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By: Jamie Penick, MMATorch Editor-in-Chief
WEC 53: HENDERSON VS. PETTIS
DECEMBER 16, 2010
LIVE FROM GLENDALE, ARIZ.
-The hour long Versus pre-show was a great way to lead in to the fights tonight. Broadcasting from the arena, they provided a nice recap of some great fights in WEC history and hyped up tonight's fights. This final event for World Extreme Cagefighting should be exciting as always, and hopefully a few of the preliminary card fights can make their way to the broadcast tonight as well.
For the final time we get the WEC opening video, and it's certainly going to be sad to know it's all done when tonight is finished. That said, 2011 brings a new era for the UFC, the bantamweight and featherweight divisions and the sport as a whole. But we'll close out the 2010 major MMA schedule in North America in exciting fashion tonight.
Todd Harris opens up the broadcast and brings in Stephan Bonnar to run down the fights on tonight's card. The top two fights on this card should be excellent, and they break down both Championship fights. The winner of tonight's Bantamweight Championship fight will walk out with the WEC belt, as well as the very first UFC Bantamweight Championship.
FIGHT ONE: BART PALASZEWSKI VS. KAMAL SHALORUS (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Shalorus says Palaszewski can't control him. Palaszewski says he hopes Shalorus will stand and bang with him. Shalorus is looking to ground and pound him to finish the fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Palaszewski circles the outside and Shalorus tries to walk him down. Palaszewski throws a strike and Shalarous lands a few. He popped in with a nice combo. Palaszewski walked forward and Shalorus pulled off a nice judo throw and got into Palaszewski's guard. Shalarus landed some vicious body punches on the ground and added in some shots to the head for good measure. Very good ground and pound close in the guard to start for Shalorus. Palaszewski threw his legs up for an armbar and got Shalorus to stand. Shalorus walked back in and landed some vicious strikes while standing above a downed Palaszewski. Bart did his best to cover up and block shots and finally Shalorus dropped back into his guard. Shalorus put a lot into those strikes and he's doing some damage. Shalorus stood up again but dropped back into the guard. Shalorus stood up again and landed a hard kick. Palaszewski finally popped back up and ate a big combo as he got to his feet, but he pushed forward and got Shalorus to back off. Palaszewski landed a few leg kicks. Palaszewski landed a good jab. Shalorus landed two hard leg kicks to the lead leg. Palaszewski had a kick checked. They traded kicks. Shalorus landed some more hard kicks to end the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Shalorus. He did a lot of damage with that ground and pound game, but Palaszewski did a good job of covering up and finishing the round on his feet.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Shalorus landed an early leg kick. Palaszewski threw one high but it was blocked. Palaszewski avoided a lunging right and landed a counter punch. Shalorus with another hard leg kick. Palaszewski popped in with a three strike combo. They traded leg kicks on the cage with Shalorus the aggressor. He barely missed a big overhand right. Palaszewski landed a left. He got in with a two punch combo. He got in with the head kick but it just barely landed. Palaszewski trying to be more active here, and Shalorus may have tired himself out with a lot of strikes thrown in the first round. Shalorus finally closed the distance and tried to shoot, but quickly let it go. Palaszewski landed the head kick again, but not flush and Shalorus just absorbed it. They traded kicks to the body. Shalorus grabbed a single leg and easily took Palaszewski down and into his butterfly guard. Palaszewski held onto him and stifled him, drawing boos from the crowd. Shalorus pressed Palaszewski to the cage and landed some hard punches. Palaszewski walked back up the cage, absorbed a combo and came back forward. Palaszewski started moving forward and landed a few more strikes as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Palaszewski. I think he edged the striking department, and got up fairly quickly from the takedown, but I wouldn't be surprised if this round went the other way. Palaszewski probably needs to finish.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Shalorus pushed forward with a nice combo and connected with a few. He got in with another big combo. Palaszewski landed a couple of punches. He countered after avoiding another strike from Shalorus. Shalorus shot in and got a brief takedown, but Palaszewski popped up and landed a knee. He came forward and landed a combo. Shalorus landed a nice right as Palaszewski moved in. Palaszewski landed the high kick again, but he hasn't put anything on it. He landed a nice counter right. Palaszewski landed a nice combination again. Shalorus shot in for a single again and got the takedown. The crowd booed. Palaszewski landed some strikes from the bottom but he needs to get up or he'll lose this fight. Shalorus passed to half guard. Palaszewski is holding off much damage, but Shalorus keeps himself active. He landed a hard forearm to the face. Palaszewski scrambled and got to his feet with a minute left. He landed a head kick. He got in another punch. He landed a knee to the jaw. Palaszewski is coming forward. His time is running out. He landed another knee. He came forward and landed a jab but the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Palaszewski. Shalorus very well may take both the second and third round, but I think Palaszewski did more damage overall and landed the cleaner, better strikes and held off damage on the ground while getting up every time he was taken down. Wouldn't be upset with either fighter winning, though, it was a close fight round to round.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Shalorus via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
POST FIGHT: Shalorus said Bart is a tough fighter, and he put all his strength to finish him, but he couldn't and tired himself out. He said he'll come back stronger and he promised an exciting fight next time.
