...OH, ONE MORE THING - PLEASE BOOKMARK US & VISIT DAILY!
By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
WEC 52: FABER VS. MIZUGAKI
NOVEMBER 11, 2010
LIVE FROM LAS VEGAS, NEVADA
Todd Harris opens up the broadcast for what is his second to last broadcast for Zuffa, and Stephen Bonnar joins him once again on commentary. They discuss the merger with the UFC right off the bat, and Bonnar makes a good point off the bat on the situation that it's hard enough to promote one brand, let alone two separate brands. They run down what's in store for tonight's fight card, and we should have a ton of action coming to Versus on the event here.
FIGHT ONE: DAMACIO PAGE VS. DEMETRIOUS JOHNSON (BANTAMWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Page says he doesn't think anyone has the power to stop him. Johnson says he's got a lot of surprises for Page and he's going to prove he can compete with the top 10 in the division.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Page has a massive size advantage in this one. He chases Johnson down early and gets a clinch. He lands a knee and tries to pull off a throw, but Johnson winds up on top of him. Page works out and gets back to his feet, and Johnson just avoids a big two punch combo. Johnson comes in and gets in close but Page grabs a body lock and pulls off a nice throw to bring Johnson to the ground. He works from side control, but Johnson got back to half guard. Page passes to the full mount nicely and Johnson's in a bad spot. Johnson pulls off a nice hip escape to get to half guard and scrambles to get back up. Page grabs another body lock and pulls off another beautiful throw. Page tried to pass but Johnson scrambled out. He then turned around and pulled off a double leg takedown of his own. Page got back to his feet quickly and grabbed a body lock. He picked Johnson up and slammed him down, getting into side control. Johnson got back to the guard nicely. Page landed a couple of short punches but Johnson stifled him as the round wound to a close. Page kept him on the ground until the horn.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Page. Fun round, but Page got three big takedowns, got to the mount and was the aggressor throughout. Good start to the show.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Johnson threw a high kick early. He popped in with a quick combination and backed off. Johnson again closed the distance but Page grabbed onto him for the clinch and dropped for a single leg. Johnson tried to hold it off but Page stayed on him and dragged him to the ground. Johnson got out and to his feet and ate a couple of shots as he got to his feet. Johnson then inadvertently landed a nasty low blow. It was the full shin between the legs. Ouch. Page is taking his time to recover, and Josh Rosenthal is giving him the time he's got available. Page takes a couple of minutes and is then ready to go. Johnson landed a leg kick and popped in with a short combo. He got another leg kick. Page landed a hard knee as Johnson shot in but Johnson drove through and completed the takedown into Page's guard. Johnson lands a few punches and Page tried to get his back to the cage. He finally does and makes his way to his feet. Johnson drops for another double leg takedown and completes it. Page held onto Johnson to keep him from doing much. Page tries to escape but Johnson quickly puts him on his back again and continues to stay busy. Johnson landed a few big punches in the guard. He got in a nice elbow, and he's scoring a lot of damage here. He stepped briefly to the mount but Page got out immediately, but Johnson ended the round on top.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Johnson. Very good round for Johnson. He used speed and timing to perfection with those takedowns, and did some damage in Page's guard. Good round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Johnson landed a huge flurry early that included a kick that looked like it rocked Page, and he brought the fight to the ground. He started landing some short forearm shots from the half guard as Page tried to defend. Page continued to try to scramble, but Johnson stayed in position and continued to stay busy. Johnson passed to side control and Page rolled to his knees. Johnson grabbed a head lock in the sprawl and then went for the guillotine choke. It's in really tight and Page is forced to tap! Huge upset by Johnson there.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Johnson via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:27 of the third round
POST FIGHT: Johnson said he needed to keep his hips away from Page as that's what Page was taking advantage of in the first round. He said he needed to fight smarter as the smaller guy but that he knew he was in better shape as well.
STAR RATING: (***) That was a highly entertaining fight with a big, decisive upset. Johnson did a great job of driving forward with the guillotine into the mount and finishing it there, but it's a disappointing return to action for Page.
