WEC: Aldo vs. Faber Review

Apr 26, 2010
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After two weekends of sub-par MMA events, it was left up to the usually exciting WEC to wash out the bad taste left in the fans’ mouths after digesting UFC 112 and last week’s Strikeforce.   The ‘Aldo vs. Faber’ event took place in Sacramento, CA – Urijah Faber’s hometown.  The event was somewhat of an anomaly for WEC: normally the organizations events are broadcast on the Vs network; this one was broadcast on Pay-Per-View, with the preliminary card shown on Spike TV.  Due to some sort of contractual issue between  networks, the WEC brand was nowhere to be seen except for the championship belts.  The event was branded simply as ‘Aldo vs. Faber’, and the usual WEC team of announcers and commentators was replaced by the UFC’s lineup of Joe Rogan, Mike Goldberg, and Bruce Buffer.

Preliminary Card (Spike TV)

Alex Karalexis vs. Anthony Pettis (155 lbs)

Round 1: The fighters circle for a bit, then Pettis lands a head kick that rocks Karalexis.   Karalexis attempts a takedown; Pettis defends but it gives Alex a chance to recover.  Pettis throws another kick; Karalexis catches it and tosses Pettis to the ground.  Karalexis lands several punches from the top then Pettis escapes back to the feet.  Pettis lighting up Karalexis with leg and body kicks.  Karalexis goes for a takedown but doesn’t succeed.  Pettis misses with a head kicks.  More leg kicks from Pettis;  Karalexis with another takedown attempt and drags Pettis down just as the round ends.  Round 10-9 Pettis

Round 2: Karalexis comes out swinging, closes the distance and takes Pettis down.  Pettis escapes and lands more solid leg kicks.  Another takedown for Karalexis;  Pettis locks in a triangle from guard, while simultaneously pounding the face of his trapped opponent until Alex taps out.

Ranking Impact: Anthony Pettis rises 12 spots to #77 LW.  Alex Karalexis remains unranked.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Leonard Garcia vs. Chan Sung Jung (145 lbs)

Round 1: Jung leads off with low kicks.  Garcia circles away and responds with punches.  Garcia tags Jung on the button;  Jung responds by moving forward and throwing haymakers and Garcia is glad to oblige in the kind.  A crazy exchange of windmill punches for thirty seconds;  they finally clinch and trade knees then break up.  Jung drops Garcia with a hook, and jumps on top of him to finish, but Garcia recovers and locks in an armbar.  Jung escapes, dealing more punishment from the top.  Garcia finally back to his feet and there’s another wild exchange to close the round.  Round 109 Jung

Round 2: The fighters resume trading strikes and Garcia drops Jung to his knees, but Jung fights through it and keeps swinging.  They clinch and the frantic pace slows down for a few moments.  Garcia misses with a big punch and is turned around by the momentum;  Jung takes advantage and jumps on Garcia’s back, dragging him to the ground.  Jung looking for a submission but Garcia is able to escape.  Back to trading strikes;  Jung backs Garcia up against the fence and tees off, knocking out Leonard’s mouthpiece.  Garcia fires back.  Another amazing round.  Round 10-9 Jung

Round 3: Jung has slowed down a bit and Garcia is circling around him and firing off kicks.   Jung returns a few kicks and punches that don’t have much zing.  Garcia catches Jung with a head kicks, which seemingly wakes up Jung as he attacks Garcia with a furious flurry of punches, backing Leonard up against the fence.   Garcia fires back but Jung walks through all of his strikes and keeps moving forward and throwing haymakers, and we have another wild exchange.  Jung finishes strong, amazing performance from both fighters.  Round 10-9 Jung

Leonard Garcia wins a split decision with the scores of 29-28, 29-28, 28-29.

Aftermath: Despite being robbed in the decision, the ‘Korean Zombie’ Chan Sung Jung impressed the fans in his US debut.   He’s sure to have many more exciting fights in WEC, as is Leonard Garcia, who broke his hand in the course of the fight.  Both fighters earn an additional $65,000 ‘Fight of the Night’ bonus for the action.

Ranking Impact: Leonard Garcia rises 1 spot to #22 FW.  Chan Sung Jung falls 3 spots to #44 FW.

Fight Grade: 5 4/5 1 point deduction for the decision


Main Card (PPV)

Antonio Banuelos  vs. Scott Jorgensen (135 lbs)

Round 1: Banuelos is getting the better of the early exchanges, tagging Jorgensen with hooks.  Jorgensen shoots and Banuelos sprawls.  They trade kicks and Banuelos knocks Jorgensen off his feet with a leg kick.   Jorgensen moves forward and Banuelos drops him with an uppercut.  Banuelos jumps on Scott, landing elbows and hammer-fists, but almost gets caught in an armbar and backs out, letting his opponent up.  Jorgensen attacks to end the round; Banuelos lands a nice spinning kick to the body.  Round 109 Banuelos

