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As promised, I am live and in living color
at WEC 46 tonight in Sacramento, covering for Examiner. The
preliminary fights were exciting, with Will Campuzano vs. Coty
Wheeler stealing the first part of the card. There’s a good crowd in
attendance, and the atmosphere is great. Here are the quick results
for the prelim fights
By Phil Lanides
• Will Campuzano (7-1) defeated Coty “Ox” Wheeler (10-3) by
unanimous decision
• Eddie Wineland (16-6-1) defeated George Roop (10-6) by unanimous
decision
• Mark “The Machine” Hominick (17-8) defeated Brian Caraway (14-4)
by tapout due to an arm-triangle armbar at 3:48 of the 1st round
• Wagnney Fabiano (13-2) defeated Clint Godfrey (11-3) by unanimous
decision
• Charlie Valencia (12-5) defeated Akitoshi “Ironman” Tamura
(14-8-2) by split-decision
Campuzano made a huge impression, as did Wheeler for taking the
amount of punishment he did. Great fight, and Campuzano made it
known he wants a rematch with Damacio Page. Wineland also dominated
the larger Roop, while Hominick just overwhelmed Caraway. Fabiano’s
win was pretty lackluster, but needed, and the Valencia-Tamura
battle was very entertaining. Extremely close, and I felt like
Tamura should have gotten the nod. Now we’re onto the main card.
Here is a rundown of my reactions as the fights happen and the
results, along with my predictions:
• First fight: Deividas Taurosevicius vs. Mackens “Mack da
Menace” Semerzier
o 1st round: Almost immediately, Tauro (my abbreviation for
his ridiculously long name) goes for the clinch. Semer (my
abbreviation for him) fights it, but gives up a big slam. Tauro is
stuck in half-guard, then gets maneuvered to full-guard, and finally
to standing. He avoids the up-kicks, then falls into the guard of
Semer. He passes to side mount, and attempts to work some ground and
pound. Semer locks in his guard, and Tauro stands up. Semer ends up
on his feet, and we’re back to the fisticuffs. Both fighters look
pretty loose and confident in this position. They trade, and Tauro
gets the clinch. Another big slam, and Tauro is in Semer’s
full-guard. The ref is pretty impatient, and stands them. Semer
looks a lot like the Phillies’ Ryan Howard in the face. I share that
opinion with the media around me, which gets some laughs. The horn
sounds, and it’s definitely a 10-9 round for the Lithuanian Tauro.
o 2nd round: Good leg-kicks from Semer. They’re trading, and Semer
lands a good flying knee. But Tauro weathers the storm, and gets a
takedown. His wrestling is the difference so far. He’s trying to
overwhelm his young opponent. He clinches from the back, and lifts
Semer high for a slam. Semer defends, and lands rather softly. He’s
in the butt-scoot position, and Tauro jumps into his full-guard.
He’s working the ground and pound, but not scoring with much.
Dropping some elbows, and lands a couple punches. He attempts to
pass to side-mount, but Semer isn’t having it. Tauro is determined
to get his position, and reaches side-mount. The bell sounds after a
good right elbow. 10-9 Tauro.
o 3rd round: Semer seems determined to keep it standing, as he is
getting the better of the fight on the feet. Tauro, for his part,
wants it back on the ground. They’re trading, with Semer landing
some good shots. He really needs a finish to get a win here. He’s
too far behind to try for a decision win. Tauro shoots and Semer
gets a nasty chicken wing/kimura. Tauro rolls out and into an ankle
lock attempt. Semer gets out of it and stands. He’s trying to drop
some shots, and lands some good ones. But Tauro indicates he’s okay.
Semer gets into side-mount and tries to pass, but Tauro blocks it.
One minute left, and Semer is on his way to his first career loss.
He catches Tauro in a tight guillotine, but he gets out of it after
a moment of excitement. The horn sounds, and it should be a
unanimous decision win for Tauro.
Deividas Taurosevicius (12-3) defeats Mackens “Mack da
Menace” Semerzier (5-1) by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
- my prediction: Semerzier by submission (missed on that one)
• Second fight: Mike Thomas Brown vs. Anthony “Cheese Steak”
Morrison
o 1st round: Morrison is a huge underdog in this one, but
that’s always a dangerous proposition. He’s got nothing to lose.
Lots of boos for Brown as he comes out, but he takes it in stride.
He seems really pumped to get it going. Here we go. Touch of the
gloves, and both fighters seem a little hesitant to engage. Morrison
throws first, not really connecting. Brown appears to be waiting for
his shot. He throws his first strike almost a minute into the fight,
a wild right that misses. However, he gets the takedown and passes
to a crucifix almost right away. Brown gets out of it, but Brown
gets to full mount rather easily. Morrison gives up his back, and
Brown gets the rear naked choke. Morrison just doesn’t belong on the
mat with Brown. He taps, and it’s over. Brown gets the dominant win
he needs, and awaits the winner of Faber-Assuncao, as he’ll probably
fight the winner for a shot at Jose Aldo.
