411's WEC 43: Cerrone vs.Henderson Report 10.10.09

Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 10.11.2009

Ben Henderson captured the WEC Interim Lightweight Title by edging out Donald Cerrone in a five round war. Elsewhere, Damacio Page continued to stay on a roll by quickly submitting Will Campuzano and Dave Jensen made a successful WEC debut by defeating Richard Crunkilton by decision. Click for the full report.

WEC 43: Cerrone vs. Henderson
From The AT&T Center in San Antonio, Texas
Live on Versus

-Opening video highlighting the main card.

-Todd Harris and "The Champ" Frank Mir are the hosts.

-Recap video of Varner vs. Cerrone. That fight ended due to an illegal knee by Cerrone and a technical decision victory by Varner. Mir explains that Varner is not fighting Cerrone tonight because of a hand injury and that the winner of Cerrone vs. Henderson will face Varner in the near future.

-Preview video for Page vs. Campuzano.

Bantamweight Fight: Damacio Page (11-4) vs. Will Campuzano (6-0)

Round One: Page comes out swinging. BOTH MEN THROWING BOMBS! Will gets the better of an exchange and Page gets the takedown. Will looking for an armbar. Page passes and Will gives up his back. Page looking for the rear naked choke. It's deep. Will has to tap out.

Official Decision: Damacio Page by Submission (Rear Naked Choke) at 1:02 in Round One

-Page says he'll fight whoever is thrown at him.

-Video promo for WEC 44: Brown vs. Aldo. The show takes place on November 18.

-Brown wins over the fans by saying San Antonio is the best city in Texas. Brown says he has to put his old man strength on Aldo and use his power. "Move my head and don't get his knee on my face."

-Faber, joining the commentary booth, says he's healed up and ready to fight. He's hoping to fight in January but no opponent has been set.

-Video preview for Assuncao vs. Jabouin

Featherweight Fight: Raphael Assuncao (13-1) vs. Yves Jabouin (14-4)

Round One: Yves moving around a lot. Good leg kick by Assuncao but Yves answers with a left. Good exchange won by Yves. Yves catches a body kick and takes down Assuncao. Yves in guard. Yves gets out of the guard and stands. Back on the feet. Good combo by Assuncao but Yves covering well. Assuncao shoots but Yves sprawls, almost into the mount. Yves ends up in guard. Assuncao trying to work the rubber guard. Assuncao controlling the posture. Yves gets out and to his feet. Both men up. Body kick by Assuncao. Yves answers with a body kick of his own. Superman punch by Yves. More body kicks by Yves. They clinch and trade knees. Both men have an underhook. Assuncao grazes Yves with a knee on the break. The round ends. Close round. 10-9 Yves.

Round Two: Both men connect with the left. Assuncao landing a good left hook. Leg kicks by Assuncao. Right hand by Yves and Assuncao answers with a left. Body kick by Yves. They trade leg kicks. Good right straight by Assuncao. Counter left hook by Assuncao. Yves throws a body kick and Assuncao kicks his leg out from under him. Yves quickly back up. They trade body kicks. Spinning back back by Yves pushes Assuncao off the cage. Right hand by Yves. Another spinning back kick. Body kick by Yves is caught. Assuncao gets the clinch. Assuncao misses with a right off the break. Assuncao reaching with his punches. Good left-right combo by Assuncao. Assuncao grabs a single and drags Yves to the ground. Assuncao switches to a guillotine. Yves rolls over to get out. The round ends with Assuncao in side control. Another close round. 10-9 Assuncao.

