411’s WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles Report 8.09.09
Posted by Larry Csonka on 08.09.2009
Brian Bowles shocks the world as he defeats Miguel Torres via KO to become the new WEC Bantamweight Champion, while Dominick Cruz defeated Joseph Benavidez to lay claim to a title shot against Bowles. Check out the full report for all the details!
411's WEC 42: Torres vs. Bowles Report 8.09.09~!
PRELIMINARY RESULTS:
* L.C. Davis def. Javier Vazquez via split decision (30-27, 28-29, 29-28)
* Diego Nunes def. Rafael Dias via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
* Rani Yahya def. John Hosman via submission (north-south choke) - Round 1, 2:08
* Ed Ratcliff def. Phil Cardella via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
* Shane Roller def. Marcus Hicks via unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 29-28)
* Cole Province def. Fredson Paixao via unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)
-LIVE from The Joint at The Hard Rock Hotel & Casino in Las Vegas!
-Todd Harris welcomes us to the show. Frank Mir is with him, looking recovered from his UFC 100 beating.
FEATHERWEIGHT BOUT: Leonard Garcia (16-4) vs. Jameel Massouh (21-5):
ROUND ONE: The official is Steve Mazzagatti. And the night is underway, they touch and jabs by Garcia and then a hook follows. They dance a bit, leg kick by Massouh. Good right by Garcia, they trade leg kicks and then another by Massouh. A right by Garcia, body kick by Massouh. A right by Garcia, and another left hook. Garcia DROPS Massouh with a right, hesitates, and then dives into the guard and more rights by Garcia. Elbows from the half guard now, to the feet, a guillotine by Garcia, knees as well. He releases it, Massouh with a body kick and is back up. They clinch, Massouh gets him down and has half guard. Elbows from the bottom by Garcia, and Massouh looks for mount, and drops great elbows. Garcia works off of the cage, knees to the body by Massouh. In the guard now, works both levels, another good elbow by Massouh. He stands and rains down a few shots as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Close round. 10-9 Garcia.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and they circle. Leg kick by Massouh, Massouh take shim down by Garcia snatches up a guillotine. Massouh out, in the guard and works rights and elbows. Massouh works for side control as Garcia gets warned for grabbing the shorts. Short elbows by Massouh, body shots as well. Side control by Massouh, back to half guard and Massouh looks for a darce choke. Both men to their feet, Massouh still working the choke, and Garcia is down. They get back to the feet, separate and Garcia's mouth is wide open. Body kick by Garcia, misses the right and a leg kick by Massouh. They clinch, to the cage and they trade. Knees by Garcia, and a good combo by Massouh. Massouh keeps him against the cage as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 19-19, but the first round was close.
ROUND THREE: Final round now, head kick by Garcia checked. Garcia throws wildly, jab by Massou. Body kick by Massouh, a leg kick as well but a right by Garcia. Leg kick by Garcia, checks the high kick by Massouh, Superman punch blocked by Massouh. He lands a body kick, shoots, to the cage they go and they separate. Right by Garcia blocked as he throws wildly. Jab by Massouh, they trade lefts, and Garcia looks desperate. Spinning side kick by Garcia lands. Leg kick by Massouh, and Garcia misses the big right again. Body kick and a shoot by Massouh, to the cage they go and some knees follow. More knees by Massouh, Combo by Massouh and they separate. A jab follows, and another big miss by Garcia. Leg kick by Garcia, and a big right lands. High kick checked, Garcia is cut under the left eye, leg kicks by Massouh. Massouh trips up Garcia with a leg kick as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Close fight. 29-28 for Massouh.
THE RESULT: Leonard Garcia via split decision (29-28 Garcia, 29-28 Massouh, 29-28 Garcia)
Craig Hummer is with Garcia. He says the first right was going to end the fight. He just has no energy in the 2nd and 3rd. The choke was tight as hell. He had no bounce, and just was calmer for the most part.
-We get a look at the Bantamweight Division.
