411's WEC WreckCage Report 6.24.09

Posted by John Lamb on 06.24.2009

Faber v. Brown I headlines the entertaining season premiere of WreckCage!

Hey guys, my name is John Lamb and I am your WreckCage recapper.

Just a quick note, the fighter's records are from when the fights took place. Obviously, this show is a recap of past bouts so I will treat each fight as if it were just happening for the first time.

Let's get it on!


Jose Aldo (11-1) vs. Jonathan Brookins (8-2)

Round One: They tap gloves at the center of the ring. Aldo throws some punches and kicks to get a feel. Aldo goes for a high kick. Aldo lands a nice combo and an inside kick stops a Brookins shoot attempt. Another inside kick from Aldo. Aldo keeps coming with strong right hands that Brookins has no answer for. Aldo throws another right roundhouse kick. Brookins strikes are very ineffective but he is able to take Aldo down but is unable to capitalize as Aldo gets to his feet easily. Aldo nails Brookins with a stiff left jab. Aldo answers every one of Brookins strikes with a combo of his own. Aldo hits another inside leg kick that keeps Brookins off balance. Aldo dominated this round. Brookins strikes look way to slow an look to be largely ineffective. It would behoove him to try and take Aldo down to the mat. Aldo would be wise to use his kicks a little more, they were very effective.

Round Two: Both fighters dance in the center of the ring in a bit of a feeling out process. Aldo sweeps Brookins with an impressive leg kick. Brookins keeps getting thrown off balance with the leg kicks of Aldo. Brookins attempts to shoot but Aldo escapes. They clinch up against the cage. Ref issues a warning to Aldo for grabbing the cage. Brookins throws so uninspired rights and lefts. Another inside leg kick buckles Brookins right leg. Another kick to the right leg of Brookins. And another. Aldo's stand up is impeccable right now. A body kick by Aldo knocks Brookins into the cage. Another leg kick knocks Brookins leg off the canvas. Frank Mir suggests that Brookins corner should throw in the towel. The second round ends with Aldo attempting a flying knee. This round had considerably less action than the first but Aldo once again dominated with his kicks. Brookins looks like he is in survival mode rather than trying to win.

Round Three: Brookins throws two jabs but eats a left kick to the face for his trouble. More inside leg kicks by Aldo. A huge right drops Brookins! He tries to scramble to his feet but Aldo is like a shark that smells blood as he jumps on Brookins and pounds him with rights and lefts until the fight is stopped!

Official Decision: Jose Aldo by TKO.


Hiroyuki Takaya (9-5-1) vs Cub Swanson (12-2)

Round One: Both fighters throw some jabs in the center of the cage. Takaya throws a high kick but comes up empty. Cub is coming in with punches from all different angles. Mir notes that Cub is working with Joe Stevensons' boxing coach. They clinch and Swanson attempts a hip toss but Takaya blocks it. Cub tries a guillotine but then lets go and nails Takaya with a straight right. Swanson tees off and tries to end the fight with a spinning crescent kick. They clinch again against the cage. Both fighters work for position. Takaya breaks free and lands a few punches to the body. Takaya nails a leg kick but Swanson answers with a kick that snaps very loudly. Takaya lands a left and then knocks Swanson the the Canvas with a sweeping kick. Takaya takes a knee to the face as he gets back up. Takaya throws a wild right kick that comes up empty. Cub lands a nice left kick to Takaya's head and attempts a spinning roundhouse kick as the round ends. Swanson dominated the first four minutes of the round but Takaya had an impressive string of power strikes that may have scored some points in the eyes of the judges.

Round Two: Takaya comes out swinging. They clinch up against the cage. Both fighters attempt to get double underhooks. Cub jumps guard and works a beautiful guillotine but Takaya breaks free. Cub comes in with some impressive punches with a left kick thrown in for good measure. Swanson clinches and attempts to throw Takaya but he blocks in and brings Cub to the ground. Takaya is unable to do anything with Cub on the ground as he forces himself back to his feet. A wild left hook forces Takaya to step back and regroup. Swanson catches Takaya with a huge right hand and clinches Takaya. Cub hiptosses Takaya to the ground and mounts him! Takaya gives up his back and Cub attempts to lock in a rear naked choke! Takaya displays some impressive defense. Takaya is in survival mode now as Swanson keeps working for the rear naked choke. Cub mounts momentarily before going back to Takaya's back to attempt a funky looking triangle choke as the round expires. This round was all Swanson, no doubt about it.

Round Three: Takaya comes out swinging again and stumbles Cub with a big left hand. Takaya's leg kicks are becoming more and more effective but he tries one too many as Cub catches one and brings him to the ground. Cub tries to pull Takaya away from the cage so he can mount him. Swanson lands a few short elbows and punches to try and loosen Takaya's ground defenses. Both fighters get back to their feet. Swanson throws a front kick. Another leg kick stumbles Swanson. The fighters clinch against the cage and Cub separates long enough to throw a nasty right elbow that lands flush. Takaya brings Cub to the ground. Cub gets back up and then hiptosses Takaya to the ground. He has Takaya's back and shows off to the crowd briefly before attempting another rear naked choke. Dub throws a spinning back fist that connects and then wrestles Takaya to the ground as the the fight comes to a close. Impressive outing from Swanson. Takaya showed a lot of heart but he was outclassed in all aspects by Cub.

Official Decision: Cub Swanson by unanimous decision.


WEC Featherweight Title Fight
WEC Featherweight Champion "The California Kid" Urijiah Faber (21-1) vs. Mike Brown (19-4)

Round One: Faber throws a front kick that only catches air. Brown has that right hand cocked and ready to go. Faber sneaks in an overhand right that nails Brown. They clinch and Brown shows off his strength as Faber can do nothing. Brown backs Faber into the face with some punches. They clinch and Brown has double underhooks. Faber tries to escape and knees Brown in the face! Faber lands a left jab. Brown forces Faber back in to the cage. Faber throws a wild elbow and Brown catches him with a right hand that knocks Faber silly! Faber is in trouble as Brown has his back! Brown rains down a flurry of right and left hooks! Urijiah isn't defending himself and the fight is stopped at 2:25 of the first round.

Official Decision: Mike Brown by TKO


Thanks for reading! I'll see you next week for another exciting edition of WEC WreckCage!