A look back at WEC's Dec. 12 event - Fight Forum - MMA - UFC - Boxing - K1

jdogresorg · 12-14-2007, 11:07 AM

Read Full Article

World Extreme Cagefighting 31 taught us many things about the WEC, the fighters themselves, and the Versus-WEC production. But most of all, the event proved the WEC is now a major player with a Zuffa-fueled hype machine rivaling all other promotions except the UFC. The production quality is top notch and the fights themselves are worthy of its growing television audience.

Here's what we learned:

No. 1: Urijah Faber rocks!

Face it. There were a ton of questions surrounding Faber before this fight. He had won his fights easily, but sometimes against mediocre competition. Plus, Faber’s wild style tends to put him in trouble and a technician like Jeff Curran was exactly the type of fighter to take advantage of that shortcoming. Curran did take advantage, but Faber proved to be more than a blonde Tasmanian devil. He successfully defended chokes from one of the best in the business and then submitted the submitter. His no-feet-on-the-floor knee was something most people can’t do standing against a wall, let alone with a fighter hanging on them. Some questioned whether he deserved to the poster boy for the WEC. No one questions that now.

Read Full Article

subgenius · 12-14-2007, 11:23 AM

I have to agree. That was an excellent event. I enjoyed all of the matches. Well, I was a bit upset about the outcome of Filho-Chonnen. I did not think that Chonnen tapped or verbally submitted. Maybe the referee thought that he did. Anyway, it seemed like a BS outcome. I think that Chonnen deserves a rematch. He fought hard and really beat the crap out of Filho standing. It really looked like Chonnen was on his way to win the fight. I guess it could be argued that Chonnen would never have escaped that armbar.

MTKrav911 · 12-15-2007, 07:53 PM

BTW Zuffa owns The WEC bro in case you missed the news.

kbtat2 · 12-15-2007, 08:09 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by subgenius

Well, I was a bit upset about the outcome of Filho-Chonnen. I did not think that Chonnen tapped or verbally submitted. Maybe the referee thought that he did. Anyway, it seemed like a BS outcome. I think that Chonnen deserves a rematch. He fought hard and really beat the crap out of Filho standing. It really looked like Chonnen was on his way to win the fight. I guess it could be argued that Chonnen would never have escaped that armbar.

I though the ref should have let it go just a bit longer. I don't really blame him but the angle that Chonnen's arm was he had a few more seconds, I think, to try to get out of it.
From the ref's angle it might have looked like his arm was really, really hyper extended when it really wasn't.

Malf · 12-17-2007, 01:25 AM

I was drooling in anticipation for this event, and it did not disappoint. I just wish Curran would have sunk the choke in on Faber. I don't dislike Faber, I've just been a fan of The Big Frog for a while. Well, at least Urijah got pushed, and we know he's the real deal.

It's nice to see that people are realizing the WEC is no joke, something us hardcore MMA fans already knew. Now let's get Mayhem Miller back in the mix and crank it up a notch!

EliteXC had better watch out. They wanna compete with UFC, and I'm not convinced that they're even a better oranization than WEC.

Beazt · 12-17-2007, 08:56 AM

I would have to say this was one of the best MMA events I had seen all year. I had never seen a live WEC event and was reeled in because of Jens. Who also had a good fight.

I have seen Faber fight before but thought he would be demolished by any real competition (i.e. UFC), but I definitely don't think that anymore. He would be a legitimate threat to anyone, even at 155.

Overall this card was right up there with the TUF Finale. One of the best of the year.

Gygax · 12-17-2007, 09:21 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by kbtat2

I though the ref should have let it go just a bit longer. I don't really blame him but the angle that Chonnen's arm was he had a few more seconds, I think, to try to get out of it.
From the ref's angle it might have looked like his arm was really, really hyper extended when it really wasn't.

I think the arm angle from the ref's position as well as Chael screaming is what did it. They didn't want Frank Mir-Tim Sylvia moment.

BTW, is Chonnen a nickname or something? His name is Chael Sonnen.

I think Faber would be very competitive at 155 in the UFC but never quite make top contender status. He's simply too small. He wrestled 133 in college and makes 145 with no problems at all. I'd be willing to bet he walks around at 155. He was definitely not bigger than Curran and he'll be smaller than Pulver when he matches up with him.

And as some know, that's coming from one of the bigger Faber fans on this site.

subgenius · 12-17-2007, 11:43 AM

I keep calling him Chonnen, LOL. That's my brainfart. I was typing too fast and just mashed his name from CHael sONNEN down to just "Chonnen" LOL. Either that, or I had Ryo Chonan in my head when I was typing. LOL. Whichever.

Seriously, I like Cheal Sonnen. His fight with bablu was cool. And, I liked his three fights with jeremy Horn, despite Sonnen losing all three fights. I think that Sonnen showed that he can beat a guy as good as Filho.

I wish that referee had waited a few more seconds to see if Sonnen was able to twist or power out of that armbar. I know that it was a slim chance, but I felt that it deserved that chance. then again, I do admit that it would have sucked for Cheal Sonnen to have had his arm broken.