Mike Thomas Brown (23-5) defeats Anthony “Cheese Steak”
Morrison (15-7) by rear-naked choke at 1:54 of the 1st round - my
prediction: Brown by submission (got this one)
• Third fight: Dave “The Fugitive” Jansen vs. “The Prince of
Persia” Kamal Shalorus
o 1st round: Shalorus has huge legs for a fighter, which is
evidence of his world class wrestling background. His striking is
anything but world class, as evidenced by his wild strikes in the
first couple minutes of the round. So far, Jansen isn’t doing much
to exploit the weakness. He drops for a quick shoot, but Shalorus
defends easily. They continue to trade before Shalorus shoots in. He
gets the takedown, but Jansen stands back up. Shalorus lands a huge
1-2 combination, and cuts his opponent. Big “U-S-A” chant starts…ha.
Shalorus technical striking is not very good, but he’s got big
power, and he drops Jansen. He recovers, but “The Prince” lands a
big right hand to the chest. 10-9 Shalorus.
o 2nd round: Jansen looks a little weathered as we get the 2nd round
started. Neither fighter is trying to set anything up…they’re just
swinging for the fences. And mostly, they’re missing. Shalorus lands
a solid strike, and the crowd “Oohs…” Finally, the Olympic wrestler
gathers up Jansen’s legs and dumps him to the canvas. However, he
doesn’t appear to want to keep it there, and they end up back on the
feet. Now Jansen is bleeding from the forehead as well as the
eyebrow from earlier. And we’re back to swinging wildly. Jansen’s
cut doesn’t look too good…streaming blood. Shalorus is definitely
doing some really good damage to Jansen’s head. This one has KO
written all over it, but it’s apparently not happening in this
round. Another 10-9 round for Shalorus.
o 3rd round: Jansen needs the finish to win, and he comes out
swinging. He tries a shoot, but Shalorus rejects the advance.
Shalorus just seems like he can take more and dish out more than his
opponent. So far, it looks like Jansen is going to be the one to
take his first career loss. Shalorus hurts Jansen with a scrappy
uppercut combo, but doesn’t follow up. Jansen’s getting desperate.
Shalorus snatches a leg and takes Jansen down. Jansen fights him
off, however, and they’re back standing. Now Jansen is moving
forward as his head really starts to pour color. Shalorus gets
another takedown, and there’s a minute left. Jansen works his way
back to his feat, but it’s too late. 10-9 Shalorus. For some reason,
Jensen lifts his hands in victory.
“The Prince of Persia” Kamal Shalorus (6-0-1) defeats
Dave “The Fugitive” Jansen (14-1) by unanimous decision (30-27,
30-27, 29-28) - my prediction: Shalorus by TKO (right winner, wrong
finish)
There are a bunch of Sacramento Kings players here tonight, and they
are shown on camera to a big roar. They won 102-100 over the Denver
Nuggets last night.
• Fourth fight: “The California Kid” Urijah Faber vs.
Raphael Assuncao
o 1st round: Assuncao gets booed like he’s Obama at a
Southern Baptist convention. HUGE (positive) reaction for “The
California Kid” in his hometown…the roof almost lifted off Arco
Arena. Lots of pressure on him, but he’s been here before. This
place is electric. Feeling each other out a bit, and Assuncao gets
double-underhooks in a clinch against the cage. Faber reverses,
which is followed by a reversal from Assuncao. Faber pushes off, and
they’re back to a neutral standing position. Faber lands a good
shot, and they clinch against the cage again. Faber pushes him off,
throws a right hand and clinches against the cage. He’s digging his
right hand in for a takedown, but Assuncao utilizes the over-underhook
to get away. Back to standing again. Faber’s hands are VERY low.
It’s obvious that the Brazilian wants to keep in close quarters, as
he clinches again. The crowd starts chanting, “Faber, Faber, Faber!”
Flying knee attempt from “The California Kid” misses. They’re
trading punches, with neither getting the advantage, as the round
winds down. Hard to call, but probably 10-9 Assuncao. Could have
gone either way, though.
o 2nd round: Crowd is pumped for round 2. Faber shoots in and gets
the Brazilian down. He gets into full-guard and lands a good right
elbow. He’s not rally trying to pass, just trying to get in position
to land some ground and pound. Faber locks in a guillotine, and it
looks tight. Assuncao rolls, but Faber keeps it. He loses it, and
Assuncao stands back up. Faber lands a brutal right hand and drops
Assuncao. The crowd erupts, but Assuncao ties him up in order to
recover. He looks hurt, though. Faber is in his full-guard, and
Assuncao has recovered. One minute left. Faber lands another good
elbow. Both fighters are looking at the big screen to see how much
time is left. The horn sounds, and they touch gloves out of respect.