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT: Jeff Curran (31-11-1) vs. Takeya Mizugaki (11-3-2):
ROUND ONE: The official is Josh Rosenthal. And here we go with fight #2. Leg kick by Mizugaki to start it off. Leg kick by Curran follows. Curran catches a body kick, works to take Mizugaki down, but Mizugaki fights that off as they go to the cage. Curran keeps working for the takedown, body shots by Mizugaki. Curran pulls him away from the cage, but Mizugaki stays up as they work back to the cage. Body elbows by Mizugaki as Curran pulls him down to one knee. North south now, good body shots again by Mizugaki. Mizugaki landing a lot of body shots now, to the feet and again Mizugaki pulled to one knee, but he lands more body shots. To the feet, and again against the cage. They trade knees, and a throw by Mizugaki takes Curran down. He works body shots from the guard. Mizugaki unloads with a combo and then some elbows. Curran slaps on an arm bar, but Mizugaki escapes quickly. Curran pulls Mizugaki down, and Mizugaki is back on top on half guard. Mizugaki pushes Curran against the cage, Curran works off of the cage now and so does Mizugaki as he maintains control as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 Mizugaki.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins, good boxing by Curran to begin the round. Leg kick by Mizugaki, misses another. Leg kick by Curran, right by Mizugaki to answer. Side kick by Curran, good combo by Mizugaki. High kick checked by Mizugaki, they trade and Mizugaki coming forward and they clinch against the cage. Curran works the underhooks, and wants the takedown, but a throw by Mizugaki takes him down. Working from the guard now, both working short shots, shoulder shrugs by Mizugaki. He stands, lands some good clean shots and then works the body shots. Curran trying to push him off, Mizugaki back into the guard and Curran works heel kicks from the back. Mizugaki works to half guard, Curran trying to escape, almost had a triangle, but Mizugaki is back to guard and working body shots. Curran looks for a guillotine, has the body lock and Mizugaki works body shots as he tries to escape. Mizugaki is doing a great job in not allowing it to get deep and survives the final 30-seconds.
SCORECARD:: 19-19. Close round.
ROUND THREE: Final round now, and they both throw wildly to begin the round. Curran shoots, to the cage they go and knees by Mizugaki and Curran. Shoulder shrugs by Mizugaki, and then gets the trip and takedown. Mizugaki from the guard, some body shots and Curran tries for the triangle again, but Mizugaki blocks and lands a few shots to the head. Curran tries to push him off, lands a kick and a right, but a great right by Mizugaki in return. Curran is neutralizing the G&P rather well, locks up the body and is working very well from the bottom. Mizugaki works back to the half guard, shoulder shrug by Mizugaki and Curran pushes him off, but Mizugaki back to the guard and they trade as Curran stays busy from bottom. Curran looks for the arm bar, but Mizugaki is able to stay out, and works the body shots. Curran locks the body again, and into the triangle now! Wow, that was cool as hell. Mizugaki is trying to survive, and Curran rolls to a top triangle and locks it tight! Mizugaki rolls, tries to pull out and the round ends, as Mizugaki survives the submission. Such a sweet ass finish to the fight, how Mizugaki survived, I will never know, much respect.
SCORECARD:: Curran 29-28.
THE RESULT: Takeya Mizugaki via split decision (29-28 Mizugaki, 29-28 Curran, 29-28 Mizugaki)
Takeya Mizugaki says the triangle was very tight, and his heart got him to the end. He is asked about a title shot, and says he feels he is closer to a title shot.
-They speak to Cerrone and Henderson about their upcoming Lightweight Interim Title Fight, which takes place on September 2nd at WEC 43. Henderson says camp is going well, and that he is coming off of eye surgery. His stand up is improving due to having the surgery, a better reaction time. Cerrone says that Garcia did well tonight, and says he had been waiting for Varner, but is ready for Henderson. He is working on takedown defense, and says that the fight will be great.
-Mike Brown and The TapouT guys are in attendance.
LIGHTWEIGHT BOUT: Danny Castillo (7-1) vs. Ricardo Lamas (6-0):
ROUND ONE: The official is Herb Dean! Hooray for Herb, I missed him. They touch and they trade jabs. Goof right by Castillo, and then a good combo follows. They trade jabs, they clinch, knees by Lamas, they work around the cage a bit and then separate. Jab by Lamas, body combo by Castillo answers. Jab by lamas, they circle, Castillo with an overhand right connects. Double jab by Castillo, another jab lands, and Lamas misses the high kick. Another high kick misses, leg kick by Lamas. Leg kick by Castillo, one by Lamas. Castillo with another leg kick and a jab. Combo misses by lamas and lands a high kick. Hard combo by Castillo, Lamas misses the high kick and they clinch. To the cage they go, the battle for position, and then separate. Leg kick by Lamas and then a jab. Another jab, and then buckles Castillo with a leg kick as the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 Lamas.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins and Castillo throws and misses. Leg kicks traded, combo to the body by Castillo and then eat a combo himself. Jab by Lamas, Castillo shoots, to the cage they go and they separate. Right by Castillo, answered by a Lamas body kick. Leg kick by Castillo, and then a jab and leg kick by Lamas. Good right by lamas, Castillo shoots, but can't get him down. High kick checked by Castillo, and misses the leg kick. Combo by Castillo, mostly blocked. Lamas tries the head kick again, deflected and both guys trade hard shots. Leg kick by Castillo, misses the leg kick and eats a jab. Castillo checks the high kick again. Lamas blocks another combo, body shot and a body kick by Lamas. Castillo DROPS Lamas with a HUGE overhand right and Herb Dean stops the fight as Castillo follows up with some ground and pound.