STAR RATING: (**+) This was a good, even fight, and there are arguments for all three of those scorecards. I don't agree with 30-27 either way, but I can see how Shalorus edged out the second round. I thought Palaszewski had the third for sure, though, as Shalorus was extremely gassed and Bart did a lot of damage.
FIGHT TWO: DONALD CERRONE VS. CHRIS HORODECKI (LIGHTWEIGHT)
PRE FIGHT: Horodecki said he thinks he's a better striker. Cerrone said "the little bastard fights" and he plans on making a statement in this fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND ONE: Horodecki came out quickly and threw a high kick that barely made it to Cerrone's head. Cerrone came back with a combo. He got in close and landed a hard combo with a knee. Horodecki came forward and ate a kick between the legs and the fight was halted for a minute. Cerrone popped in with a couple of hard kicks to the body. Cerrone ducked under a punch and took Horodecki down right into side control. He tried to pass to mount but Horodecki nicely escaped and popped back to his feet. Horodecki tried to press in, but the reach difference is very clear in this fight. Horodecki landed a couple of punches to the body. Cerrone's landing knees as he comes in. Horodecki lowered his head for a shot and ate a knee to the face. Cerrone landed a nice two punch combo. Horodecki landed a leg kick. Cerrone landed a jab. Horodecki with a few more body punches. He gets in another combo to the body. He eats a kick to the body. Horodecki throws a spinning back kick. Cerrone landed another kick. Cerrone with another hard knee. Horodecki shot in and took Cerrone down, but Cerrone scrambled and got to his feet and landed a high kick, but the kick was caught and Cerrone somersaulted across the cage and hopped up. Cerrone tried to take Horodecki down but got reversed and Horodecki landed on top. Cerrone stayed active, however and nearly locked on a couple of submissions before scrambling back up. Cerrone shot in and got another takedown and quickly took Horodecki's back. He got the hooks in but the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cerrone. Really fun round to start this fight. Horodecki's got a big hill to climb with this fight, but he's had some slight success. Cerrone just looks a lot more calm and comfortable right now.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Horodecki threw a high kick early but it was blocked and he was nearly thrown to the ground. Horodecki got a takedown but Cerrone immediately got an omoplata and tried to wrench Horodecki's head. Cerrone moved it back and tried to lock on the triangle choke. The hold wasn't completely locked on and Horodecki is trying to survive. Cerrone is staying patient on the bottom and landed an elbow. He landed a hard forearm and both fighters stalled. Cerrone put Horodecki's arm across his body and pulls his head down to force the tap. Good fight from Cerrone.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Cerrone via submission (triangle choke) at 2:43 of the second round
POST FIGHT: Cerrone called out Cole Miller and said he's coming for him. Cerrone gave Horodecki credit for being tough and holding off from the triangle choke. Why he called out Cole Miller when he's entering the UFC is beyond me, especially with the high profile fights he's had in the WEC. No offense to Miller, but there are bigger fish Cerrone should have been looking for from that platform.
STAR RATING: (***-) That wasn't Cerrone's greatest performance. He didn't give Horodecki any respect, yet still allowed Horodecki to get in too much offense in that fight. Another thing that was ridiculous in the fight was Todd Harris calling for a standup while Cerrone had the triangle position on. Cerrone was simply waiting for Horodecki to make another mistake for him to lock up the hold tighter, and that was a really bad call from a commentator. But overall, good win for Cerrone in a fight he definitely should have won.
[Commercial Break]
-Cain Velasquez and Urijah Faber are interviewed at cageside.
-Next up is a cool retrospective video package on the history of the WEC. It's short, but nice to see.