10-9 Faber.
o 3rd round: Close fight so far, but Faber appears to be coming on
stronger. The chant starts up again. Faber shoots in and finds
himself in Assuncao’s half-guard. They quickly stand, and Faber
grazes the Brazilian with a right hand. Assuncao shoots, and Faber
defends well. They are clinched against the cage. They disengage,
and Faber is looking for the KO. He nails Assuncao with a right
hand, dropping him again. Assuncao quickly recovers, and has Faber
in full-guard. With two minutes left, short of a finish, Faber’s got
it in the bag. Faber gets it to the ground, and locks in the
rear-naked choke. Assuncao defends, attempting to peel the arm off,
but to no avail. He taps out, and the crowd goes bananas.
“The California Kid” Urijah Faber (23-3) defeats Raphael
Assuncao (14-2) at 3:49 of the 3rd round by submission due to a
rear-naked choke - my prediction: Faber by decision (again, right
winner, wrong finish)
They bring in WEC Featherweight Champion Jose Aldo, and he shakes
hands with Faber. He says that no one will take his belt, and Faber
says he feels the belt is his. Mike Brown is in the mix, too, and
there are definitely some exciting matchups in the 145 lbs. division
coming up.
• Main event: WEC Lightweight Champion Jaime Varner vs. WEC
Interim Lightweight Champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson
o 1st round: Ha…Ben Henderson comes out to “Revolution” by
gospel artist Kirk Franklin. Apparently, he’s a Christian. Lots of
boos for Varner, who comes out to some hip hop song about
shot-callers. The crowd is not nearly as into this fight as they
were Faber’s. And, we’re off to the races. Nothing lands as the
fighters trade punches for thirty seconds. Varner picks up Henderson
and slams him on his back. Henderson rolls for a knee-bar attempt,
then gives it up and tries to get top position. Varner has him in a
front headlock, and is pushing Henderson against the cage. He cranks
it into a guillotine that looks very tight. He lifts Henderson up
off the ground with it, but he perseveres. Varner lands a big knee,
and Henderson drops. Varner’s throwing some knees while Henderson is
kneeling, but they’re all landing legally on the body. He holds onto
the headlock, and referee Herb Dean stands them. Early advantage for
Varner. Varner takes a poke to the eye and backs off. Dean doesn’t
see it, and Henderson rushes in. But Varner reverses position and
puts Henderson down on his knees again. They both stand, and they’re
clinched against the cage. They’re trading knees, and stay in that
position till the end of the round. They hug after the 1st round.
Good action, 10-9 Varner.
o 2nd round: Crowd’s pretty quiet. Seems like they left everything
out there for Faber. Good trading, and Varner’s starting to get
loose and cocky. He says something to Henderson after they trade
shin kicks. Henderson refuses the bait, and tries to press the
action. They’re mostly kicking at this point. Lots of posturing.
Varner rushes forward but doesn’t connect. He misses the high kick,
but lands a low kick. Crowd’s getting a little restless at the lack
of sustained action. Henderson nails Varner with a front kick at the
end of a combo. Varner grabs him and shucks him to the ground. They
stand, and Henderson shoots in. Varner defends and presses his
opponent against the cage. They’re clinched against the cage now.
The horn sounds, and it’s another round for Varner, 10-9.
o 3rd round: Good right hand from Henderson starts off the third.
They clinch against the cage again, and Henderson pushes off. Crowd
is really starting to call for more action, though the fighters are
showing it. More pawing and posturing, however, and the crowd
doesn’t like it. Henderson’s winning this round so far. What the
heck? Henderson locks up a tight guillotine, and Varner quickly
taps. That came out of nowhere! Henderson is the undisputed WEC
Lightweight Champion. Varner tries to leave after hugging Henderson,
but WEC head honcho Reed Harris chased him down. Henderson thanks
God, and the crowd boos Varner.
WEC Lightweight Champion Benson “Smooth” Henderson
(11-1) defeats Jaime Varner (16-3) at 2:41 of the 3rd round by
submission due to a guillotine choke - my prediction: Varner by KO
(got it wrong)
It was a great night of fights. An excited Sacramento crowd that
showed up en masse for their hero, Urijah Faber, and went home
happy. Ben Henderson also goes home the undisputed WEC Lightweight
Champion. Look for more of reaction later.
For more from
Phil Lanides check out
http://www.examiner.com/x-9970-San-Jose-MMA-Examiner
http://www.fightofyourlife.com/
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