THE RESULT: Danny Castillo via RD2 (4:15) TKO
Castillo asks if they thought he was losing, and smiles. He thanks his corner, they program him and he did what he was told. He trains with the best, and he loves his mom.
BANTAMWEIGHT BOUT: Joseph Benavidez (10-0) vs. Dominick Cruz (13-1):
ROUND ONE: The official is Steve Mazzagatti. They come out, circle and trade leg kicks. Leg kick by Benavidez, and a body kick follows. Another grazes Cruz, lands a combo and a right by Cruz. Benavidez gets tripped up and blocks a high kick as he gets up. To the cage they go, they separate and a good jab by Cruz. Great fast combo by Benavidez, to the cage and Cruz takes him down. Cruz works in the guard, and Benavidez locks in a guillotine. Cruz escapes and they get back to their feet. Both throw jabs, and a good left hook by Benavidez. Knee by Cruz and a hook by Benavidez. They clinch, and Cruz with a takedown, but they pop back up. They clinch against the cage, and Cruz takes Benavidez down, gets his back and Benavidez pops out! To the cage, good knees by Benavidez. They separate, body kick by Cruz and then a combo lands. Hard body kick by Benavidez and the round ends. Wild round.
SCORECARD:: 10-9 Cruz.
ROUND TWO: Round two begins, and a light head kick by Benavidez lands. Combo by Benavidez blocked, and then another flurry. Great combo by Cruz, he unloads and they clinch, Benavidez goes for a guillotine, Cruz out and a good elbow by Benavidez. Good combo by Benavidez, checks a high kick, body shot by Cruz. Benavidez slips, Cruz with a flurry and then drives Benavidez to the mat. Cruz in a side control, Benavidez pushes him off as he went for guard, and they stand. Benavidez misses a looping left. Body kick by Benavidez, but he slips again and they go to the cage. Benavidez is having issues with the height of Cruz. They separate, right hook by Cruz connects. Straight right by Benavidez, Cruz avoiding Benavidez now, high kick by Cruz checked. Spinning back elbow by Benavidez lands to the back of Cruz. Cruz with a slick takedown, works some body shots and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: 20-18 Cruz.
ROUND THREE: Final round now, and I feel Benavidez has to finish it, he can't go to the score cards. Body shot by Benavidez, combo by Cruz and then a body kick. High kick by Cruz, slips, but back up right away. Benavidez is getting wild as Cruz is able to avoid him. Good right by Benavidez, misses the spinning back fist, leg kick by Cruz trips up Benavidez and he falls, but is right back up. Cruz with another takedown on Benavidez. He has side control, and they are back up. Benavidez slips again on a body kick, overhand left lands. Cruz checks the kick, lands a combo and Benavidez misses another spinning back fist. They trade center cage, Benavidez misses the spinning back fist again, take down by Cruz, and they pop back up again. Straight right by Benavidez, right by Cruz. Head kick by Cruz, slips, Benavidez tries for the guillotine, but Cruz out, gets the back of Benavidez, looks for the choke, flattens him out instead, some ground and pound and the round ends.
SCORECARD:: Cruz 30-27.
THE RESULT: Dominick Cruz via unanimous decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)
Cruz asks if he is the #1 contender, and the crowd goes mild. They ask Cruz about fighting Torres, and he says he will put him where he is uncomfortable.
-With Takeya Mizugaki winning a "controversial" split decision, I would say that Cruz should get the next title shot.
ROUND ONE: The official is Josh Rosenthal. Torres has a 5.5-inch reach advantage. Main event time at 11:16PM, they come out, they circle, circle, circle, circle and a leg kick by Torres lands nearly a minute into the round. Another one lands, Bowles rocks Torres with an overhand right, but he is fine. Combo by Torres, clinch to the cage and knees by Torres. Bowles with the takedown, into the guard and Torres lands rights and lefts from the bottom. Elbow by Bowles, Torres locks up the body, then the heel kicks, up kicks by Torres, and Bowles back in to the guard. Torres with more heel kicks, Bowles stands and leg kicks land as Torres now gets back up. They circle, high kick by Torres checked. Torres with a crazy combo, but Bowles comes back and drops Torres with a right hook! He is on top, beats the hell out of Torres and THE FIGHT IS STOPPED!
BRIAN BOWLES SHOCKS THE WORLD!
Shitty stoppage by Rosenthal, in the fact that Torres took 5-6 more shots than he needed too.