[Commercial Break]
FIGHT THREE: DOMINICK CRUZ VS. SCOTT JORGENSEN (WEC/UFC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
PRE FIGHT: Cruz said his goal is to be the new UFC Champion. Jorgensen said he's going to go in there to win, to beat the #1 guy in the world and be recognized as the baddest man at 135 lbs. Cruz said he feels like he has a chip on his shoulder. Jorgensen said Cruz is going to be wondering why he's not the Champion anymore when the fight is done.
ROUND ONE: Cruz circled on the outside early and hopped in and out with a couple of jabs. Jorgensen wanted to cut off the distance, but Cruz is moving all over. He popped in with a nice three punch combo. He got in with another jab. Jorgensen having trouble early closing the distance. He landed a right. He backed Cruz up to the cage, but Cruz popped in and out again. Cruz landed a hard combination and popped out. Cruz landed another uppercut. Jorgensen got in a right. Cruz popped in and landed a hard knee and Jorgensen shoots in. He took him down but Cruz popped up. Jorgensen tried to take his back, but Cruz did break free and got separation. Jorgensen ducked under a punch and landed a right. Cruz backed off. Jorgensen popped in again. Cruz landed a hard right. Jorgensen tried to chase him down. Cruz landed a hard leg kick. He got in with another combination and Jorgensen is definitely having trouble figuring him out right now. Cruz barely misses an uppercut. Jorgensen landed a right. Cruz with another short flurry. Jorgensen landed a nice right hook. Cruz with three more punches and a straight kick. He landed a leg kick and Jorgensen rushed in and got the clinch on the cage. He landed a knee to the body but then got shrugged off. Cruz rushed in and Jorgensen shot in and got a takedown. He tried to take Cruz's back but overshot it and Cruz ended the round in side control.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruz. Jorgensen is having a real hard time dealing with Cruz's movement, but a couple of takedowns might give Jorgensen some confidence moving forward in the fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Jorgensen landed an early kick but it was caught and they scrambled. Cruz went back to circling and popped in with a couple of big punches before popping back out. Cruz landed a leg kick and an uppercut. Cruz is cut on the bridge of the nose. Cruz landed another couple of punches. Cruz shot in and got a takedown himself into Jorgensen's guard. He landed some punches to the body and short strikes to the head. Cruz got in some hard forearms to the head as well. Jorgensen got his back to the cage. Cruz continued to stay busy in the guard. He landed a lot of body punches and elbows to the head and Jorgensen continued to try to defend. Cruz is landing a lot of strikes on the ground. Cruz passed to half guard and got his back to the cage. Jorgensen finally got back to his feet and backed off. Cruz landed a flying knee and came forward. Jorgensen landed a high knee of his own and held off a takedown attempt. Jorgensen landed a kick as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruz. The Champ is dominating this fight right now, but there's still a lot of time left.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Cruz landed a right to start the round and pops out. Jorgensen again tried to close the distance. Cruz dropped him briefly with a right but Jorgensen got back up. They exchanged strikes. Jorgensen continued to try to walk Cruz down, but Cruz kept getting in and out. He landed a high kick but Jorgensen took it. He ate a couple of right hands. Jorgensen got Cruz to the cage and Cruz avoided the attacks and popped out. He landed a hard knee to the gut and moved away. Cruz got in and they traded punches. Jorgensen landed a left. Cruz got in a good leg kick. Cruz landed a jab as Jorgensen popped in. Cruz landed a right and then a couple of jabs. Cruz got in and landed a nice trip and got the takedown into guard. Cruz landed some body punches and pushed Jorgensen to the cage. Jorgensen pulled off a sweep and tried to take Cruz's back but Cruz escaped. Jorgensen landed a couple of knees in the clinch as they got back up. They separated and the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruz. His strking isn't pretty, but it's effective, and Jorgensen is getting frustrated here.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND FOUR: Cruz landed a hard right early in the round. Jorgensen is trying to get in a little more aggressively, but Cruz then shoots in and takes him down quickly. Jorgensen tries to scramble but gets put on his back again. Cruz lands some strikes and continues to stay busy in Jorgensen's guard. Jorgensen scrambled and got back to his feet. He tried to rush in and landed a right. He closed the distance and got the clinch, but Cruz turned him around on the cage. They jockeyed for position and Cruz separated. Jorgensen threw a high kick but it was blocked. Cruz landed a flying knee and a body kick. Cruz got close and tripped Jorgensen up again. Jorgensen spun out and grabbed for a single leg. Cruz stood up. He came forward and landed a hard body kick. Jorgensen closed the distance and landed a left. Cruz shot in again and got another takedown. Jorgensen's just having zero success in this fight as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruz. It's a clean sweep thus far, and the Champion has successfully flustered the challenger in every aspect of this fight.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND FIVE: Cruz again popping in and out, and Jorgensen's got to be in complete desperation mode. Cruz landed some big combinations. Jorgensen continued to walk forward, but couldn't find his mark. Cruz pressed in with a few kicks and threw a few punches. Jorgensen still tried to close the distance but still couldn't land. Cruz with another combination. Cruz landed some big kicks to the body. Cruz landed another big combo. He landed a right as Jorgensen came in. Jorgensen finally pulls off a trip and gets a takedown. But Cruz got right back up on the cage. Cruz shot in and got a big takedown again into Jorgensen's guard. The crowd booed as Cruz was content to do minor damage in the guard. Jorgensen is just frustrated on the bottom as Cruz landed more body punches on the ground. This is going to be a clean sweep for the first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion. Jorgensen got back to his feet and they started trading shots as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Cruz. His unorthodox striking game makes him very hard to hit, and he overwhelmed a very good fighter in Jorgensen tonight. He's a very deserving holder of the first ever UFC Bantamweight Championship.
