As always we'll be here live to bring you results and thoughts on tonight's show.  For the sake of not spoiling any undercard fights that may make TV please keep spoilers out of the comments section until after the Versus broadcast ends.

I encourage you all to join us here tonight and give your thoughts as you watch the show as the back and forth is what makes the live threads fun.  Also as a special treat I'm going to go ahead and live blog the last two episodes of The Ultimate Fighter which follow the WEC (edit: disregard, there will be no TUF liveblog).

So if you want to hang out and discuss WEC 37 or The Ultimate Fighter with someone...I'm your huckleberry.

It's fight time!  The Versus broadcast is starting and I'll have live results up starting with the first fight here shortly.

Joseph Benavidez vs. Danny Martinez - Bantamweight action up first.  Round 1 - Kim Winslow is reffing...nice to see more female faces involved with the sport even in a reffing capcity.  Front kick lands for Benavidez and he follows it with a body kick.  Martinez ducks under and lands a glancing punch of his own.  A lot of distance work before Benavidez throws a flurry of punches, many of which land and a front kick to the chin.  Every time Martinez dares to come close Benavidez thows at least three solid punches.  Martinez takes his back standing now and so far has not been able to take the fight down and has to give up.  Benavidez grimmiced after a kick was blocked, I'm owrried he may have broken his foot.  Nevermind, he throws another one right away.  Great trip takedown for Benavidez and he has side control with twenty seconds to go.  The round ends and the BE scorecard has it 10-9 Benavidez.  Round 2 -From distance Benavidez is using front kicks and roundhouses while Martinez loos to load up.  In close Benavidez is using punching combos while...Martinez just looks to load up.  It's a fairly safe fight for Joseph at this point.  It's just a pattern fight right now.  It's taking so long for Martinez's punches to get there that Benavidez has plenty of time to just step back and avoid.  With a minute left in the round Benavidez looks for a single leg and Martinez grabs a front headlock, throws a knee and they go to the ground where again for a brief second Martinez looks to take his back before Benavidez escapes and they're back to standing. The round ends and I have it 10-9 Benavidez (20-18 Benavidez total).  Round 3 - Martinez is trying to be more aggressive but he has to pay a price every time he looks for his one punch.  Finally he flurries a bit but nothing significant lands.  Now back to more of the same.  It's not a boring fight but there isn't a lot of deviation from minute to minute.  Martinez with a failed single leg attempt now.  Jumping knee lands to the side of Martinez's head.  High kick lands a bit for Benavidez and now a roundhouse to the body lands.   Solid right hand now from Benavidez and he is finally starting to land hard instead of just landing often.  Left hand lands for Martinez and Benavidez's legs bucked for a second and he follows up with a knee to the body.  Benavidez has recovered now and there are only ten seconds left so I think he is safe.  The round, and fight comes to an end and I've got it 30-27 for Benavidez even with getting hurt at the end of the third.  Official scorecards: 30-27 across the board.  Joseph Benavidez wins by Unanimous Decision.

Brian Bowles vs. Will Ribeiro - Round 1 - Ribeiro immediately takes the centeras Bowles tries to bounce outside. Bowles with a solid combination, he ate one punch during it but he spun Ribeiro around with it a bit.  This time Ribeiro lands the combination.  Bowles is throwing a jab which Ribeiro is tapping out of the way with his hand, if he throws a straight behind it he can catch Brian open.  Mir thinks the opposite will happen and it will be Bowles that counters the blocked jab...we'll see who is right.  Spinning kick lands to the body hard for Ribeiro.  Ribeiro threw the counter to the jab as I said he would.  Ribeiro goes for a takedown but Bowles gets a guillotine which he turns into taking full mount.  One minute left and Bowles has a dominant position but Ribeiro is able to get back to full guard.  The round ends with Bowles in Ribeiro's guard throwing elbows.  10-9 Bowles on my card.  Round 2 - Overhand right early for Ribeiro as Bowles lowered his head.  Eyes to the floor is never a good idea when punches are coming at you.  Low kick from Ribeiro and Bowles grabs the leg looking for a takedown.  Ribeiro shrugs him off and as he stands over the downed Bowles eats an upkick.  Ribeiro lets him up and misses a kick as Bowles stands.  Uppercut, left hook lands for Ribeiro.  Now Bowles goes for the takedown and gets it into the half guard.  A few punches from Bowles as the ref calls for action.  They're stood back up with 25 seconds left.  Another takedown from Bowles and that may cement the round for him even though I'd actually like to give it to Ribeiro on damage.  10-9 Bowles I guess (20-18 total).  Round 3 - Ribeiro is looking to be more aggressive here and he is landing a few right hands early.  Takedown from Ribeiro and again he goes right into Bowles guillotine.  This time though Ribeiro has to tap out.  Brian Bowles wins by submission (Guillotine choke) round 3.  Again I'm not fully impressed with Bowles but he got the job done against a tough guy...so who am I to question him at this point?