FIGHT TWO: JOSEPH BENAVIDEZ VS. WAGNNEY FABIANO (BANTAMWEIGHT)
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Benavidez circles around to start off the fight, and both fighters are a bit tentative in the first minute. Benavidez landed a nice two punch combo. He gets in a good high kick that is partially blocked. Another two punch combo from Benavidez lands. Fabiano pushed in with a head kick that was blocked. Benavidez landed another hard combo. Fabiano blocked another high kick and threw a low leg kick of his own. Benavidez slipped on a high kick attempt but popped back up. Benavidez caught a kick to the body, but let it go. Fabiano slipped on a kick and Benavidez landed a few short punches as he got back up. Benavidez tried to stalk Fabiano and he landed a nice combo on the cage. Benavidez landed another hard kick to the body. Fabiano got in with a nice body kick. Benavidez landed a good punch. He walked Fabiano down and landed a three punch combo. Benavidez shot in for the clinch late but let it go and landed a high kick as he separated. Benavidez landed a good left. Benavidez landed a straight kick.Fabiano landed a hard kick late but Benavidez pressed him back with a nice combo to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Benavidez. He was far more active and landed some hard strikes throughout the round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Benavidez came right ahead and landed a short combo. Benavidez landed a knee. He sent Fabiano to the ground by kicking out his leg. He landed a hard right and Fabiano tried to grab a leg. Benavidez grabbed a tight guillotine but Fabiano somehow got out, but Benavidez took top control. Benavidez grabbed another choke, but Fabiano got out of it again and this time got on top himself into half guard. He passed to side control. Benavidez scrambled out and landed a hard uppercut and again grabbed for the guillotine again and this time Fabiano has to tap. Awesome performance from Benavidez.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Benavidez via submission (guillotine choke) at 2:45 of the second round
POST FIGHT: Benavidez said he's always in shape and he fights, that's what he does. He said he's got all sorts of guillotines, so he had to try a few of them out, but he got the "Joe Jitsu" on him with the third attempt and forced the tap.
STAR RATING: (***) That second round was thrilling, and Benavidez put on one hell of a performance in that fight. Fabiano has just been disappointing in his WEC performances for a while now, but Benavidez is really, really good at 135 lb. as well.
[Commercial Break]
-Anthony Pettis and Ben Henderson were interviewed cageside. Pettis said their WEC 53 fight will be one that can take place anywhere. He talked about his "World of Jenks" episode and getting a chance to show the fans a different side of the sport. Henderson said he's looking forward to getting a chance to fight in front of his friends and family.
FIGHT THREE: ERIK KOCH VS. FRANCISCO RIVERA (FEATHERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Rivera says his hands are better, Koch says he's the new breed and he's going to out class Rivera. Rivera predicted a KO win in the first round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Koch lands a high kick early. Rivera stalks and both fighters land some shots. Rivera continues to press the pace and Koch drops him with a head kick. He follows up with some strikes on the ground and it's all over. That was a shin to the side of the jaw. Huge KO for Koch. Awesome stuff.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Kock via TKO at 1:36 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Koch said he will hopefully get the bonus for that. But he gave Rivera respect for taking this fight on two week's notice. He said that was an Anthony Pettis kick (the two are roommates in Milwaukee).
STAR RATING: (**+) That was an awesome head kick, but the fight was very short and the result wasn't all that unexpected. That was an important win for Koch, though, as the violent and exciting finish will help him keep his spot near the top of the heap in the division when they go to the UFC next year.
PRELIM FIGHT A: CUB SWANSON VS. MACKENS SEMERZIER (FEATHERWEIGHT)
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Swanson lands an inside leg kick as Semerzier moves forward. They trade leg kicks. Semerzier caught a kick and took Swanson down. Swanson let Semerzier back to his feet as he couldn't hold him down and they traded some big punches back to their feet. Semerzier grazed a low blow but Swanson was fine. He came forward with a punch and Semerzier clinched him and pressed him to the cage. They jockeyed for position. Swanson pulled off a nice throw, but Semerzier got right back to his feet. But as he got up he ate a few big punches and a high kick. Semerzier landed a few big shots of his own. Semerzier landed a flying knee and tried to jump at him with a kick. Semerzier tried to grab a choke but Swanson got out, but not before eating a knee. Swanson caught a kick, but Semerzier landed a straight punch. Semerzier grabbed a body lock and got a takedown into half guard. Swanson landed a couple of punches to the body from the bottom. Semerzier stood up, but Swanson hit him with some up kicks and got to his feet. Semerzier landed some hard shots and then a nice combination to the body. Swanson got in a big punch. Swanson tried to shoot in but Semerzier held it off and landed a big knee. Swanson landed a high kick. Semerzier came in and landed a big punch. Swanson returned the favor with a few of his own as the round ended. Crazy start to the fight.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Semerzier. That round could go either way, but I'd lean toward Semerzier with a couple of takedowns and some big combinations, but Swanson scored a lot himself.
