Is the WEC Dumping Welterweights and Adding Flyweights a Good Move?

by Kid Nate on Feb 3, 2009 10:26 PM EST in MMA News

James Iannotti of MMA Mania thinks so:

With this move, the WEC will become the first major mixed martial arts organization in the United States to promote matches and recognize a champion in the flyweight division.

This is good news for the WEC in wake of the recent changes. Many fans wondered if the existing roster would be enough to support the promotion on its own. Now with the addition of flyweight, the WEC will be able to tap into an already established division.

And what better time to introduce fans to the likes of Yuki Shoujou, BJ Kojima and the real Afro Samurai Mamoru Yamaguchi?

It will also enable the promotion to showcase more lighter fighters more often on its cards and continue to build stars. Under the old format, several talented up-and-comers either didn’t fight frequently enough or were buried on the non-televised portion of the cards.

Coincidentally, the regional DC promotion Ultimate Warrior Challenge announced the launch of their own flyweight division today:

The Ultimate Warrior Challenge (UWC) announced today the launch of its Flyweight Division (125lbs) with a feature fight between John “The Magician” Dodson and Jose “The Pistol” Villarisco at UWC 5: Man “O” War on February 21, 2009 at the George Mason University Patriot Center Arena in Fairfax, VA.

Disclosure: I work for the UWC and its great fights like Dodson vs Villarisco that make me proud to do so. The winner could well be on his way to the WEC. Plus Dodson lost a close decision to Villarisco's teammate Mike Easton at the last UWC. Could be another grudge match between Dodson's Greg Jackson camp and Easton and Villarisco's Team Lloyd Irvin.

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Comments

You said it best

A flyweight division in the WEC = a whole new destination for these (and your) guys.

I’m psyched for this.

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 3, 2009 10:53 PM EST reply actions

They should also dump Lightweights

and add Women

by JCS_FM on Feb 3, 2009 11:04 PM EST reply actions

Nah. Their lightweight division still has depth and a lot of intriguing matchups. No need to drop it.

by ilostmydog on Feb 3, 2009 11:11 PM EST up reply actions

But they still needs a women’s division.

"I see him beating Anderson Silva. I see him picking him apart. Him at a 131 years old...(trails off)." - Tito on Belfort at Affliction:DOR

by Rundownloser on Feb 3, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

agreed

would be a perfect fit

by drano on Feb 3, 2009 11:17 PM EST up reply actions

just out of curiosity what matches are you talking about?

by drano on Feb 3, 2009 11:16 PM EST up reply actions

Any combo of:

- Jamie Varner
- Donald Cerrone
- Razor Rob
- Rich Crunkilton
- Bart Palaszewski
- Marcus Hicks
- Ed Ratcliff
- Anthony Njokuani
- Benson Henderson

by ilostmydog on Feb 3, 2009 11:48 PM EST up reply actions 1 recs

definitely add women

IMO there’s enough depth at lightweight for them to keep that one. Where else will we get to see Marcus Hicks & Ed 9mm Ratcliff tearing it up?

by Kid Nate on Feb 3, 2009 11:27 PM EST up reply actions

Sherdog says Dodson is 6-4 and Villarisco is 0-0. Are those accurate?

Mamoru is competing in Shootboxing this month, I look forward to seeing that fight. I doubt he will leave Shooto for WEC, but stranger things have happened.

by smoogy on Feb 3, 2009 11:12 PM EST reply actions

yeah Villarisco is making his pro debut — but he’s a champion kickboxer AND a NAGA champ under Lloyd Irvin.
I personally scored Dodson’s split decision loss to Mike Easton as a robbery. Dodson utterly out worked him and dominated the fight. I was sitting next to the judge and couldn’t believe the call he made. Dodson is 6-4 but has been fighting at bantamweight when he’s barely big enough to be a flyweight. This is a great move for him.

by Kid Nate on Feb 3, 2009 11:29 PM EST up reply actions

Thanks for the info. What title does Villarisco hold in kickboxing? And how old is he?

To be honest, I have only really paid attention to three flyweights so far: Mamoru, BJ, and M16.

by smoogy on Feb 3, 2009 11:44 PM EST up reply actions

since you won't click the link

your’e forcing me to cut and paste more of the press release:

John "The Magician" Dodson (6-4) fights out of Greg Jackson’s legendary MMA camp in Albuquerque, N.M. A returning UWC veteran, Dodson is widely considered one of the most entertaining and imaginative MMA fighters at any weight. A two-time state high school wrestling champion in New Mexico, Dodson took top bantamweight contender Mike Easton to a split decision at UWC 4: Confrontation in October. Dodson has been featured on the Versus Network’s TapouT mixed martial arts reality show.

