WEC will hold its first event in San Diego on January 25th, which will be broadcast for free on the Versus network.
Jamie Varner will defend his lightweight title against Donald Cerrone in the headlining fight. Also on the main card will be a rematch between Urijah Faber and Jens Pulver to determine the #1 contender for the featherweight championship.
The following is a short examination of the main card of WEC 38.
Jamie Varner Vs. Donald Cerrone
Varner(15 - 2)(1 NC) is the current lightweight champion of the WEC winning the belt at WEC 32 by defeating Rob McCullough via TKO (Strikes) in the 3rd round. Since then he has defended his belt against Marcus Hicks at WEC 35 also defeating Hicks by TKO (Strikes) in the 1st round.
The majority of Varener's victories come by way a submission, those that don't are by TKO. His last fight to go to decision was in 2003.
Cerrone(9 - 0)(1 NC) is the undefeated contender for the lightweight championship. He recently defeated Rob McCullough by Unanimous Decision in a violent match at WEC 36.
Cerrone is the 2006 United States S1 Muay Thai Champion and as the previous video showed he has excellent striking skills. Yet his training with Greg Jackson's Submission Fighting has led him to win all his matches but the McCullough bout by Submission.
Prediction: Cerrone by TKO
Cerrone stand up game is too good for Varner and if it goes to the ground Cerrone will chose to Ground and Pound to a victory. Varner can't really take Cerrone to the ground and his stand up won't stand a chance against him, so the title will switch hands this night.
Urijah Faber Vs. Jens Pulver
Faber(21 - 2), known as the California Kid, is the premiere featherweight MMA fighter. He has been #1 on Sherdog's top featherweight rankings for as long as I can remember. Only recently dropping to #2 after he suffered a loss to Mike Brown at WEC 36 where he lost his WEC featherweight championship.
The California Kid is one of the quickest and versatile fighters in the cage. He darts in and out of people's range to deliver a variety of kicks and punches. When he scored knock downs he pounces immediately and when he is mounted he often wiggles his way out of it. Fabers speed and agility ave made him a force, and the chin on this featherweight has made him a force that's hard to stop.
Pulver(21 - 10 - 1) is the former UFC lightweight champion. He successfully defended his title against BJ Penn at UFC 35, but soon after the UFC erased it's lightweight division. After that Pulver did some boxing, fought in IFL and overseas at PRIDE. Then UFC brought back the lightweight division and Pulver rejoined the UFC. Unfortunately he lost in his return bout and then lost to BJ Penn after coaching The Ultimate Fighter 5.
After his loss to Penn, Pulver announced he would drop weight and fight in the featherweight division of the WEC. After submitting Cub Swanson at WEC 31, Pulver fought Urijah Faber for the title at WEC 34. The match went the distance with neither fighter able to finish the other. For the first time in the WEC a Faber match went to the judges. Pulver lost by unanimous decision as the judges scored the bout 50-45, 50-44, 50-44 in favor of Faber.
Pulver is a great boxer and wrestler. His takedown defense was able to stop Penn and he was even able to counter takedowns with his own.
Prediction: Faber by TKO
Urijah Faber has alot to prove in this match. First of all he needs to prove he deserves a title shot again, so he can reclaim the title the world was shocked he lost. Second he needs to prove that he can finish Pulver. He will prove himself in this battle.
There you have it the 2 main events at a glance. They will definitely be worth watching, and I shall be there live! Expect some dope pictures next week.
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