Don't forget to stay tuned to BloodyElbow.com after the WEC show for my liveblog of the back to back TUF semi-final shows.

Wagnney Fabiano vs. Akitoshi Tamura - Is up next...and is anyone else worried that it's 9:12 and there is still a potential 8 rounds of fighting left on this show?  Round 1 - Fabiano with a takedown in about twenty seconds.  Working to pass to half guard and he's just about there.  Tamura is defending well but there goes Fabiano with the pass to half guard. Now looking to pass to mount and there he goes.  But right back to half guard.  Now Fabiano looks to land a few elbows.  Tamura is doing a very good job of avoiding damage and keeping Fabiano in half guard.  The round ends and while Fabiano controlled position the entire time he wasn't able to do a ton with it.  10-9 Fabiano.  Round 2 - Right hand lands for Fabiano and then gets a takedown.  Rubber guard for Tamura and as Fabiano tries to pull out he avoids any submission attempts.  Quick pass right back to half guard for Wagnney.  Fabiano goes with some more elbows as he is unable to pass to full mount.  Now Fabiano passes to the mount but is quickly pulled back to half guard.  The fighters are stood back up.  Takedown from Fabiano and the crowd boos.  Side control from Fabiano now.  Now its a full mount and a few strikes are landed by Fabiano.  Ten seconds to go and Fabiano lands a few strikes and drops for the armbar but the round ends as he tries to secure it.  10-9 Fabiano again.   Round 3 - Takedown attempt by Tamura as Fabiano tried for the takedown.  Fabiano walks up the cage and right over Tamura's legs to avoid the choke and now he has side control again.  Knee on belly into full mount.  As they get too close to the cage Fabiano jumps into side control.  Elbows open up a cut on Tamura's forehead.  Head and arm choke for Fabiano and Tamura has to tap out with 14 seconds left in the fight.  Wagnney Fabiano wins by submission (arm triangle) round 3.

Manny Tapia vs. Miguel Torres for the WEC Bantamweight Championship -  Round 1 - Jab from Torres knocks Tapia back stumbling.  Both guys are feeling eachother out but Torres is landing jabs solidly.  Kick lands solidly to Tapia's face and Torres looks much sharper here.  If Tapia can't find a successful way to close distance he is in serious trouble because Torres looks more than happy to stick his jab in his face all day long.  Now Tapia is coming in behind punches and landed a few nice left hands to the body.  "Forward roll axe kick" from Torres doesn't land, but it was a nice "WTF?!" moment.  Tapia continues to go to the body whenever he closes distance which is a beautifully underrated thing to do.  I'm going to give the round to Torres 10-9 as the shots he landed looked more effective but Tapia almost stole it with a few flurries.  Round 2 - Jab lands again for Torres and it was a nice one.  Right hand lands for Tapia over the jab of Torres.  Tapia has some blood under his right eye.  Spinning backfist lands solidly for Torres.  Right hand from Torres lands hard and Tapia drops.  Tapia looking for a takedown but Torres defends.  They're back to standing.  1-2 combo from Torres drops Tapia, Torres follows him to the ground and starts pounding away and the fight has been stopped.  Tapia is a bloody mess as he argues the stoppage...he got dropped twice and was mounted and getting pounded on.  Very solid stoppage.  Miguel Torres retains the WEC Bantamweight Title via TKO (strikes) round 2.

