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4
WEC 36 Preview
September 4, 2008 |
By Nicolas Bauer
WEC 36 looks to deliver a solid card as usual. Urijah Faber and Paulo Filho headline the card as they defend their feather-weight and middle-weight titles repectively. “Razor” Rob McCullough and Jens “Little Evil” Pulver add more star power as they are both slated to fight as well. The WEC has managed to string together some good fight cards as of late and this one seems to be no different.
The junior version of the UFC has done a great job of making the most of their opportunities. Fight cards rarely disappoint and fighters looking to make a name for themselves often produce memorable appearances. I almost hate to say it, but the WEC cards have been more well-rounded and entertaining to watch as of late, then some of the UFC’s recent offerings. On to the fights:
Rani Yahya Vs Yoshiro Maeda
There are probably not that many secret strategies being used in this one. Yahya is a talented ground fighter and managed to sub Mark Hominick after eating a decent amount of clean shots from the Canadian kick-boxer. Maeda is coming off a tough loss to Miguel Torres, after an impressive and gutsy showing, in which doctors called the fight due to an eye injury at the end of the third round. Maeda has won the majority of his fights by some form of knock out so he should look to end it similarly.
Outcome: Maeda should take this one. His aggression should be enough to keep the slick Yahya from gaining too great a position. I see Maeda ending the fight with strikes sometime late in the first or early in the second round.
Johny Hendricks Vs Alex Serdyukov
Hendricks is relatively green in terms of his MMA experience, but Serdyukov at 8-4 does not have a ton of experience. However, 3 of his 4 losses are to John Alessio (2) and John Fitch (1), not poor competition by any means. Serdyukov obviously has the edge in experience, but this fight is going to come down to execution, the more prepared fighter will win.
Outcome: Serdyukov should take this one no later than the second round, and I would not be surprised if it came by some kind of semi-basic choke submission.
Ed Ratcliff Vs Danny Castillo
Ratcliff and Castillo are both relative newcomers in terms of total fights, but this fight could be very entertaining. Ratcliff has a tendency to end fights with a bang, and Castillo has most of his wins by submission. This fight gives someone the chance to make a name for themselves in the sport and an impressive ending could mean bigger fights in the future.
Outcome: Ratcliff has the potential to stop this fight in the firs round, but the longer the fight goes, the more it favors Castillo. That being said, Castillo is going to eek out a victory in the second round via submission, after surviving an onslaught in the first.
Alex Schoenauer Vs. Steve Steinbeiss
Schoenauer has been around the block with the UFC and most recently with the IFL, while Steinbeiss is a relatively unknown. Steinbeiss is coming of 3 consecutive wins however, and is looking to make a name for himself. Schoenauer is coming off a mediocre 5-5 stint in the IFL and looking to re-establish himself as a contender.
Outcome: Schoenauer is going to take this one, probably via decision. Steinbess can definitely win this fight, but the it’s Schoenauer’s fight to lose.
Jose Aldo Vs Jonathan Brookins
Aldo and Brookins are both newcomers to the WEC, with Aldo having one fight for the company. Both fighters have impressive records and this fight could produce one of the better endings of the night.
Outcome: Aldo is going to win this one by stoppage in the first round.
Rob McCullough Vs Donald Cerrone
McCullough is coming off an unimpressive victory over Kenneth Alexander and losing his title to Jamie Varner in the fight before. Rob needs to come out aggressive and utilize his variety of strikes to pace he fight. Cerrone is undefeated at 8-0 and a win over McCullough would put him inline for a title shot.
Outcome: Cerrone is going to surprise some people and pull the upset here. He is very tall for a light-weight and Razor might take this fight lightly, and not properly prepare to deal with the reach disadvantage. Cerrone by 3rd round TKO.
Danillo Villefort Vs Jake Roshalt
Villefort and Roshalt are making their WEC debuts, and both fighters have the opportunity to get on the WEC radar. Villefort is well traveled in his young career, and should carry a slight experience edge into the fight.
Outcome: Villefort’s experience should carry him through and earn him a 2nd round stoppage either due to strikes to a submission.
Jens Pulver Vs Leonard Garcia
Pulver and Garcia are former UFC fighters and that usually ensures an entertaining fight. Pulver is coming off his win over Cub Swanson, and Garcia is most remembered for his loss against Roger Huerta. Both fighters like to throw their hands and should provide a very entertaining 1st round. Although Pulver is much more experienced I think Garcia is no slouch and will give Jens a good fight.
Outcome: Garcia is a tough competitor with a good chin, but Pulver provides a good combination of power and technique. Garcia is going to pull an upset in this one. His combination of grittiness and attitude will keep him in the fight long enough for him to catch Jens by surprise, and score the unexpected knock out.
Paulo Filho Vs Chael Sonnen
In a rematch for the middle-weight title Filho is looking to prove his win over Sonnen in their first fight was not a fluke, or phantom tap. Their first meeting was more than competitive with Sonnen winning the stand-up exchanges. Once the fight hit the ground Filho’s superior ground skills were enough to pull off the armbar in the end.
Outcome: Sonnen has every chance to grab the victory in the rematch and if he keeps it on the feet he will win. Filho is going to attempt to get the fight to the ground one way or another, but a game Sonnen will out-pace and out-strike the smaller Filho for the win.
Urijah Faber Vs Mike Brown
Faber is coming off a dominant performance over Jens Pulver, and is attempting to further his legacy as the best feather-weight in the sport. Brown is riding a 7-fight win streak into this fight, but he will need much more than that to come out victorious. Faber has a wealth of experience for a young fighter, along with top level skill and determination.
Outcome: A well prepared Faber should make short work of Brown. His game is constantly improving and unless he takes this fight easy, it should be over before the bell sounds in the 2nd. Faber could win this fight on skill alone but it may go to decision that way.
