WEC 42: AUGUST 9, 2009
Venue: The Rogue Joint at the Hard Rock in Las Vegas, Nevada
Main Card Bouts:
Miguel Torres vs. Brian Bowles
Luke Thomas: Bowles' record is so confusing. He's beating international-level professional fighters just as easily as he beat local tough guys in Atlanta. I'm just not sure how dangerous he can really be, but Torres will likely provide us with a keen look into just how far Bowles' ability goes. Torres by decision.
Kid Nate: Torres has a tremendous reach advantage and a serious technical edge on the feet. His submission game is far out of Bowles league as well. Bowles has power and a puncher's chance, but I don't see him catching Torres. Torres by submission.
Mike Fagan: Until someone comes around that can match Torres' physical attributes, I can't find a reason to pick against him. He's too tall, too long, and too skilled. Miguel Torres by TKO, round 3.
Eugene Schelfaut: I'll pick Torres until he retires, or at least until after his next loss. He has too many ways to win to pick against him. Bowles will not be able to get inside. Miguel Torres by KO, round 3.
Leland Roling: Miguel Torres will win this fight. Bowles loads up his hands in the striking department, keeps his chin high at times. I think Torres could simply box with him standing and dominate him. I've heard a few interviews from Bowles talking about possibly wrestling with Torres, but I just don't see how he can defeat Torres on the ground in top control. I think Torres wins this easily. Miguel Torres via TKO, Round 2.
Joseph Benavidez vs. Dominick Cruz
Luke Thomas: Cruz's incorporates very orthodox boxing techniques, but unlike Faber against Brown, Cruz doesn't have punishing power or is a bit of a counter fighter. That means Benavidez's Faber-esque attack should work well against Cruz over the course of the fight. Benavidez by decision.
Kid Nate: Benavidez is somewhat stiff, but he made a believer out of me in his last fight. Benavidez by decision.
Mike Fagan: Benavidez surprised the hell out of me at WEC 40. Not so much that he won, but that he did so in such a dominating fashion. I think he continues his pit bull ways here. Joseph Benavidez by decision.
Eugene Schelfaut: Benavidez will bully from top position, finishing Cruz with a choke late in the last frame. Benavidez by submission, round 3.
Leland Roling: Benavidez and Cruz have roughly the same wrestling background, but Benavidez also has Team Alpha Male and Urijah Faber at his side. He's more explosive and quicker than Cruz, so I'll take Benavidez by another dominating performance for contention. Joseph Benavidez via decision.
Ricardo Lamas vs. Danny Castillo
Luke Thomas: I'm not sure how high the ceiling on Lamas actually goes, but this is a match the WEC made for him to win. I can't see him finishing Castillo necessarily, but I just don't see how Castillo stops the Lamas wrestling/clinching/short range striking full court press. Lamas by decision.
Kid Nate: Lamas impressed against Bartimus and Castillo has a knack for getting sloppy and getting taken down, despite his wrestling skills. Lamas by decision.
Mike Fagan: Lamas showed some absolutely stifling wrestling against Bart Palaszewski. I look for him to show that again in his fight with Castillo. Ricardo Lamas by decision.
Eugene Schelfaut: Don't look for it to be quick. Lamas stays on top until the end. Ricardo Lamas by decision.
Leland Roling: Both men have solid wrestling experience, although at a lower level than Division I. Lamas showed us powerful takedowns, a great gas tank, brutal ground and pound, and intelligent boxing techniques. I think he's once again going to impress with the same skill-set, although Castillo has a chance to use his own wrestling to put Lamas on his back. I don't see that happening though. Ricardo Lamas via decision.
Takeya Mizugaki vs. Jeff Curran
Luke Thomas: Curran is a guard player at heart and I just don't see Mizugaki obliging him. Mizugaki by decision.
Kid Nate: I hate to see either of these guys lose this one, but I really feel like Curran is on a downward spiral and Mizugaki is improving his game with every fight. Mizugaki by decision.
Mike Fagan: How motivated is Curran as a fighter? He looked absolutely lost against Benavidez. I might be considering their last performances too heavily, but I like Takeya Mizugaki by decision.
Eugene Schelfaut: If Jeff Curran loses, Clay Guida will be the only fighter in my area on the big stage. I'm not ready for that. Jeff Curran by decision.
Leland Roling: I'm a bit torn here. Mizugaki looked good against Ueda in Japan, so it makes me believe he can hang with Curran long enough to escape. He has powerful ground and pound, and I think he can outstrike Curran as well. I'll take Mizugaki via decision.
Click on through to the full entry for the undercard predictions.
Fredson Paixao vs. Cole Province Luke Thomas Paixao by submission, round 1 Kid Nate Paixao by decision. Mike Fagan Fredson Paixao by decision Eugene Schelfaut Fredson Paixao by submission, round 3 Leland Roling Fredson Paixao via submission, Round 1 Marcus Hicks vs. Shane Roller Luke Thomas Hicks by TKO, round 1 Kid Nate Hicks by submission.
Mike Fagan Shane Roller by TKO, round 2 Eugene Schelfaut Marcus Hicks by submission, round 2 Leland Roling Marcus Hicks via TKO, Round 2. Phil Cardella vs. Ed Ratcliff Luke Thomas Kid Nate Ratcliff by KO in 1 Mike Fagan Ed Ratcliff by TKO, round 3 Eugene Schelfaut Phil Cardella by decision Leland Roling Ed Ratcliff via KO, Round 1.
John Hosman vs. Rani Yahya Luke Thomas Yahya, by submission, round 1 Kid Nate Yahya by submission in 1. Mike Fagan Rani Yahya by submission, round 1 Eugene Schelfaut Rani Yahya by submission, round 2 Leland Roling Rani Yahya via submission, Round 2.
Diego Nunes vs. Rafael Dias Luke Thomas Nunes by TKO, round 1 Kid Nate Nunes by KO. Mike Fagan Diego Nunes by TKO, round 1. Eugene Schelfaut Diego Nunes by TKO, round 2 Leland Roling Diego Nunes via KO, Round 1.