Round 2: Jorgensen keeps moving forward, landing the jab.  Jorgensen alternates jabs, right hands, and kicks.  Banuelos catches a kick but Jorgensen keeps his balance.  Jorgensen is finding his distance, landing jabs and crosses.  Banuelos is bleeding from the nose; it appears to be bothering him and is likely broken.  They exchange and Jorgensen drops Banuelos with an uppercut.  Jorgensen is all over Banuelos, looking to finish, but Banuelos survives and gets back to his feet, eating a knee at the bell.   Round 10-9 Jorgensen

Round 3: Antonio’s cut man is able to stop his nose from bleeding between the rounds, but Jorgensen soon opens it up again with his jab.  Jorgensen stalking Banuelos, landing jabs and right hands.  Banuelos is mostly evading and lands an occasional counter.  The pace slows down, until Jorgensen drops Banuelos with another right.  Jorgensen jumps in to finish; he takes Antonio’s back and looks for a rear naked choke.  Banuelos is bucking wildly, throwing punches behind his head but can’t get Jorgensen off him.  Jorgensen transitions to an armbar attempt to end the round.   Round 10-9 Jorgensen

Scott Jorgensen wins a unanimous decision, 29-28 on all three scorecards.

Aftermath: Scott Jorgensen avenges his loss to Banuelos; he is now on a four win streak, and is slowly creeping into the bantamweight title picture.  His next matchup should be against the former champion Brian Bowles.  Antonio Banuelos should take on Rani Yahya, who lost a decision to Takeya Mizugaki in an untelevised bout.

Ranking Impact: Scott Jorgensen remains #7 BW.  Antonio Banuelos falls 5 spots to #20 BW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Anthony Njokuani vs. Shane Roller (155 lbs)

Round 1: Roller immediately shoots for a takedown.  Njokuani defends but can’t stay on his feet.  Njokuani gets up and is taken back down.  Roller passes into mount, then takes Anthony’s back.  Njokuani tries to roll out of it but Roller has a body triangle locked and is looking for the choke.  Njokuani defends but eventually Roller breaks him down and locks in the rear naked choke, forcing Njokuani to tap.

Aftermath: Shane Roller has been rolling through competition in WEC, his sole loss in the organization coming at the hands of the champion Ben Henderson.  With the latest win, Roller is ready for another shot at Benson.

Anthony Njokuani is dealt a tough loss after a string of knockout victories.  His next bout should be against Anthony Pettis.

Ranking Impact: Shane Roller rises 22 spots to #31 LW.  Anthony Njokuani falls 30 spots to #94 LW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Brad Pickett  vs. Demetrious Johnson (135 lbs)

Round 1: Johnson is the quicker fighter, circling around Pickett and darting in-and-out of range with strikes.  Johnson connecting with jabs and kicks;  Pickett absorbs the punishment and gets a double-leg takedown.  Johnson maintains guard and gets back to his feet.  Pickett with another takedown; the fighters struggle as Pickett passes into half-guard but can’t advance further.  Johnson back up and lands a few strikes before being slammed down again.  Pickett passes into side control but Johnson escapes to his feet.  They trade strikes as the round ends.  Round 109 Pickett

Round 2: The fighters circle and exchange leg kicks to start the second.   Fairly even on the feet until Pickett takes Johnson down from clinch.  Johnson gets up very quickly.  Pickett takes him back down.  Pickett can’t keep Demetrious down, but Johnson can’t remain standing.  Johnson fires off a series of strikes every time he regains his footing, but finds himself on the back again.  This time it’s a huge slam and Pickett passes into mount and unloads with punches, but Johnson survives the round.  Round 10-9 Pickett

Round 3: Johnson’s corner advises a takedown between rounds, and Johnson obliges, scoring with a double-leg from across the Octagon.   Pickett is quickly back on his feet and takes Johnson down in turn.  Johnson back up and they exchange another set of takedowns.  Pickett on top and passes into mount but Johnson throws him off and stands up, landing a combination.  They clinch and Pickett lands a big knee to the body.  Round 10-9 Pickett

Brad Pickett wins a unanimous decision with the scores of 30-27, 30-27, 29-28

Ranking Impact: Brad Pickett rises 9 spots to #16 BW.  Demetrious Johnson falls 21 spots to #77 BW.

Fight Grade: 3/5


Mike Brown vs. Manvel Gamburyan (145 lbs)

Round 1: Brown attacks while Gamburyan is looking to counter-strike.  Mostly missed punches from both in the first minute.  Brown backs Gamburyan up against the cage and leaps forward connecting with a wild punch; Manny takes it and responds with a short hook that drops Brown.  Gamburyan jumps in with hammer-fists, finishing his opponent.

Aftermath: Manvel ‘The Pitbull’ Gamburyan, undefeated as a featherweight,  earns himself a title shot and a ‘Knockout of the Night’ with a KO of the former champion.  Mike Brown was looking forward for a rematch with Jose Aldo, but instead will find himself trying to rebound against Mackens Semerzier or Deividas Taurosevicius.

