411’s WEC 40 - Torres vs. Mizugaki Report 04.05.09
Posted by Larry Csonka on 04.06.2009
Miguel Torres and Takeya Mizugaki battle for the WEC Bantamweight Title in a five round, fight of the year candidate! Elsewhere, Rafael Assuncao defeats Jameel Massouh, Ben Henderson TKOs Shane Roller, Joseph Benavidez outlasts Jeff Curran and more! Check out 411’s complete WEC 40 - Torres vs. Mizugaki Report for all the details!
WEC 40 – Torres vs. Mizugaki!
-Lets see if I remember how to do this, as I haven't recapped MMA since December.
-In Memory of Charles Lewis Jr., aka Mask
-LIVE from the UIC Pavilion in Chicago, Illinois!
-Todd Harris and Frank Mir are the announcers.
-Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh will kick off the show.
-We get a video package for Rafael Assuncao vs. Jameel Massouh.
Featherweight Bout - Rafael Assuncao (12-1) vs. Jameel Massouh (21-4):
ROUND ONE: Here we go. Body kick by Assuncao to begin things. Jameel drops him with a jab, partial slip, but Assuncao is back up. Right by Assuncao, leg kick and then a lunging jab. Combo by Assuncao DROPS Jameel, good defense by Jameel though and Assuncao cannot follow up. Into the guard now goes Assuncao, postures up and Jameel grabs a heel hook. Assuncao then tries for a toehold; escape by both men and to the feet they go. Assuncao takes Jameel down against the cage, Jameel with good wrist control, avoiding damage but Assuncao finally lands some solid strikes. Assuncao backs off, drops in with a good right and another. Some up kicks by Jameel, Assuncao looks for a guillotine now, working against the cage and now to north south. Assuncao circles, looks for a kimura, but they go back to the feet. They trade leg kicks, combo by Assuncao and a leg kick follows. Jameel with a leg kick, body kick by Assuncao follows. Good combo, and another by Assuncao as he is connecting easily. Knee by Jameel, but Assuncao catches Jameel with a right, locks in a guillotine, but Jameel backs out and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 for Assuncao.
ROUND TWO: Assuncao starts off with a great high low combo, body kick by Jameel connects, but Assuncao back with a good leg kick. Assuncao presses forward a she is not afraid of the jab of Jameel. Another good combo by Assuncao, who is connecting at will again. Clinch, to the cage they go and some knees by Jameel. Rights by Assuncao as he avoids the takedown for now, to north south, guillotine again by Assuncao, Jameel fights, to north south again and Assuncao just holds Jameel down. To the cage they go, to the feet and a right by Assuncao breaks that up. Good body kick by Jameel, but Assuncao connects with a great left and rocks Jameel. Hard leg kick and a right by Assuncao, head kick checked by Jameel, and then answers with a body kick. Combo again by Assuncao, Jameel slips, Assuncao attacks and lands a huge right, half guard and then Assuncao stacks him up and goes to north south as round 2 ends.
SCORECARD:: 20-18 Assuncao, easily.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins and Assuncao takes a leg kick, but connects with one of his own. They trade rights, another very good combo by Assuncao. Assuncao slams Jameel down, into the guard, and nothing much happening. Jameel tries to work a rubber guard, fails and Assuncao with short rights. Half guard now, some light body shots by Jameel as Assuncao gets full mount against the cage. Rolls now and Jameel is on top. Jameel tries to posture up, Assuncao now looks for a triangle, but Jameel avoids that. Jameel almost had the back, Assuncao back into the guard and has control once again. Assuncao avoids a heel hook, stands, drops back in and into the half guard. Short elbows by Assuncao, Jameel wants a heel hook, Assuncao escapes and then gets the back of Jameel. Almost had the choke, Jameel escapes, they throw wildly and that's the fight.
SCORECARD:: 30-27 for Assuncao.
THE RESULT: Rafael Assuncao via Unanimous Decision (30-27 Across the Cards)
After the fight, Rafael Assuncao says that he was able to counter the kicks, and he feels good. He does 1500 sit ups a day, and puts over Jameel as a warrior.
-Faber and Brown are in the audience, and get interviewed about their rematch. Faber says he made a mistake, lost and that it won't happen again. Brown says when they shut the cage he will swing for the fences. The fight may be in Faber's backyard, but he plans on retaining the title. June 7th is the day!