Nevermind the TUF liveblog.  I've been asked by multiple people to not provide it and I don't think it's worthy of a whole new post.  Watch and enjoy gentlemen!

BloodyElbow.com Staff Predictions for WEC 37

Miguel Torres vs. Manny Tapia



Luke Thomas: I just don't see how Tapia wins here. He has better power and is more of a slugger than Torres, but that's not enough. Sure, he can goad Torres into his game and that's enough to get the trick done, but Tapia is only a so-so finisher at this level. In a five round fight, that's death for him. Torres has too much time and too many offensive weapons to get overwhelmed against a fighter who has difficulty putting top tier fighters away. Torres, by TKO, round 4.

Kid Nate: Torres' unique combination of freakish 76" reach for a bantamweight and impeccable submission skills should prove too much for the game Tapia. Tapia wants to apply pressure and turn fights into wild brawls but I don't see this fight going anywhere he'll have the advantage. Torres by submission in 2.

Brent Brookhouse: While Tapia may be an A level bantamweight (I don't think there is enough evidence vs. top guys yet) Torres is an A+ level guy.  Torres has the more versatile striking and what he can do on the ground is crazy.  Maybe Tapia is able to catch him with a shot or two but Torres is going to take this via tapout.  Torres by submission in 1.

Nick Thomas: I've been waiting for this fight as I saw Tapia climb the ranks. Tapia won't make this easy but at some point this fight will end up on the ground and Torres will take this by submission.

Michael Fagan: Tapia's gonna fall into the same trap that Huerta and Stevenson did in their fights with Florian.  He's going to put himself in a bad position and Miguel's going to make him pay.  Miguel Torres by submission, round 2.

Cannon Jacques:  This should be another great bantamweight battle.  Tapia is an impressive fighter with an impressive record, but Torres is absolutely amazing.  His entire game is incredibly solid, and he fights hard every time out.  I like Torres against anyone close to his size.  Torres by submission in round 3.


Brian Bowles vs. Will Ribeiro



Luke Thomas: This is an extremely tough call. I've been consistently impressed with Brian Bowles throughout his WEC tenure. He's got underrated power and submissions, although there are aspects to his game - head movement, foot work - that need tons of work. Ribeiro worries me a little because his aggression often leads to recklessness and he barely beat a far inferior striker to Bowles in Chase Beebe. But Riberio, unlike Beebe, has the technical striking to beat Bowles provided he exacts a more disciplined approach. I'll gamble on the underdog here, although I'm not overly confident with the pick. Ribeiro by split decision.

Kid Nate: Brian Bowles has been very impressive in his last couple of WEC fights. He showed he has some power in his punches but he's primarily a wrestler with a decent submission game. That might be the wrong skill set against Ribeiro -- a classic Brazilian muay Thai + jiu jitsu stylist. I expect Ribeiro to take advantage of that style edge and punish Bowles standing. Ribeiro by TKO.

Brent Brookhouse: Maybe I'm watching some different fights than other people have but Bowles looks like a guy who has a lot of holes in his game and makes mistakes that a finisher can capitalize on.  Ribeiro can finish it standing or on the ground and I think he will finish Bowles.  Will Ribeiro by TKO round 2.

Nick Thomas: A fight for the #1 contender against the winnder of the main event. I'm giving the slight advantage of Bowles with his leg kicks. Bowles by decision.

Michael Fagan: I want to see Bowles/Torres.  Bowles by submission.

Cannon Jacques:  I think these guys a pretty evenly matched.  Bowles is on a roll, and I think he'll improve upon his undefeated record.  Bowles by TKO, round 2.


