As the WEC has now merged with the UFC, who ever wins the two titles on the line tonight will be the last to every hold that belt. In the bantamweight fight, the winner also becomes the first bantamweight Champion in the UFC. In addition to featherweight, this is another new weight class being added to the UFC, these guys fight at 135 pounds. Unfortunately there were only two fights televised so I haven't gotten to know a lot of the new fighters that will be joining the UFC but the two fights they did show were awesome. Joe Rogan is announcing these fights but I definitely miss his partner in crime Mike Goldberg, I don't like this Todd Harris' voice
Dominik Cruz (champion) vs. Scott Jorgensen - bantamweight Championship
Not at the same level but this fight reminded me of GSPs most recent fight against Josh Koscheck. Jorgensen was hurt in the first round and the rest of the fight his right eye just got bigger and bigger. Cruz wasn't able to finish the fight but kept pushing all five rounds. He did not let up. Even into the later rounds Cruz was still moving extremely well and landing amazing combinations. Cruz looked a lot like the boxers I have seen fight. He was very aggressive putting together good, fast combinations. He does fight with his hands very low though. I'm not sure how anyone else in the division fights but I can't imagine that ever being a good habit to have. He was bobbing and weaving a lot to avoid punches and was able to get out of the way for a lot of them while still being able to get in and throw very precise strikes of his own. He wasn't just a boxer though, he was definitely great on the mat. He got a big takedown in the second round and landed some rough elbows to Jorgensen's face and hard strikes to his body. Cruz landed an impressive right at the beginning of the third round that knocked Jorgensen down. He also consistently landed really hard leg kicks. The last two rounds were more of the same. 2 or 3 punch combinations finished with a big leg kick or kick to the body throughout the fight, Cruz completely dominated. Dominik Cruz won the unanimous decision 50-45 from all three judges and is the last ever WEC Bantamweight Champion and first ever UFC Bantamweight Champion. A big night for the kid adding to his 17-1 mma record. In his post fight interview he was very humble and well-spoken. Thanking everyone and looking forward to a fight against Urijah Faber (an extremely well known WEC fighter, 24-4 record and the only fighter he has ever lost to).
Ben Henderson (champion) vs. Anthony Pettis - lightweight Championship
Unlike the bantamweight fight, who ever wins this championship will not take over Frankie Edgar's place in the UFC but I have a pretty good idea that will put them high in the ranks for the next title shot. You can tell these guys know what's on the line, they were super intense, got right in each other's faces when ref Herb Dean was going over the rules. Pettis has some attitude, he did not touch gloves when the fight started and when Henderson had him up against the fence and was landing knees he motioned like he was yawning! I can see why the announcers were calling
Watch the ninja move on youtube >>click here<<
If this is a preview of what the WEC is bringing to the table I am definitely looking forward to the merge. Both fights went the distance but were exciting the whole time. I'm sorry I didn't start watching it sooner.
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