-We get a tribute to Charles Lewis Jr., aka Mask.
-The Tapout crew is in attendance, with an empty chair in between them for Mask.
-Ben Henderson vs. Shane Roller will be next.
-We get a video package for Ben Henderson vs. Shane Roller.
Lightweight Bout - Ben Henderson (8-1) vs. Shane Roller (5-1):
ROUND ONE: They touch and Henderson looks for jabs early. Push kick misses for Henderson, Roller with a great right, drops Henderson, goes for the guillotine against the cage, has to let it go, lands rights and then body shots. North south position now, hammer fists by Roller, to the feet and a huge knee to the gut by Henderson. Body shots by Henderson against the cage, knees follow, takedown and Roll pope back up but then Henderson DROPS him with a great combo and then ground and pounds it out for the stoppage!
Impressive victory for Henderson.
THE RESULT: Ben Henderson via RD1 TKO (1:41)
Henderson says it was through Christ that he was able to win. He admits that he got caught, and then, "I hit him hard" and dropped him. He'll fight whomever they want him to fight.
-We get a video package for Anthony Njokuani vs. Bart Palaszewski.
Lightweight Bout - Anthony Njokuani (10-2) vs. Bart Palaszewski (30-12):
ROUND ONE: Bart is taking the fight on short notice, this was a prelim bout. They touch and here we go. They dance, try to work jabs, and Njokuani lands a good body shot. Bart shoots, to the cage they go and pulls Njokuani down. He gets back up though as he works off the cage, knees by Bart, they clinch against the cage, good knees by Njokuani and they break. Nice right by Njokuani down the middle, jab connects as well. Overhand right by Njokuani, lead hook and overhand right follows as well as a jab. Njokuani looks good thus far, leg kick now and more jabs by Njokuani, who works the reach advantage. Leg kick by Njokuani, a body kick and a good left hook follows. Straight right by Njokuani, DROPS Bart and delays, but follows into the guard and lands really good shots. Njokuani stands and rains down with lefts and rights, and they eventually get stood up. That saves Bart, shouldn't have been stood up. Bart shoots, gets the takedown and is just trying to keep him down and recharge. Both work some shots, but nothing special as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 Njokuani.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins as they touch, jabs by Njokuani connect. Leg kick by Njokuani, straight right by Njokuani, Bart is down and Njokuani just unloads with a flurry on him as Bart is still down and that is all!
Njokuani does a bunch of back flips and shit to celebrate.
THE RESULT: Anthony Njokuani via RD2 KO (0:27)
Njokuani says Bart is a stud and took the fight on short notice, so he gives him "mad props."
-June 7th is the next WEC event, which is Faber vs. Brown II!
-We get a video package for Joseph Benavidez vs. Jeff Curran.
Bantamweight Bout - Joseph Benavidez (9-0) vs. Jeff Curran (31-10-1):
ROUND ONE: They touch and both fake kicks. Leg kick by Curran, Benavidez misses a leg kick and they looks for jabs but miss. Head kick checked by Curran, who is calm and looking for the mistake right now. Body kick by Benavidez, a knee follows, they clinch and go to the cage. Under hooks by Curran, escapes and Benavidez with some wild rights that connect. Good uppercut by Benavidez, jab follows, push kick by Benavidez and he then checks a head kick by Curran. Curran with a HUGE right, they clinch and some knees by Benavidez. To the cage, knees by both and Curran ate one up the middle. Another good knee by Benavidez, right follows and then a wild left nails Curran as he slips. They both connect with rights, leg kick by Benavidez, gets caught and tossed backwards. Benavidez DROPS Curran with a left, to the ground and the closed guard by Curran. Some body shots by Benavidez, rights follow and he stands and lands leg kicks to the downed Curran. Benavidez dives in, right connects, back up and leg kicks again. Up kick by Curran lands, but Benavidez back with a nice body shot and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 Benavidez.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins, some wild kicks by Benavidez miss and Curran lands a good body kick. Push kick by Benavidez, then by Curran, leg kick by Benavidez, slips but is back up. Both throw wild combos, and land. Side kick by Curran, misses the superman and is down as Benavidez goes into half guard. Benavidez to his feet, drops back down and into full guard. Benavidez stands, leg kicks, drops in and Curran is blocking well. Body shots by Benavidez, but Curran gets to his feet. Body kick by Benavidez, leg kick as well. Tries to shoot, stuffed, Curran almost had a guillotine, to the ground and Benavidez escapes a triangle try as well as an omoplata try by Curran. Side control by Benavidez, short elbows follow, but Curran gets a body lock and Benavidez rolls and into half guard. Curran sits up, but Benavidez gets a guillotine, releases and good rights to Curran. Benavidez stands, leg kicks to the downed Curran. Benavidez drops in, good body shots as he is able to control things. Curran lands a few up kicks, but Benavidez with a hard left. Curran with a great up kick, but eats a flurry by Benavidez as he round ends.