[Commercial Break]
WINNER: Cruz via unanimous decision (50-45, 50-45, 50-45)
POST FIGHT: Cruz said Jorgensen is really tough, and he took everything Jorgensen had. Cruz said he's won three in a row for a title now and thinks people believe it. He said the future holds a lot of title defenses. He said he's ready to fight Urijah Faber.
STAR RATING: (***+) Cruz's style is just flustering for anyone having to try to figure him out in the cage, and he's able to get in and out with combinations and sloppy, looping punches and jabs with such speed that he oftentimes can avoid the counters he leaves himself open to. That said, you have to respect the man for his continued streak of victories and for taking out yet another really tough bantamweight in Scott Jorgensen. The challenger tonight was no joke, and Cruz made it look easy.
[Commercial Break]
MAIN EVENT FIGHT FOUR: BEN HENDERSON VS. ANTHONY PETTIS (LIGHTWEIGHT CHAMPIONSHIP)
PRE FIGHT: Henderson said he's finished everyone he's ever faced in the WEC and he'll finish Pettis tonight. Pettis said he's going to stuff Henderson's takedowns, stick to his gameplan and become the WEC Champion.
ROUND ONE: Henderson walks forward early as Pettis stayd on the outside. Hometown crowd fully behind the Champ tonight. Henderson through a jump kick but he wasn't close enough to land. Pettis landed a leg kick. Pettis moved forward and through the jumping kick of his own but it was blocked. Very tentative start from both guys here. Henderson pushed in and landed a hard leg kick and got the clinch on the cage. He grabbed a body lock and landed a couple of knees. He got in some to the thighs. Pettis taunted with a yawn. He got his arm in but Henderson tripped him up and took him down. Pettis put his back on the cage with Henderson in his guard. Pettis threw up for a triangle/armbar attempt and Henderson stood up. Pettis kicked him off and got back to his feet. Pettis moved forward with a high kick but Henderson avoided it. Pettis got in close and landed a couple of punches. Henderson landed a straight kick. Pettis landed a harder one that sent him back. Pettis landed a nice counter right as Henderson came in. Henderson drove in with a double leg and took Pettis down with 15 second left. He landed a couple of punches as the round ended.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. A couple of takedowns in a relatively tentative round were enough to take it, but Pettis is right in there.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND TWO: Pettis came forward to start the round. Henderson landed a good body kick. Pettis blocked a high kick and landed a good leg kick. Pettis got in and dropped Henderson with a right hand. He took Henderson's back but Henderson got to his feet. He tried to grab a kimura, but Pettis scrambled and nearly got one himself but Henderson's arm popped out. He worked back up to his feet in the clinch and then separated. Pettis landed a nice right again in a combination. Henderson pressed in and shot but Pettis stuffed it. Henderson clinched him on the cage out of the sprawl. He landed a couple of knees to the thighs and Pettis broke free. Pettis landed a left hook but missed the follow up right. Henderson landed a good right of his own. Henderson landed a nice body kick. Pettis threw a flying knee but it didn't land with full force and Henderson clinched. Henderson landed a knee and separated. Pettis grazed a kick low on Henderson but he restarts almost immediately. Pettis landed a nice jab. Pettis blocked the high kick and countered with the leg kick again. Pettis threw a high kick that grazed Henderson and the round came to an end.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pettis. He landed the more significant strikes of the round and had a submission attempt of his own. Close round, though, and a good fight so far.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND THREE: Pettis lands a straight kick early. Henderson comes forward with a leg kick. Henderson landed a body kick and Pettis landed a leg kick in response. Pettis is stalking now. Henderson landed an overhand right. He got in close and Pettis took him down. He passed to the mount and took Henderson's back. Henderson got to his feet and tried to shake Pettis off of him. Pettis kept position and Henderson got to his feet with Pettis on his back. Pettis has the body triangle standing and continued to try to get his hand loose. Henderson is keeping wrist control. Pettis lands some hard punches to the body and the head and Henderson is still standing. Pettis is just trying to get his arm back right now. Pettis keeps active with punches from under Henderson's arm and he keeps doing damage to the body and head while Henderson is standing. Pettis got his arm loose briefly. Pettis continued to ride Henderson's back and they traded punches as Henderson started throwing elbows to Pettis' thigh. Henderson is going to survive the round and he shakes Pettis off as the round ends.