411’s MMA Roundtable Preview: W.E.C. 35

Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.01.2008

Three big title matches highlight the latest WEC card!



WELCOME:
Welcome back to another edition of 411's MMA Roundtable Preview! It is an insanely busy time in the world of MMA, and this week the WEC takes center stage Sunday night as they bring us WEC 35! THREE big title matches will highlight WEC 35, but can WEC continue to deliver as they have with their events? Let's meet the staff and break down the complete card!


THE STAFF:

The Cardio Freak himself, Jeremy Lambert!

From the Fighting Stance News Report Adam Tool!

WEC, UFC and PRIDE TV reported Jonathan Solomon!

The Ground and Pound's John Curry!

Finally I am your humble editor, Larry Csonka!




W.E.C. 35: The Undercard
Brock Larson (21-1) vs. Carlo Prater (22-6-1)
Jeremy Lambert: Why isn't this fight on the main card? These guys are two of the best welterweights in the WEC and although they've both lost to Condit, I think they could give him a run for his money if matched up again. I expect this to be a fun ground battle with Larson pulling out the victory.

Winner: Larson, Decision

Adam Tool: Carlo Prater is desperate for redemption in the WEC cage, after his previous appearance saw him get choked out by the man at the top of the card, Carlos Condit. He's not going to have an easy time on Sunday, as Brock Larson is an aggressive opponent with some excellent ground skills. Larson's also likely to have an edge in the stand-up, so I see him flooring Prater early before getting the tap out win.

Winner: Brock Larson, Submission, Round 1

Jonathan Solomon: You lose one fight in the past year and you find yourself on the under card. Well, both men have great records and are known for their tenacity. Prater's past few victories (all outside WEC) have went the distance while Larson has finished his most recent fights. Have to go with the finisher.

Winner: Brock Larson, Submission, Round 2

John Curry: Brock Larson is a beast. The guy goes into the cage with the intention of killing his opponent. Unfortunately for Prater, Larson is fully capable of making sure that he finishes this fight either on the ground or on his feet. While many people will probably give Larson the win by submission here, I am going to have to go with the guy who will be facing the winner of the Condit/Miura fight….

Winner: Brock Larson, TKO, Round 1

Larry Csonka: Shit Brock Larson can't buy his way onto the main card these days! Since losing his title to Condit he is 2-0 and looking to regain that title. I say he dominated here and hopefully we'll get Larson vs. Condit II.

Winner: Brock Larson, TKO, RD3


Blas Avena (4-1) vs. Dave Terrel (5-1)
Jeremy Lambert: Blas has a suspect chin, Terrel has good power. Neither guy is great but Terrel trains at Xtreme Couture, which means you should probably bet on him. Could be a quick knockout or a really boring fight.

Winner: Terrel, TKO, Round 1

Adam Tool: Terrel is coming off of a 16 month layoff from the sport, while Avena has fought three times since then. Cage rust might be a factor but it's also worth noting that Terrel is training at Xtreme Couture, and they usually come up with a winning game plan.

Winner: Dave Terrel, TKO, Round 3

Jonathan Solomon: These two wrestlers have strong ground games. However, from what we have seen, Terrel is the better striker. Look for Avena to try to take this to the ground while Terrel may prefer to stand and trade blows. However, if it does get to the ground, we'll see who is the stronger man.

Winner: Blas Avena, Decision

John Curry: I really hate trying to pick a fight between a guy who hasn't fought in forever and a guy who fights too often. There are far too many variables here that could influence the outcome of the fight. While it is my opinion, that ring rust is harder to shake off than over fighting, especially considering the pace at which this sport is growing. However, if anyone would be able to force the rust off quickly it would be the guys down at Xtreme Couture.

Winner: Dave Terrel, TKO, Round 3

Larry Csonka: I have to admit, I have nothing to offer here. I am just torn and will flip the coin.

Winner: Blas Avena, Decision


Kenji Osawa (13-7-1) vs. Scott Jorgensen (4-1)
Jeremy Lambert: This fight is going to a decision. Osawa has rounded skills, Jorgensen is a wrestler, and you tell me what's going to happen. Osawa is a tough guy to finish, which means Jorgensen is going to take him down, hold him there, and get the decision.