SCORECARD:: 20-18 Benavidez.
ROUND THREE: Final round begins and it has been a great fight thus far. Leg kick by Benavidez, but Curran with a good body kick to answer. Another good kick to the body by Curran. Body shot by Benavidez, flying knee misses and Curran lands a few jabs. Wild left by Benavidez missed, he shoots, trips Curran down and is in the guard. Nice. Benavidez has Curran against the cage, good left elbows by Benavidez. He stands, backs off, lets Curran up and lands a left. Leg kick by Curran, spinning back fist by Curran misses. Side kick by Benavidez, and then a good combo lands. Curran checks a high kick, throws one of his own and it is checked. Curran shoots, takes Benavidez down but Benavidez works up the fence and is back to his feet. Knees to the body by Curran, pulls him back down and Benavidez is in his guard. Lefts by Benavidez connect as he does damage from the top again. Benavidez has a fast pace and is constantly working and landing something, which is likely why he will win the fight. Curran tries for an arm bar, and now a triangle, but Benavidez escapes. Back into the guard for the final 10-seconds and that is the fight.
SCORECARD:: Benavidez 30-27, but I could see 29-28. A deceiving score, because if it is 30-27, it is one of those ones that is way closer than the score would indicate. Great fight.
THE RESULT: Joseph Benavidez via Unanimous Decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
Benavidez thanks everyone that has ever helped him. He trained for everything, but is not satisfied with his performance. He puts over training with Faber, and the fact that training with him has made a world of difference.
-Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki for the WEC Bantamweight Title closes the show.
- A video package hyping the bantamweight division.
-We get a video package for Miguel Torres vs. Takeya Mizugaki.
ROUND ONE: And here we go with the main event of the evening. They come out, no touch, Mizugaki looking for a hook, misses, but lands a combo to counter a kick of Torres. Both throwing a bit wildly, Body kick and a left kick by Torres. Jabs follow, avoids Mizugaki's right. They get wild again with combos, Torres slips and Mizugaki take shim down. They both jump back up, sweet jab by Torres, but gets caught with a right. Head kick by Torres lands, both land combos, but then a jab again by Torres. Combo by Mizugaki, body shot and then he connects again. Takes Torres to the cage, they separate and Torres tries to work the jab again. Right by Mizugaki, combos by both again as they are really throwing the lumber. Jabs by Torres, a body kick follows but Mizugaki back with a combo. Body kick by Torres again, another and after a flurry by both, a push kick by Torres as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9, a very close round, but the aggression helps Mizugaki take it.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins, Mizugaki chases a bit for punches, Torres backs off and they trade combos. Torres slips as he retreats, back to his feet as Mizugaki didn't want to go to the ground. Spin kick by Torres, gets caught, taken down but they are back up again. Right by Mizugaki, combo by Torres and to the cage they go. Knees by Torres, left hook by Mizugaki and they separate. Jabs by Torres, Mizugaki chases for the right, jabs again by Torres and Mizugaki chases again, but misses. Leg kick by Torres, gets caught with a right but backs off and stays cool. A good right by Torres lands, Mizugaki steps back, misses a right and they both lands good combos, against the cage and knees by Torres. Some shoulder shrugs now, some body shots as well and back to the knee strikes. They trade and we get time as Torres lost his mouthpiece. Back to action and a right, right and then left hook by Torres lands. To the cage, more knees by Torres, foot stomps, knees again and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 19-19.
