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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
Brad "One Punch" Pickett will meet veteran Ivan Menjivar at the final WEC card in December, according to a report from MMAJunkie.com.
Pickett had a nine fight win streak snapped in August at WEC 50, as he fell to Scott Jorgensen in a number one contender bout for the WEC Bantamweight Championship. Prior to that, he had made a splash in the WEC with an impressive Peruvian neck-tie victory over Kyle Dietz and a highly exciting decision victory over Demetrious Johnson.
Menjivar returned to action this June after a nearly four year absence from the sport. The 28 year old Canadian has fought a number of big names throughout his career, including current Welterweight Champion Georges St. Pierre in the Champion's first career fight.
He holds victories over Joe Lauzon and Jeff Curran. He fought once in the UFC, losing a decision to Matt Serra at UFC 48, and since that loss he's lost just three more times, one by DQ against Urijah Faber, and two decision losses to Caol Uno and Bart Palaszewski in late 2006.
The final WEC card is WEC 53, and takes place from the Jobing.com Arena in Glendale, Ariz., on December 16. The card, headlined by the final WEC Lightweight Championship bout between Benson Henderson and Anthony Pettis, will air live on Versus.
Penick's Analysis: This should definitely be a good fight. Menjivar, while he's been away from the sport for awhile, still remains a talented fighter, and he holds 16 stoppage victories out of 28 fights, split between submissions and TKOs. Over his last 21 fights, he's 16-5, and in those losses, to Vitor Ribeiro, Serra, Faber, Uno and Palaszewski, they were all by decision with the exception of the DQ against Faber. He should provide a great veteran challenge for the emerging Pickett, who will be out to rebound from the Jorgensen loss. This should be a very fun addition to this fight card.
UPDATE: The WEC has officially announced this bout for the card, and the two are expected to meet on the night's preliminary card.
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Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
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