Jose "The Pistol" Villarisco (0-0) is a champion kickboxer and submission grappler who is making his pro debut at UWC 5: Man "O" War. Villarisco trains with Brazilian Jiu-Jitsu world champion Lloyd Irvin and UFC Fighter Brandon “The Truth” Vera as part of Team Lloyd Irvin in Camp Springs, MD. A three-time WKA Muay Thai national champion and Virginia State Kickboxing champion, Jose is also a respected grappler with titles from the NAGA world championships and Grapplers Quest and a jiu jitsu purple belt under Lloyd Irvin.

by Kid Nate on Feb 4, 2009 12:14 AM EST up reply actions

will have to get back to you on his age.

by Kid Nate on Feb 4, 2009 12:15 AM EST up reply actions

Dominate is an exaggertion, Nate. Come on.

by Luke Thomas on Feb 4, 2009 10:13 AM EST up reply actions

oh it was a close fight

but I thought by the end Dodson had it. The repeated takedowns on top of the out pointing on the feet gave him a clear win on my card.

"the spirit of your average dumbass"

by Kid Nate on Feb 4, 2009 11:45 AM EST up reply actions

Easton had better defend his thoracic cage in this bout.

by bigweeze on Feb 3, 2009 11:49 PM EST reply actions

Make that Villarisco.

Chase Beebe has no time for fooling around with thoracic cages.

by bigweeze on Feb 3, 2009 11:50 PM EST up reply actions

They should bring in the Shooto zombie just for kicks and Masatoshi Abe for extreme cuteness.

BTW, this is the best BJ Kojima gif you will ever see.

<img src=“[IMG]”http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/Mattiasblogger/ShootoBackToOurRoots2/bjfallsoutofring1.gif" target="_blank">http://i134.photobucket.com/albums/q83/Mattiasblogger/ShootoBackToOurRoots2/bjfallsoutofring1.gif[/IMG]"/>

by ilostmydog on Feb 3, 2009 11:52 PM EST reply actions

OMG epic fail. On both ring exit and my previous post.

by ilostmydog on Feb 3, 2009 11:53 PM EST up reply actions

War Cejudo!

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 3, 2009 11:56 PM EST reply actions

Nothing against Flyweights but I don’t see how an American promotion can drum up any business with that division.

by bignerd on Feb 4, 2009 12:48 AM EST reply actions

they’re not going to headline many cards but they make a very fun appetizer for a main event.

by Kid Nate on Feb 4, 2009 12:51 AM EST up reply actions

People said that about 135 too.

by Tim Burke on Feb 4, 2009 1:45 AM EST up reply actions

Miguel Torres isn’t really setting the world on fire right now with ticket sales or ratings.

by D.Capitated on Feb 4, 2009 7:02 AM EST up reply actions

He should be.

by Derek Suboticki on Feb 4, 2009 3:45 PM EST up reply actions

I’d love to see the UFC drop the lightweight division and move all that top talent to the WEC. That would be the move that would get the WEC close to the PPV ready level and would add some real punch to their star power. BJ Penn fighting Kenny Florian on a WEC card for a belt gives them instant 1st tier promotion credibility worthy of a PPV.

It would leave the UFC and the WEC with 4 divisions and no overlap too, which would go a long way to getting the WEC out of the UFC’s shadow. As long as there are overlapping belts the WEC is going to get the UFC little brother treatment from fans instead of being known for having the best in the world in every division on the card.

by who me on Feb 4, 2009 1:40 AM EST reply actions

I don’t think they want the WEC to be “out of the UFC’s shadow”.

by D.Capitated on Feb 4, 2009 7:04 AM EST up reply actions

exactly

by Kid Nate on Feb 4, 2009 9:54 AM EST up reply actions

Their stated goal is for the the WEC to be a separate organization that supports it’s own PPV’s not a feeder organization. I’m not saying the UFC wants the WEC to be a an equal but keeping them in the shadow as a second tier promotion does work against their publically stated goals for the WEC.

by who me on Feb 4, 2009 12:36 PM EST up reply actions