ROUND THREE: Round three begins, Mizugaki isn't nearly as aggressive, and eats a left hook. Combo by Mizugaki, more jabs by Torres. Mizugaki gets him to the cage, lands a combo and a great knee. They clinch, more knees by Torres and they break. A combo by Torres, but pays for it as he takes a hard left by Mizugaki. Straight right by Torres connects, and now we get time to clear the blood from the forehead of Torres. He has a cut over the right eye, and it is not pretty. They check him over, and he is good to go. Back to action and body kicks by Torres as Mizugaki works the combos again. They get wild and fast with the combos, Mizugaki backs off and Torres attacks with a good combo and knees. Left hook by Torres, against the cage and more knees by Torres. Mizugaki turns him, lands a combo and knees and back to the center of the cage they go. Combo by Torres, a right follows and another combo. They circle and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 29-28 Torres, but it's close.
ROUND FOUR: Round four begins, and they continue to battle standing up. They finally go to the ground, and Mizugaki escapes and runs. He wants none of that. To the cage and elbows by Torres are landing and so are the knees. They work around the cage as Torres continues to throw knees. They separate, jab by Torres and then a combo and hard rights follow. Another big elbow lands for Torres, Mizugaki tries to fight out, but Torres is keeping him against the fence and is grinding it out. The knees by Torres have to be busting up the gut of Mizugaki. Another elbow lands, Mizugaki wanted a knee bar, but Torres escapes that. Jab by Torres, another and that snapped Mizugaki's head back. Mizugaki is looking really tired now. Left hook by Torres lands, and then a sweet combo and Mizugaki looks rocked. Mizugaki leaps in with a left, lands, and then a body kick by Torres. Combo by Torres as Mizugaki is backing away and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 39-37 for Torres.
ROUND FIVE: Both men come out for the final round and here we go! They circle, Mizugaki chase and Torres backs away and looks for his shot. Torres tries to pull Mizugaki down, fails and then goes back and works the knees. Flurry of hard shots by Torres, more knees and he keeps it against the cage and switched levels with some nice combos. High kick by Torres, slips on another try but back up. Left by Torres, Mizugaki misses a right and then goes to the body and lands. Back to the cage, Torres with body shots and more knees. More elbows by Torres, Torres wants I ton the ground, but Mizugaki refuses. Body combo by Torres, another combo lands and they go back to the cage. The knees of Torres continue to bust up Mizugaki. They separate, combo by Torres and they stand and go center cage, circle, Mizugaki calls on Torres and takes a push kick. They clinch, wild combos by both as they unload with 15-seconds left! They slug it out to the horn in an amazing battle.
SCORECARD:: 49-46 for Torres, but I could see 48-47 as round three was close.
THE RESULT: Miguel Torres via Unanimous Decision (49-46, 48-47, 49-46)
Torres says Mizugaki banged and took him all five rounds, and thanks him for taking the fight. Torres trains hard and was ready for this, and thanks everyone for coming. In round five, he just fought like a champion, and he did that. Torres also says that Bowles is next, as soon as he is healthy. Bowles enters the cage, and says he will be ready soon, August most likely, and he will be back. He calls the fight, "awesome".
-Thanks for reading, and I'll be back Saturday for the Strikeforce: Shamrock vs. Diaz show!
VS. cut out in California in the 2nd round of the main...what a let down.
Posted By: Steeler Steve (Guest) on April 06, 2009 at 09:20 AM
That was a great main event. I did not expect Mizugaki to last past the third. But I think it showed great awares of his weaknesses not to go to the ground with Torress and simply bang with him for a solid 20+ minutes.
WEC puts on another great show and I would love if Zuffa would pull a World's Collide and have some WEC Title Fights on a UFC PPV. Especially in the months that don't feature a main event title bout.
Imagine Faber, Brown, or Torres on PPV and tell me that won't get people excited for their next PPV events.
Posted By: pd (Guest) on April 06, 2009 at 09:24 AM
Imagine Faber, Brown, or Torres on PPV and tell me that won't get people excited for their next PPV events.
Ok, I will. That wont get people excited enough for the to buy a WEC PPV. Maybe if they change the name to UFC, they will have a shot.
Posted By: hhh (Guest) on April 06, 2009 at 09:24 PM
I don't expect WEC to do much better than and ROH ppv, but people ordered YAMMA sight unseen so anything's possible.
Posted By: pd (Guest) on April 07, 2009 at 12:36 AM
