not the "lowly" WEC. Well, they were wrong because young Mr. Filho took Joe Doerksen to school. There was a great combo by Filho, which took Doerksen down, Filho dropped down with punches, tons of punches actually and Doerksen held onto his leg while Filho landed punches at will. Somehow Doerksen managed to get to his feet, well punched to his feet and Filho took him down again, he landed more punches and the fight was stopped. Filho looked like the real deal here, and is now the WEC Middleweight champion. I haven’t seen much from him but he looks like he will be one to keep an eye on in WEC. I picked the right guy again, but I never expected Filho to finish on the feet, and in round one at that! Good show Mr. Filho.
The Fight: WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT - Carlos Condit © (20-4) vs. Brock Larson (21-1)
My Prediction: Condit, Decision
The Result: Carlos Condit retains via RD 1 Stoppage
Larry’s Enjoyment Index: 7.5
Final Thoughts: The main event of the evening was the Welterweight Title Bout between Carlos Condit and Brock Larson. I was fairly confident that this would go the distance as I thought Brock’s power and such would keep things grounded in his favor. WRONG AGAIN LARRY! They were working an interesting round, Brock had him down and in close, but Condit got an arm bar, a tight one. Brock decided that he would slam him down, but that was possibly the worst thing he could do as it got turned and he either tapped or it was stopped, and probably for the best since Condit would have taken his arm home with him. This was fun and exciting and overall great stuff. I had the right man, but was way off after that. I am just getting worse these days. Man that run I had a while back was great.
The Overall:
Best Fight: WELTERWEIGHT TITLE BOUT - Carlos Condit © (20-4) vs. Brock Larson (21-1) AND VACANT MIDDLEWEIGHT TITLE BOUT - Paulo Filho (14-0) vs. Joe Doerksen (39-9) 7.5
Worst Fight: FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT - Stephen Ledbetter (6-0) vs. Jeff Curran (30-8-1) 4.0
Show Score: 7.0
Final Thoughts: Now this was the first full WEC show I have gotten to see. I have seen parts of the last show and a lot of Wreckage and have liked a lot of the aspects I have seen, which I documented in the news column a few weeks back. They offered up five fights, two title bouts and exciting finishes. Four of five bouts ended in round one finish, which in a way is great for new fans that want to see decisive finishes. The two title bouts were very exciting. You have the champion looking amazing retaining with the arm bar after a slam and then Filho, not known for his punching dominating a man people thought was above the WEC to win a title. That makes for good TV and can draw in fans, and again, that is a good thing. Overall a good show from WEC, and with Jens debuting for them on the next show things are roiling strongly for them and I will be back to cover that show. This show is a thumbs up from me and catch a replay for a good night of FREE MMA action