Winner: Jorgensen, Decision

Adam Tool: Osawa's record in the last three years is a dismal 3-4-2. Of those nine fights, eight went to a decision. The point is, he's not a terribly exciting fighter. Jorgensen has also gone to the judges in his last three fights, so I'm putting even money on this one not making the main broadcast. As for the winner, I'll leave that decision to the quarter in my pocket.

Winner: Scott Jorgenson, Decision

Jonathan Solomon: Jorgensen's last three fights have gone to a decision. He is a strong wrestler but he has not been able to do much in terms of finishing once he goes to the ground. That's unlike his early career two years ago when he finished two fights with a submission. Osawa is a striker first but he is supposedly a more complete fighter these days. We'll find out here.

Winner: Scott Jorgensen, Decision

John Curry: ZZZZZZZZZZZZzzzzzzzzzzzzz….Oh I'm sorry, I fell asleep thinking about this fight. Two fighters who prefer to lay and hug each other for three rounds, rather than try to end the fight early means that we have only one option…

Winner: Scott Jorgenson, Decision

Larry Csonka: This should be the ground battle of the night as we get some prime hump and bump action. Jorgenson should control the takedown game and maintain enough control to take the unspectacular bout.

Winner: Scott Jorgenson, Decision


Greg McIntyre (5-2) vs. Mike Budnik (6-0)
Jeremy Lambert: Budnik is undefeated so he obviously hasn't faced the right guys. I don't think McIntyre is the right guy. Both guys have submission skills with Budnik having the better stand up. Budnik will stay undefeated until he faces someone with real skills.

Winner: Budnik, Submission, Round 2

Adam Tool: This one is hard to call. Both fighters will be making their debuts in the WEC and they will no doubt be looking to impress. McIntyre will have the edge in experience, but otherwise these two look to be pretty evenly matched. I think Budnik could be a big deal someday, and I like him to remain undefeated here.

Winner: Mike Budnik, Submission, Round 2

Jonathan Solomon: Both men are newcomers to WEC, with solid records from the outside. Both men have a history of finding the submissions so I'm expecting a ground war. Budnik is undefeated, so I'll go with him.

Winner: Mike Budnik, Submission, Round 1

John Curry: This isn't as hard to call as everyone is making it. McIntyre was beaten by Nuri Shakir, who is one of the worst fighters ever, he is 19-19. If you get beaten by someone like that and then you fight someone who is undefeated, chances are you're going home a loser.

Winner: Mike Budnik, Submission, Round 2

Larry Csonka: McIntyre could cause a lot of problems for the undefeated Budnick. This is a step up for both men and the winner will have gotten an important victory here. This could be some fun groundwork, and I feel that whoever wins does do it by submission.

Winner: Greg McIntyre, SUB, RD2


Shane Roller (3-1) vs. Todd Moore (9-1)
Jeremy Lambert: Todd Moore is a good little fighter who lost a decision to John Alessio in his last fight. This could be a fun stand up battle until someone falls.

Winner: Moore, TKO, Round 1

Adam Tool: Roller is a former amateur wrestler, and will be looking to take this one down in order to get the ground and pound TKO. Moore will probably try to keep this one on the feet, but I don't think he'll be too successful. This one could really go either way though.

Winner: Shane Roller, TKO, Round 1

Jonathan Solomon: Moore has great conditioning and lost a real close fight to John Alessio in December. He returns here against Shane Roller. Roller has three wins (all outside WEC) against opponents who combined, have zero wins.

Winner: Todd Moore, TKO, Round 1

John Curry: Moore didn't look too bad against Alessio at the Faber vs. Pulver event, when he lost by decision. Roller is a ground and pound seeker who could possible succeed but I have to go with experience here.

Winner:Todd Moore, Submission, Round 2

Larry Csonka: Todd Moore has the conditioning and has faced off with better opponents. While he didn't fair well his last time out I look for him to impress here to get back on the winning track.

Winner: Todd Moore, STRIKES, RD1

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W.E.C. 35: The Main TV Card
Brian Bowles (5-0) vs. Damacio Page (9-3)
Jeremy Lambert: Bowles is an undefeated guy who has faced some decent fighters like Charlie Valencia. Page trains with Greg Jackson, which means he'll beat a lot of guys but will never get over the hump. Should be a really fun ground battle with the winner probably facing the greatest fighter in the world, Miguel Torres.

Winner: Bowles, Decision

Adam Tool: Page a.k.a. "The Angel Of Death," gets bonus points for having the coolest nickname on the card. However right now I wouldn't want to be Brian Bowles' opponent. The guy has already racked up two impressive wins in the WEC, and I don't see much reason why he shouldn't plow through Page here.

