For the past several WEC events, the viewers have been spoiled with multiple title defenses on each card. WEC 33 “Back to Vegas” was also scheduled to have two titles on the line. This was not meant to be, as the WEC Middleweight champion Paulo Filho is currently undergoing treatment for depression and substance abuse, and had to pull out of his scheduled rematch with Chael Sonnen, leaving this card with only the WEC Light Heavyweight title up for grabs.
Steve Cantwell vs. Tim McKenzie
Starting off the televised card with a 205 bout, McKenzie came out as the aggressor early on, only to get caught in the neck by a high kick from Cantwell. Cantwell followed up with more strikes then took his dazed opponent to the ground, taking McKenzie’s back and finishing the bout with a rear naked choke for the submission victory.
Fight grade: 3/5
Marcus Hicks vs. Ed Ratcliff
In a battle of undefeated lightweight prospects, Hicks utilized his professional boxing experience to negate the reach advantage of the taller Ratcliff. Hicks stunned Ratcliff with a wide hook to the chin, and then jumped into a standing guillotine choke. Ratcliff escaped but was taken down and got caught in another guillotine with his back against the fence, this time being forced to tap out. Marcus Hicks asked for a shot at the new WEC 155-lbs champion Jamie Varner in the post-fight interview.
Fight grade: 4/5
Richard Crunkilton vs. Sergio Gomez
In another lightweight bout, UFC veteran Crunkilton’s wrestling ability proved to be too much for Gomez to overcome. Crunkilton opened a nasty cut on the back of Sergio’s head with an elbow from clinch early in the first round, then proceeded to take Gomez down and repeatedly attempted to lock in the D’Arce choke. Gomez defended well and was able to get back to his feet, winning most standup exchanges. However he kept giving up the takedown, looking increasingly frustrated as the rounds went on, and eventually losing the unanimous decision to Crunkilton.
Fight grade: 3/5
Chael Sonnen vs. Bryan Baker
While the rematch with Filho is on the shelf, Sonnen made the best of the situation by showcasing his skills against undefeated Baker. Sonnen secured a takedown seconds into every round, and dominated Baker on the ground from every possible position. The few times Baker was able to work back to his feet, he quickly found himself on his back again – including a suplex in the first round that landed Baker directly on the top of his head. Baker showed heart and perseverance but was mostly helpless on the ground, frequently throwing up his legs looking for a submission but only a single armbar attempt in the third round came close to catching Sonnen. Sonnen won one of the more lopsided decisions I’ve ever seen in the MMA bout (30-25, 30-25, and 30-26 on the judges’ scorecards).
Fight grade: 3.5/5
Champion Doug Marshall vs. Brian Stann
In the main event, the defending WEC 205-lbs champion Doug Marshall put his title on the line against undefeated contender Brian Stann. Marshall appeared to be much smaller than his opponent, and seemed wary of Stann’s hands as they traded leg kicks early in the round. Marshall clinched Stann against the fence, then created some space and began unloading bombs. Stann deflected most shots and fired back, grazing Marshall with a right then dropping him to the canvas with a perfectly landed left hook to the chin. Stann followed up with strikes to his fallen opponent as the referee Herb Dean stepped in to end the fight, giving Stann a TKO victory and the Light Heavyweight title.
Fight grade: 4/5
This was the first WEC event I watched that did not feature any 135-lbs or 145-lbs bouts, which was disappointing as these are the only divisions in WEC with truly world-class talent. The main event delivered, and having an active duty Marines officer as their title holder is sure to generate a lot of publicity for WEC. However their 205 division is rather barren, and there is no clear contender for Stann’s title in the organization.
On the positive side, announcer Craig Hummer (of UFC 55 fame) did a much better job with post-fight interviews than Mir has in previous broadcasts.