WEC 47: Brian Bowles vs. Dominick Cruz
Big Names Go Down at WEC 47
By Edward Pollard
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Brian Bowles (left) vs. Dominick Cruz
(Photos courtesy of Josh Hedges/Zuffa)
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The Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio, was the setting for the latest offering of the Ultimate Fighting Championship’s little brother, World Extreme Cagefighting, which presented WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz live and on the much-discussed Versus channel. Those of us who were unable to attend the event, which was comfortably nestled within this year’s Arnold Sports Festival, much like the UFC was last year, had to hope we knew someone with a cable or satellite provider that carried it. As of this coming weekend, Versus will only be available as part of a premium sports package. So, unless you already have something that includes it, you’ll have to pony up a few more bucks if you want continued access to the excellent caliber of mixed martial arts offered by the WEC. Here’s proof positive of what I’m talking about.
Undefeated featherweight Brian Bowles faced a tough contender in Dominick Cruz, who sported a 14-1 record and numerous TKO/KO finishes. Though Bowles was able to go on the attack, Cruz got the better of the action, putting Bowles to the mat several times in two rounds. There were crisp exchanges between the two, but Cruz was in control and more the aggressor throughout. The ringside doctor stopped the bout after the second round. Bowles had apparently broken his right hand early in the first round and did not answer the bell for the third, so he ceded his championship belt to Cruz.
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| Joseph Benavidez (left) surprised the taller Miguel Torres in the second round with a slicing elbow and some excellent ground work, countering Torres’ armbar attempt with a guillotine for the submission finish after two minutes 57 seconds. |
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| Wearing his trademark pink trunks, Javier Vasquez (left) punished Jens Pulver on the ground with punches to his head and ear. Missing a rear-naked choke, Vasquez nevertheless adjusted positions and secured an armbar for the win after three minutes 41 seconds. This was a tough loss for Pulver, who has been trying to regain his old form. |
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| L.C. Davis (left) won a majority decision over Deividas Taurosevicius. |
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| Bart Palaszewski (bottom) submitted Karen Darabedyan with an armbar after four minutes 40 seconds. |
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| Scott Jorgensen (right) defeated Chad George with a vicious guillotine choke after only 31 seconds. |
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| Chad Mendes (top) won a unanimous decision over Erik Koch. |
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| Anthony Pettis (right) flattened Danny Castillo with a left shin to the face after taking a hard shot to the groin. As a result, Castillo did not escape the first round. I can’t think of a better form of sporting revenge in the cage. |
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| Leonard Garcia (left) and George Roop fought to a draw. |
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| Fredson Paixao defeated Courtney Buck with a rear-naked choke after two minutes 39 seconds. |
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| Ricardo Lamas knocked Bendy Casimir out with a flying knee strike after three minutes 43 seconds. |
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