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pettis. That was impressive stuff from Pettis, but Henderson defended really well there and held control of Pettis' wrist to avoid the choke.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND FOUR: They traded nice straight rights in succession. Pettis landed a leg kick. Henderson landed a hard body kick. Pettis continued to be the aggressor, and kept Henderson backing up. Henderson shot for a single, Pettis almost got a guillotine and Henderson spun out and got on top. Pettis rolled back after trying to get a triangle. He gave up his back and Henderson took his back. Henderson got the body lock on and got the choke on but Pettis got out of it. Wow. Pettis tried to roll out and Hendrson hald onto the body lock. Henderson gave up the body triangle and Pettis escaped and got on top. Pettis got to side control and he took Henderson's back. Incredible back and forth action. Henderson stands, Pettis takes his back and throws a knee to the head before separating. Henderson landed a straight kick. Pettis stalked again. He blocked a kick and landed a nice counter right. Henderson landed a nice knee but Pettis continued moving forward. Pettis landed a combo. Pettis grabbed a guillotine but Henderson got out and into half guard. Pettis got guard back and tried to lock on the guillotine but Henderson survived the round.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Henderson. Really, really close round that could have gone either way, but Henderson came really close to finishing with the choke while Pettis' wasn't as close. Even going to the final round.
[Commercial Break]
ROUND FIVE: Henderson threw a straight kick and Pettis countered with a right. Pettis threw Henderson away after a takedown attempt. Pettis came in and landed a kick low. Henderson took a short amount of time but restarted. Pwttis stalked him. He blocked a couple of kicks and landed two big punches in combination. He landed another right. He landed another left hook as he came forward. Henderson slipped and Pettis closed in and took his back but he was too high and stood back up. Pettis landed a huge flying knee as Henderson shot in and sprawled as Henderson grabbed a single leg. He moved to a double leg and finished a takedown on the cage. Pettis threw his legs up for the triangle and rolled over and Henderson got his back. Pettis rolled over and escaped and stood back up. That was beautiful. He moved forward and landed a left. He threw a high kick but it was blocked. Pettis ran up the wall and kicked off and landed a kick to the face the knocked Henderson to the ground. Pettis started landing punches and elbows but Henderson recovered. That was the single most incredible kick I've ever seen in an MMA fight. He landed hammerfists and elbows. Henderson got to his feet and Pettis landed a flying knee to end the round. He should be the final WEC Lightweight Champion.
Penick's Scorecard: 10-9 Pettis. That was incredible. Pettis completely out-struck Henderson, and he should take this fight three rounds to two.
WINNER: Pettis via unanimous decision (48-47, 48-47, 49-46)
POST FIGHT: Pettis said that kick is a move he practices all the time. He said he's got ten more of those coming in the UFC. He said he got his tempo going in the third round. Henderson was interviewed, clearly disappointed, but said Pettis did a great job.
STAR RATING: (*****) It took until the final major event in North America of 2010, but there's my fight of the year. Drama with back and forth action, submission attempts from both fighters, and incredible striking in the fifth round from Pettis with the greatest kick I've ever seen pulled off in the cage, and he did it when he needed to pull off a convincing move to take the fight. Regardless of whether he deserves to leapfrog other fighters in the UFC for a title shot, that highlight alone makes him an easy sell for the UFC. Amazing performance from Anthony Pettis.
-Thanks for joining us for this final WEC event ever. The WEC went out in the best way possible in one of the best fights in the organization's history, and one of the most amazing moves ever pulled off in the sport.
We all can't wait to see these fighters in the UFC cage, but to the WEC: Thank you for the fights and the memories, you will be missed.
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
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