Winner: Brian Bowles, TKO, Round 1

Jonathan Solomon: This could turn into a striking war between both undefeated (in WEC) fighters. Page wasn't hurt by Scott Jorgensen's great wrestling ability so I don't the ground game will come into play for this fight. A lot of people like Bowles and feel he is one of the top 135-pounders.

Winner: Brian Bowles, TKO, Round 2

John Curry: Everyone thinks that Bowles is the next big thing in the lightweight division but I think Page is someone that people are overlooking. He is a tough as nails fighter who feels that he has to prove himself every fight. I think this will be a challenge for both fighters but I see the end result being…

Winner: Damacio Page, TKO, Round 2

Larry Csonka: I have to go with Curry here. Page is completely overlooked and has this never say die attitude that makes him a dangerous fighter. Bowles is 5-0 and everything points to him getting the win, but sometimes the "O must go."

Winner: Damacio Page, Decision


Josh Grispi (10-1) vs. Micah Miller (9-1)
Jeremy Lambert: Micah Miller is the better of the Miller brothers and when he wins this fight, he'll probably fight Faber. Both guys are well rounded and this should be a really fun fight.

Winner: Miller, Submission, Round 2

Adam Tool: After Cole Miller's impressive showing against Jorge Gurgel last month, the task now falls to his younger brother to follow it up. Much like the Diaz brothers, there are a lot of similarities between Cole and Micah Miller. Both guys have decent striking and long limbs, but they prefer to wage war on the ground. Grispi should be comfortable no matter where this one goes, and he has been near unstoppable so far. This could honestly end up either way, and it should be an exciting fight no matter what. As for your winner, I think Miller could pull this one out.

Winner: Micah Miller, Submission, Round 2

Jonathan Solomon: A battle of lanky fighters with Miller standing at 6'0 and Grispi at 5'11. Grispi looked tremendous against a smaller Mark Hominich but can he have the same success versus a taller fighter? Miller's long limbs have always aided him on the ground. I see this one ending in a submission, one way or another.

Winner: Micah Miller, Submission, Round 3

John Curry: Okay, every single freaking time I pick against a Miller they win. They make me look bad and end up showing that I should have picked them to begin with. So this time I am going against my better nature and picking a freaking Miller for no other reason that I know if I don't they will win.

Winner: Micah Miller, Submission, Round 1

Larry Csonka: This is a fight that should have some title implications as they both possess great records. I will go with the panel and agree that Miller takes the bout, and looks to face Faber is he retains after WEC 36.

Winner: Miller, SUB, RD2


WEC Light Heavyweight Title Bout:
Brian Stann © (4-0) vs. Steve Cantwell (4-1)
Jeremy Lambert: Brian Stann is undefeated, Cantwell has one loss in his career and it was against Stann. If it stays standing, Stann is going to knock him out again. Cantwell's only chance is to get this fight to the ground. I don't think it gets to the ground and this one ends pretty quickly.

Winner: Stann, TKO, Round 1

Adam Tool: Really? I mean, I know Steve Cantwell is a good fighter, but is the WEC's light heavyweight division so barren that we need to see these two hook-up again? Their first meeting was a little over a year ago, and I hardly doubt that anything has changed since then. Stann still hits like a freight train, and I don't think Cantwell is going to be able to get this fight to the ground to get a submission. Second verse, same as the first.

Winner and STILL light heavyweight champion: Brian Stann, TKO, Round 1

Jonathan Solomon: Stann beat Cantwell last year and since then, Cantwell has reeled off two straight wins. Stann has looked nothing short of dominant in WEC, never leaving the first round. His great run will continue after this fight. On the WEC site, Cantwell says his strength is, "I'm very well rounded." Too bad, he won't be able to showcase those well-rounded skills in two-three minutes.

Winner: Brian Stann RETAINS, TKO, Round 1

John Curry: This is the 2nd meeting and without having to go into much detail it will end just the same as the first time and honestly I don't see Cantwell being the first to push Stann out of the first round.

Winner and STILL light heavyweight champion: Brian Stann, TKO, Round 1

Larry Csonka: Did you know Brian Stann was a Marine? If not WEC will hit you over the head with that fact Sunday night. All joking aside Stan has been may only be 6-0, but he has been a wrecking machine in those 6 fights, going around 11-minutes total and (T)KOing all opponents in round one. I do not see that changing here.

