WEC 52 Results And Coverage

Added on Nov 12, 2010 by John Petit in

UFC & MMA

WEC 52 took place last night in front of a sold out crowd at the Pearl at the Palms Resort. The event was as high paced as you would expect from a WEC event. This was the second to last WEC event in history, and the fighters were fighting like their UFC lives depended on it. Below is a how the main card played out, and the quick results for the whole event.

Urijah Faber vs Takeya Mizugaki

The question on everyones mind was how would Faber react to the weight cut as he was fighting at 135lbs for the first time since his college wrestling days. He looked great, and was putting pressure on Takeya from almost the first second of the fight. He was coming forward almost the whole time, and was landing some solid shots on Mizugaki. Mizugaki was able to clinch with him against the fence, but Faber reversed it. They traded some shots and Takeya was getting the worst of it. He made a mistake, and Faber was able to take his back. After some hand fighting, it seemed like Mizugaki would survive the round, as he was standing with Faber on his back. Takeya went to the floor, for whatever reason, and it seemed to make the choke attempt easier for Faber. Faber sunk in the rear naked choke, and won the fight with ten seconds left.

(Note: Some are saying Referee Josh Rosenthol let the fight go on too long. Mizugaki rolled and his face was covered, so no one could see it, and that made it hard to tell if he was out or not. While he did look scary when they stopped the fight, he wasn’t even close to being in any danger. Ive seen fighters convulsing after long chokes, and it actually takes minutes of holding chokes to cause real damage to the brain. Rosenthol was a victim of positioning, and the cage. I have no problem with the stoppage.)

Urijah Faber Def. Takeya Mizugaki Round 1, 4:50

Chad Mendes vs Javier Vazquez

The first round I believe belonged to Javier. He did get taken down, but he was very busy off his back, and constantly throwing strikes and working rubber guard. Mendez didn’t really have a chance to do any real ground and pound, or attempt a submission, because he was being controlled. The second and third round were similar to the first, but Mendez was bing much more controlling. He was able to land some ground and pound, and take Vazquez out of his game. It was a smothering performance for Chad, and he was able to get the easy unanimous decision.

Chad Mendes Def. Javier Vazquez by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Eric Koch vs. Franciso Rivera

Eric Koch was supposed to fight Josh Grispi, but two weeks ago Grispi got the call he would be fighting for the title on January first in the UFC. Rivera made his WEC debut on 2 weeks notice to fight a likely future contender. The fight was all Koch, and from the get go he was relentless in going after Rivera. He connected with a beautiful head kick that was pure “shin-to-jaw” that dropped Rivera. Koch finished him off with hammer strikes just over a minute into round one. It earned him the Knock out of the night award, and a cool ten grand.

Erik Koch Def. Francisco Rivera via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:36

Joseph Benavidez vs Wagnney Fabiano

The first round was Benavidez putting pressure on Fabiano. Joesph was coming forward, and connecting heavy kicks on Fabiano. Fabiano was fighting back, and keeping up, but clearly lost the first round. The second round went to the floor, and almost the entire time Fabiano spent protecting his neck. Fabiano used his BJJ prowess to get out of two chokes, but the third time was the charm, and Fabiano was forced to tap in the second.

Joseph Benavidez Def. Wagnney Fabiano via Submission (Guillotine Choke) Round 2, 2:45

Damacio Page vs Demetrious Johnson

This was a back and forth affair that was a treat to watch. The first round was all Page who had some beautiful take downs, including a perfect slam, and he was controlling the whole round. Johnson did manage to grab a guillotine, but Page was able to get to his feet and loosen the choke. The second round was Johnson coming forward and connecting with heavy kicks and punches. He was even able to land a solid slam take down of his own. Both fighters came out to try to win the fight in the third. Both men come out firing, but a knee from Johnson finds its mark and sent Page reeling backward. Johnson chases him down and lands a solid kick to a hunched-over Page. Johnson worked inside of Page’s half guard and got a hold of his neck. He rolled over and it tighten the choke. Page was forced to tap.

Demetrious Johnson beat Damacio Page by guillotine choke Round 3,2:27

Full Results-WEC 52

Urijah Faber Def. Takeya Mizugaki Round 1, 4:50

Chad Mendes Def. Javier Vazquez by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)

Erik Koch Def. Francisco Rivera via TKO (strikes) – Round 1, 1:36

Joseph Benavidez Def. Wagnney Fabiano via Submission (Guillotine Choke) Round 2, 2:45

Demetrious Johnson beat Damacio Page by guillotine choke Round 3, 2:27

Raphael Assuncao def L.C. Davis by 3 rd unanimous dec (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Yves Jabouin def. Brandon Visher via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Cub Swanson def. Mackens Semerzier via split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28) (Shown on broadcast)
Michael McDonald def. Clint Godfrey via submission (armbar) – Round 1, 2:42
Dustin Poirier def. Zack Micklewright via TKO (punches) – Round 1, 0:53
Anthony Njokuani def. Edward Faaloloto via TKO (strikes) – Round 2, 4:54