Ranking Impact: Manny Gamburyan rises 18 spots to #2 FW.  Mike Brown falls 4 spots to #6 FW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Champion Ben Henderson vs. Donald Cerrone (155 lbs title bout)

Round 1: Cerrone leads with leg kicks.  Henderson catches a kick and takes Donald down.  Cerrone works his way to his knees.  Henderson lands knees to the leg from clinch, then knees to the head once Cerrone is standing on two feet.  Henderson trips Cerrone back down; Cerrone pops up but gets caught in a guillotine.  Henderson cranks it and Cerrone taps out.

Aftermath: Ben Henderson leaves no doubts in a rematch, finishing Cerrone in the first round after previously having won a close decision.  His next title defense will most likely be another rematch – Shane Roller.   Henderson earns the ‘Submission of the Night’ award.

Donald Cerrone was finished for the first time in his career, and is for the moment out of the title picture.  His next bout should come against Ricardo Lamas or Bart Palaszewski.

Ranking Impact: Ben Henderson rises 11 spots to #13 LW.  Donald Cerrone falls 17 spots to #64 LW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Chad Mendes vs. Anthony Morrison (145 lbs)

Round 1: Mendes moves forward with punches.  Morrison fires back.  Mendes attempts a takedown; Morrison pushes him off and peppers him with punches.  Mendes is persistent and eventually drags Morrison to the ground.  Anthony works his way back to his feet but Mendes catches him in a guillotine and jumps into guard.  Mendes adjusts the choke and Morrison taps out.

Ranking Impact: Chad Mendes rises 1 spot to #9 FW.  Anthony Morrison falls 8 spots to #58 FW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Tyler Toner  vs. Brandon Visher (145 lbs)

Round 1: Toner attacks with kicks.  Visher evades and answers with punch combinations.  Both fighters are looking to land big shots.  It’s a firefight and Toner eventually catches Visher, putting him down with a left and following up with strikes on the ground until the ref steps in to stop the bout.

Ranking Impact: Tyler Toner rises 41 spots to #35 FW.  Brandon Visher falls 34 spots to #85 FW.

Fight Grade: 4/5


Champion Jose Aldo vs. Urijah Faber (145 lbs title bout)

Round 1: Faber is the aggressor early, moving forward and throwing kicks.  Aldo evades and responds with leg kicks.  Few leg kicks land square, one knocks Faber off his feet.  Faber gets up and shoots for a takedown but Aldo steps out of the way.  Aldo lands a punch combination and another leg kick.  Faber charges forward, and runs into a knee to the body.  Faber charges again and eats another knee.  Round 10-9 Aldo

Round 2: Faber feints and tries to find his distance.  Aldo kicks to the body then to the legs.  Faber lands an occasional punch but Aldo mostly stays right outside of his range.  Aldo continues landing leg kicks; Faber is switching stances trying to minimize the damage.  Faber is limping by the end of the round.    Round 10-9 Aldo

Round 3: Aldo continues picking Faber apart with leg kicks.  Faber attempts a takedown but doesn’t come close.  Aldo is methodical in his attack; Faber has no defense for the kicks that make him stumble and spin around.  Aldo lands a head kick and follows up with a flurry; Faber survives by putting some distance between them.  Aldo drops Faber with another leg kick as the round runs out.  Round 10-9 Aldo

Round 4: Faber’s left knee and thigh are grotesquely swollen.  Aldo keeps kicking the legs;  Faber shoots for a desperate takedown but ends up on his back with Aldo in guard.  Faber scrambles back up and is dropped with a leg kick.  Aldo jumps on Faber, passes into mount then side control.  Aldo secures the crucifix position and with a minute and a half left in the round, pounds away at Faber’s exposed face.  Faber is trapped, eating the punches, but the referee lets the beating continue for the remainder of the round.  Round 10-8 Aldo

Round 5: Faber is moving a little better after being off his feet for most of the fourth round.  Faber shooting desperate takedowns and Aldo just steps out of the way, leaving Faber to flop to his back.  Hardly any attack from Aldo who seems content to just ride out the round rather than going for the kill.  The fans are starting to boo.  Aldo hurts Faber with a body punch then drops him with another leg kick.   Aldo may have been getting tired towards the end but Faber too beat up at this point to take advantage.  Round 10-9 Aldo

Jose Aldo defeats Urijah by unanimous decision with the scores of 50-45, 49-45, 49-45 to retain the WEC featherweight championship.

Aftermath: Jose Aldo is now 7-0 in the WEC, and in his first title defense he has shown the ability to go the five rounds, despite fading a bit at the end.   His next defense should come against Manvel Gamburyan.

Former champion Urijah Faber is in an unenviable position, with three losses in his last five fights and having been thoroughly battered by the current and the previous champs.  Completely out of the title picture, he has been rumored to consider dropping down to 135 lbs.

Ranking Impact: Jose Aldo remains #1 FW and 3 spots to #5 on the Division Dominance list.  Urijah Faber falls 4 spots to #7 FW.

Fight Grade: 3/5

WEC’s Pay-Per-View debut turned out to be an excellent event – just like most other WEC shows have.  Whatever the future may hold for the organization, the lighter weight fighters are here to stay, having once again demonstrated that they consistently deliver the most exciting bouts.

Event Grade: 4.5/5

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