Winner: Brian Stann, STRIKES, RD1


WEC Lightweight Title Bout:
Jamie Varner © (13-2-1) vs. Marcus Hicks (6-0)
Jeremy Lambert: Is it just me or does Marcus Hicks look like a Mini Marvin Eastman? Anyway, this should be another really fun ground battle. If it stays standing, I think Varner holds the edge with his quick striking. If it lasts a significant amount time, this will probably be the fight of the night.

Winner: Varner, Submission, Round 3

Adam Tool: I would have to think that Jamie Varner couldn't be happier with the decision to move from the UFC to the WEC. If he was still in the big leagues he probably wouldn't even be fighting on the main cards, but in the WEC he's the new lightweight champion. That's not a knock on Varner, rather it's a testament to the depth of the UFC's 155 lbs. division. For his first title defense he's got a big task to overcome. Can he be the first man to beat Marcus Hicks? I don't think so. Hicks is one of the strongest guys currently competing at lightweight, and Varner will not want to stand with him for long. If this fight goes to the ground the edge has to go to the champion, but Hicks is certainly no slouch either. I'm hesitant to pick against Varner, since I did that last time and obviously it didn't go the way I figured. However I think we'll be crowning at least one new champion on Sunday, and I think that will be happening right here.

Winner and NEW lightweight champion: Marcus Hicks, TKO, Round 2

Jonathan Solomon: Hicks has won all of his WEC fights via submission. The last time Varner lost a fight in the WEC/UFC, it was via submission to Hermes Franca two years back. This should be a great fight between two aggressive fighters. Submission ends it, it will just be who can sink in a choke or get hold of an arm/leg first.

Winner: Jamie Varner RETAINS, Submission, Round 3

John Curry: Well Jamie Varner, I think that you kept the belt warm enough for Marcus Hicks and I am sure he appreciates it. Hicks is just an absolutely scary man. When I watch Hicks fight the guy scares me like a prostate exam from a guy with fat fingers. I don't think Varner will be able to stop Hicks from dominating him both on the ground and on his feet.

Winner and NEW lightweight champion: Marcus Hicks, TKO, Round 1

Larry Csonka: No disrespect to Jamie Varner here, but I have never been that impressed with him. Marcus Hicks has been a beast the last two times I have seen him and I think that he can dominate Varner and take the title. This could be a hell of a fight.

Winner: Marcus Hicks, SUB, RD2


WEC Welterweight Title Bout:
Carlos Condit © (21-4) vs. Hiromitsu Miura (7-3)
Jeremy Lambert: Carlos Condit is one of the top Welterweights not in the UFC. I'm not putting him on Jake Shields level but he's beaten some really tough guys and has looked impressive in doing so. Miura has some very good stand up but Condit's stand up is just as good. Condit is the better-rounded fighter and I think that leads him to victory.

Winner: Condit, Submission, Round 2

Adam Tool: It's the return of the "Natural Born Killer." Carlos Condit has been unstoppable since coming to the WEC early last year, winning all four of his fights by submission. One could argue that Miura will have the advantage in the stand-up game, but one should also not underestimate the striking of the champion. I really don't think this one will last too long, and I have to wonder if there's a welterweight in the WEC that can ever take the belt from Condit.

Winner and STILL welterweight champion: Carlos Condit, Submission, Round 1

Jonathan Solomon: Right next to Urijah Faber, Carlos Condit has been as dominant a champion in WEC as you can be. Miura is a solid fighter with a win over Jason Miller on his record. However, Condit is on such a roll right now, working those submissions and being effective on his feet. If this fight goes the distance, neither man will tire which should make for a great fight.

Winner: Carlos Condit RETAINS, Decision

John Curry: I am going to have to agree with my esteemed colleague Mr. Tool, and say I am not sure there is a welterweight in the WEC that can beat Condit. I most certainly guarantee you that if Miura wins here it's be pure happenstance.

Winner and STILL welterweight champion: Carlos Condit, Submission, Round 1

Larry Csonka: I totally agree with Curry and Tool that there may not be a Welterweight in the WEC that can match up skill wise with Condit. There is always a chance for him to lose but I just don't see Miura giving him that much of a challenge here. Condit retains, and if Larson wins, I think we get Larson vs. Condit II.

Winner: Condit, SUB, RD2

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