THE RESULT: AND NEW WEC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION Brian Bowles via RD1 (3:57) KO
Brian Bowles says that he was confident that he could win, stayed calm, and didn't get caught up in the hype of Torres. He wanted to stay away from the jab and wanted to take him down. Bowles says he was rocked a bit, and then they relate the upset to the Mike Brown victory. He is pumped to defend the title. Bowles thanks a ton of people.
Awesome fight, though. And I agree; Torres took way more shots than he should have. The ref was slow in stopping the fight.
Posted By: mrw420 (Guest) on August 09, 2009 at 11:43 PM
So, I guess the Miguel Torres homer can shut up now about Torres, who got KTFO'd by Brian Bowles.
Posted By: Anonguy (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:09 AM
I am so happy Torres lost. he seemed way too full of himself - and Bowles was the 1st guy in a while who was fully prepared as a top challenger.
As always a great WEC event, but I was annoyed by the commentary all night (and I generally really like Mir). It seemed they were favoring one fighter in almost every fight - and usually the wrong guy. hell - they didn't even acknowledge that Cruz may win the fight until there was 30 seconds left....
Posted By: MJH (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:19 AM
I don't know what Josh Rosenthal was thinking, but that was a very late stoppage. Torres was out cold before Bowles threw another four punches in. I mean that was brutal.
Besides that; What a finish, sounded like Mir was gonna cry.
Posted By: xXxLenWierzalisxXx (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:26 AM
There is a new jynx! The espn analyst jynx. Torres, mir, florian, couture, bonnar all losing their last fight. Can couture break it?
Posted By: ESPN (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:48 AM
This was a great show and what an amazing performance by Bowles. Great finish to that fight. Might've been a late stoppage, but then if it was stopped sooner people would've whined that it was an early stoppage. Just IMHO.
WEC always delivers.
Posted By: Jeffrey (Registered) on August 10, 2009 at 01:15 AM
No, I don't think anybody would have claimed that as an early stoppage. Torres was clearly KTFO'd after the first left connected, and the 3-4 after that was just unnecessary.
Posted By: CyberFreq (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 10:05 AM
Wht a KO! Sometimes you can say a KO in MMA is just luck but being tht Bowles Rocked him even before the KO was awesome.
Posted By: enlightenedone9 (Registered) on August 10, 2009 at 11:06 AM
WEC has always put on great fights (except Paulo Filho's last fight there). it's ashame these dude get a fraction of what the top UFC fighters do. You would think that since it's a UFC affiliate some of that loot would filter down...oh well
KRYA could triangle choke me anyday..
Posted By: MadLiberator (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 11:08 AM
Great night of fights. I'm still a Torres fan. In MMA you don't stop rooting for a guy when he goes from 36-1 to 36-2. He's still an exciting, dangerous fighter. But props to Bowles - the bantamweight division just got a lot more interesting, and I didn't think that was possible!
Posted By: Scott (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:26 PM
There is a new jynx! The espn analyst jynx. Torres, mir, florian, couture, bonnar all losing their last fight. Can couture break it?
Posted By: ESPN (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 12:48 AM
Thanks for Failing
Posted By: Forrest (Guest) on August 10, 2009 at 01:46 PM
"Great night of fights. I'm still a Torres fan. In MMA you don't stop rooting for a guy when he goes from 36-1 to 36-2. "
So you're telling us you root for Torres ONLY because he was winning all the time before saturday ?
HOW LAME IS THIS ?
Bowles totally MURDERED your hero to DEATH !
EPIC WIN FOR BRIAN BOWLES ! Torres GOT HUMBLED THE BIG WAY !
What A BEATDOWN !!!!!
Posted By: Bowles >>>>> Torres (Guest) on August 11, 2009 at 12:35 AM
Anytime Krya wants me in her guard, north-south, or mount. I will fit that in my schedule.
Posted By: TheR (Guest) on August 11, 2009 at 03:10 PM
"So you're telling us you root for Torres ONLY because he was winning all the time before saturday ?
HOW LAME IS THIS ?
Bowles totally MURDERED your hero to DEATH ! "
Uh, way to read your own meaning into someone else's comments. Read what's there, not what you think is there.
BTW, you must not follow MMA much. Name another fighter who has been in this game for 5 years without a loss. If you step into the Octagon, you're eventually going to lose. You'll probably be humbled once or twice as well. BJ Penn is freaking 14-5; Anderson Silva has lost some MMA bouts; are you saying that Bowles is the jizz because he's 8-0? Urijah Faber's lost twice in his last three - is he a terrible fighter now? I guarantee Bowles won't retire undefeated. The only thing lame here is your lack of understanding of the game.
Posted By: Scott (Guest) on August 11, 2009 at 05:19 PM