ROUND TWO: They traded leg kicks right off the bat. Semerzier closed the distance and clinched Swanson against the cage. He separated with a big knee to the body. Semerzier landed two nice punches and Swanson countered. They exchange big punches again. Both start swinging in the center, each landing a few good shots. Swanson shoots in for a takedown but Semerzier holds it off and clinches him against the cage. He landed a knee to the body. Swanson landed a punch but Semerzier rocked him with a knee. Swanson came in and threw Semerzier to the ground. Swanson started putting the pressure on with some big combinations at the cage. Semerzier fought back with some big strikes of his own. These guys are going crazy with these exchanges. Swanson came in with a big combination, landed a nice high kick and backed off. They exchanged strikes again. Semerzier landed a nice combination, but Swanson ducked under and drove in for a takedown. He ended the round in Semerzier's guard.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Swanson. The takedown probably sealed it, but he was pressing the action and landed some big shots on the cage in that round. Great fight here.
ROUND THREE: Semerzier dropped Swanson with a kick. Swanson got to his feet, but ate a knee. He landed a couple of strikes and then drove in for a takedown of his own. Semerzier gets to the cage and gets to his feet. He lands some short punches and a knee to the body and gets separation. Semerzier lands a few punches. He caught a kick and took Swanson down. He landed some punches to the body. Swanson tried to grab for a guillotine but Semerzier stands up and gets loose. They trade big shots in the center again. Semerzier lands a knee. They trade punches, with both of them landing. Semerzier lands a hard body shot. Swanson gets a takedown again. Semerzier kicks him off and gets back to his feet. They start trading punches again. Semerzier holds off two more takedown attempts. Swanson lands two hard punches. Semerzier lands a nice punch. Semerzier shoots for a takedown but Swanson holds it off. But Semerzier takes his back standing and drags him down. He lands some hard punches to the body and starts teeing off. Swanson is in a bad spot and Semerzier continues to land punches and fully takes Swanson's back. Semerzier lands some more punches as Swanson turns and regains guard. Semerzier starts teeing off and continues landing punches. Swanson got to his feet and they started winging punches at each other until the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Semerzier. He dominated the last two minutes, and the fight ended in a crazy flurry, but it comes down to the first round.
WINNER: Swanson via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
STAR RATING: (***+) Wild, crazy, highly entertaining fight, but I think Semerzier deserved that win.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT FOUR: CHAD MENDES VS. JAVIER VAZQUEZ (FEATHERWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Mendes said it's not about how long you've been fighting, it's about whether you can get in there and get the job done. Vazquez says Mendes hasn't seen a fighter of his level, and when he gets in there and realizes what he's up against, he's going to crack. Mendes says he's looking forward to getting in there and punching Vazquez in the face.
ROUND ONE: Mendes throws a high kick early but Vazquez blocks it. Vazquez tried to shoot, but Mendes threw him aside and landed a big punch before standing back up. He landed some kicks to Vazquez's legs before letting him back up. Vazquez landed a leg kick and started moving in. Mendes shot in and got a takedown into Vazquez's guard. Vazquez landed a couple of elbows from the bottom and then went to rubber guard. He continues throwing short punches, but Mendes picks him up and slams him down hard. That was all power on that. Vazquez threw his legs up for a triangle but Mendes landed a couple of good punches. Vazquez pulled it to rubber guard again and landed a few elbows. Vazquez tried to set up for an omoplata, and landed some hard punches, but Mendes got out of it and landed a couple of punches. Vazquez again went for an omoplata but Mendes got out. He postured up and threw some punches. Mendes landed some big strikes from the top. Vazquez grabbed rubber guard once more as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mendes. Vazquez is active off his back, but he didn't lock on an actual submission attempt and Mendes landed some decent shots while holding top position.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Mendes landed a hard leg kick immediately. Mendes landed a flying knee and hurt Vazquez. He landed some big shots against the cage and Vazquez pulled guard. He went to rubber guard. Mendes picked him up and dropped down again. Mendes landed a good elbow. Back to rubber guard for Vazquez, and he landed an elbow and some short punches. Mendes popped out and landed some big punches. Vazquez tried to smack the side of his head, but Mendes landed a few more shots. Vazquez landed more shots from the bottom and went back to rubber guard. Mendes landed a couple of punches as he stood up but ate an upkick. He landed some kicks to the legs. Vazquez threw some kicks to the knee. Mendes did a full front flip to get on top. Vazquez got to his feet and took Mendes' back, but Mendes somersaulted and got back into guard. Vazquez landed some more short punches but Mendes smothered him against the cage. Herb Dean stood them up with 25 seconds left. Vazquez tried to engage but Mendes avoided any exchanges as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mendes. Vazquez is still staying active when he's on his back, but he's not really doing anything there, and while Mendes isn't doing the most from the top, he's doing enough.