Wagnney Fabiano vs. Akitoshi Tamura



Luke Thomas: Tamura looked good against Rumina Sato recently, but I was shocked he lost to Kadowaki. I believe his outside striking game probably superior to Fabiano's, but his power is not. And on the floor, Tamura is a little more prone to the scramble, but he can't overwhelm Fabiano there either. I just don't see a way for him to win. Fabiano by unanimous decision.

Kid Nate: Fabiano really amazed me in his last couple of IFL fights, his wrestling and striking were as solid as his jiu jitsu game. I think Tamura can hang on the ground and should land some strikes standing, but I don't see him being dangerous enough in any aspect to beat Fabiano. I expect Wagnney to punish Tamura standing before going in for the kill on the ground. Fabiano by submission in 3.

Brent Brookhouse:Fabiano may be the most legit top level guy to come out of the IFL.  Matyushenko, Nelson, Rothwell, Whitehead...none of those guys are for sure top 10 guys in the division but Fabiano is totally legit.  Tamura is a solid guy, tough, decently well-rounded...but when push comes to shove he has been handled by better guys than Wagnney.  Fabiano can reasonably finish this fight wherever he sees fit...but I think he plays it safe and does it on the ground.  Fabiano by submission, round 2.

Nick Thomas: What a great fight here. The IFL Featherweight champ vs. the Shooto champ. Fabiano by decision.

Michael Fagan: Looking forward to this.  Fabiano has enough finishing skill on the ground to take it.  Fabiano by submission, round 2.

Cannon Jacques:  Fabiano impressed my during his time in the IFL.  I see Tamura becoming the victim of a choke.  Fabiano via submission, round 1.


Joseph Benavidez vs. Danny Martinez



Luke Thomas: Martinez has a similar skill set to Benavidez, but he has come up short against higher echelon competition. The jury is still out on how high the ceiling is with Benavidez, but I believe he's the superior athlete and technician. That's enough for me. Benavidez by submission, round 1.

Kid Nate: Martinez is skilled and dangerous, particularly as a striker, but I expect Urijah, Jr. aka Joseph Benavidez to swarm him with wrestling and get the submission. Benavidez reminds me of the Miller brothers or Jake Shields, someone who combines ace wrestling with lethal submissions. Benavidez via submission in 1.

Brent Brookhouse: Not too tough to call this one.  Benavidez is good and does have the potential to be great.  Martinez is a nice step-up test...but he doesn't have a lot of avenues to victory here.  Benavidez by submission round 1.

Continue reading this post »

It's a shame, really. A fantastic and fairly meaningful fight that I am fairly confident virtually no one is going to watch.

Attention Zuffa officials: you need Gina Carano in the WEC...in a bad way.

View photos of the entire weigh-in here.

Via Sherdog:

Miguel Torres (134) vs. Manny Tapia (134)
Wagnney Fabiano (146) vs. Akitoshi Tamura (145)
Brian Bowles (135) vs. Will Ribeiro (136)
Joseph Benavidez (135) vs. Danny Martinez (136)
Justin Haskins (169) vs. Johny Hendricks (171)
Ricardo Barros (205) vs. Mark Munoz (205)
Diego Nunes (146) vs. Cole Province (146)
Alex Karalexis (156) vs. Bart Palaszewski (155)
Cub Swanson (145) vs. Hiroyuki Takaya (146)
Shane Roller (156) vs. Mike Budnik (155)

And MMAWeekly reports on the non-fireworks from the evening's main eventers:

"I'm ready to rock," Tapia said. "I'm healthy. Mentally, I'm ready."

"It's a fight," Tapia said. "You just go out there and fight. I'm ready."

. . .

Typical of his predominantly reserved demeanor, Torres said he is focused on simply performing up to his own expectations.

"My main motivation is to go out there and do what I came to do," Torres said. "Go out there and fight a hard fight."

Thankfully there's not much need for verbal sparring when you've got a fight this good.

Main Event: Miguel Angel Torres 33-1 Vs. Manny Tapia 9-0-1

Co-Main Event: Brian Bowles 5-0 Vs. Will Ribeiro 8-1