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Mendes landed some punches in combination early. He landed another straight right. Vazquez tried to press in and landed a shot. Mendes got another takedown, but stood up out of the guard and Vazquez got back up. Mendes landed a nice head kick, and he followed up and got another takedown. He passed to half guard. Mendes slowed down in the guard, but did start landing some short forearms when warned to work. But they were stood up with two minutes left. Mendes again landed a few hard punches and sent Vazquez to the cage and Vazquez dropped to canvas. Mendes dropped down into his guard and Vazquez is cut under his right eye. Mendes landed a nice forearm and some body punches. Vazquez tried to hold control of Mendes and went back to the rubber guard. Mendes stood up and dropped back into guard with an elbow and a forearm. Mendes continued with short shots until the round ended. Very good performance from Mendes.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Mendes. He out-struck Vazquez in addition to holding top control for about three minutes in that round. That was just a very one sided performance from Mendes in that fight.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Mendes via unanimous decision (30-27 x3)
STAR RATING: (**+) That was a much more entertaining fight out of Mendes than the Cub Swanson one earlier this year, and he really did bring the fight to Vazquez. He landed some big strikes, utilized his dominant wrestling game and picked up another big win to stay undefeated.
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FIVE: URIJAH FABER VS. TAKEYA MIZUGAKI (BANTAMWEIGHT)
[Commercial Break]
PRE FIGHT: Faber said he wants to go down in history. Mizugaki said he hopes Faber doesn't think it's going to be an easy drop to bantamweight in this fight. He said he wants to be a world champion, and to do that he needs to go through Urijah Faber. Faber said he knows Mizugaki will be fighting until the bitter end. Faber said he's there to do the same, but he's better, and he's going to win.
ROUND ONE: Faber landed a right and pushed Mizugaki back. Faber avoided a strike and landed a counter right. Faber popped in and they traded punches. Mizugaki tried to walk Faber down to the cage but Faber landed a nice right and clinched. Mizugaki pressed him to the cage. Faber turned him around and landed a knee to the gut. He separated with a nice elbow and kept the clinch. He landed a few punches to the body. Faber landed a big short elbow. Mizugaki got in a knee high and turned Faber around. Faber got separation and landed a nice right. He then got Mizugaki backing up, but he ate a couple of counter punches as he came in. Faber landed a big right. Mizugaki tagged him with a punch. Faber shot in, but Mizugaki held off the takedown. He turned Faber around on the cage. Faber grabbed for a choke, scrambled and took Mizugaki's back standing. Faber worked for the choke and Mizugaki dropped to the ground with Faber still on his back. Faber got the choke locked in and Mizugaki went to sleep. Josh Rosenthal stopped that way late, but it was hard to see and Mizugaki's face was into the cage. Thankfully, Mizugaki recovered, but that was an awesome win by Faber.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Faber via technical submission (rear naked choke) 4:50 of the first round
POST FIGHT: Faber said he knew he'd have to do something drastic to put him out. He gave a shout out to the veterans. He said it's time to step up and get the belt in the UFC. Faber said he's at his most competitive at bantamweight and it's a new era.
STAR RATING: (***) Hell of a finish by Faber in a fight he absolutely had to win. That's precisely the type of win the UFC was hoping for out of him, and he'll likely be in line for the first Bantamweight Championship fight in the UFC in 2011. That was such a fast transition to Mizugaki's back, and in the process he became the first person ever to submit Mizugaki. Excellent win for Faber.
That's another event in the books. Thanks for joining us tonight for this live report, and make sure to stay tuned with us into the weekend for fallout from this second to last WEC card as well as Saturday's UFC 122 event from Germany. We'll have tape delayed round by round coverage of the event as it airs on Spike TV, but for those that want to know the results early, we'll also have the event results live as they take place up on the site, so make sure to stick with MMATorch for your fight coverage this weekend!
DON'T GO YET... WE SUGGEST THESE MMATORCH ARTICLES, TOO!
Jamie Penick, editor-in-chief
(mmatorcheditor@gmail.com)
STAFF COLUMNISTS: Shawn Ennis - Jason Amadi
Frank Hyden - Rich Hansen
Chris Park - Matt Pelkey
Interested in joining MMATorch's writing team? Send idea for a theme to your column (for Specialist section) or area of interest (i.e. TV Reporter) along with a sample of writing to mmatorch@gmail.com.