Round Three: Leg kick by Assuncao. Leg sweep by Assuncao puts Yves down. He's quickly back up. Right hand by Assuncao. They clinch. Both with an underhook. Assuncao drops for a single and drags Yves to the ground. Yves trying to get back up but Assuncao sweeps to the back. He has one hook in but they're against the cage. Assuncao has him flattened out. Yves turns to his side and tries to walk the cage. Assuncao gets the other hook in. Assuncao working for the choke. Yves trying to turn into him. Yves turns into him and gets to his feet. Both up. Body kick by Yves. Counter right hand by Assuncao. Big right hand by Yves. Spinning back fist by Yves lands flush. Assuncao just takes it. They clinch. Yves tries a throw but Assuncao blocks it and now has his back on the feet. The round ends. 10-9 Assuncao.

Official Decision: Raphael Assuncao by Split Decision (30-27, 27-30, 29-28)

Featherweight Fight (Prelim): Wagnney Fabiano (12-1) Vs. Mackens Semerzier (6-0)

Round One: Fabiano shoots but Semerzier sprawls. Fabiano gets him to the ground and is in half guard. Semerzier pushes him away and Fabiano is standing above Semerzier. Up kicks by Semerzier. Semerzier locks in a triangle. It's deep. FABIANO TAPS OUT!

Official Decision: Mackens Semerzier by Submission (Triangle Choke) at 2:14 in Round One

-Video preview for Crunkilton vs. Jansen

Lightweight Fight: Richard Crunkilton Jr. (18-2) Vs. Dave Jansen (10-0)

Round One: Double left by Crunkilton. Crunkilton shoots but Jansen sprawls. Good shots by Crunkilton. They clinch and Jansen has the body lock. Jansen tries a trip takedown but Crunkilton floats over. Back up but still in the clinch. Switch by Jansen and he has his back on the feet. Jansen gets him to the ground. Crunkilton gets up and Jansen puts him right back down. Jansen in the half guard. Short elbows by Jansen. Crunkilton rolls for a knee bar but Jansen fights it off. Half butterfly guard by Crunkilton. Another knee bar attempt but Jansen again avoids it. Side control for Jansen. Crunktilton goes for a darce choke from the bottom. Jansen defends and goes for a north south choke from the top. Crunkilton sweeps and gets back in guard. Jansen stands in the guard and comes down with heavy shots. Crunktilton tries to explode to his feet but Jansen right on him. Crunkilton sweeps and gets to his feet. Teep kick by Crunkilton. Body kick by Cunkilton. Left followed by a right drops Jansen to a knee. He's back up. Jansen shoots but Crunkilton sprawls as the round ends. Crunkilton made it close at the end. 10-9 Jansen.

Round Two: Head kick just misses for Crunkilton. Body kick by Crunkilton. He goes for another body kick but Jansen catches it and gets the takedown. Jansen in half guard. He tries to pass to mount but Crunkilton blocks it. Butterfly guard for Crunkilton. Crunkilton sweeps and gets to his feet. They clinch and Crunkilton eats a knee to the groin. That halts the action. Crunkilton takes some time to recover but he's ready to fight. Leg kick by Crunktilon. Big straight right by Crunktilton. Left by Crunkilton. Crunktilton hits a knee as Jansen presses forward and Jansen loses his mouthpiece. Jansen gets the takedown and sweeps to the back in turtle position. Crunktilon gets up and to his feet. Jansen with a big takedown as they break. Jansen in guard. Jansen raining down with punches. The ref with a quick stand up. Body kick by Crunkilton. Right hand by Crunktilon as Jansen throws a kick. Body kick by Crunkilton answered by a knee by Jansen. Jansen shoots and drives through to get the takedown. Jansen in half guard. Crunkilton working for a kimura. The round ends. 10-9 Crunkilton.

Round Three: Body kick by Crunktilon. Right hand by Crunkilton. Crunktilton letting his hands go and landing at will. Jansen is stumbled. Crunkilton throws a kick and Jansen gets the takedown. Crunkilton sweeps to his feet. Sprawl by Crunkilton. Jansen shoots and Crunktilon sprawls. Crunkilton switches to a darce choke. Crunkilton is too tired to finish the choke so he gives it up. Back on the feet. Left hand by Crunkilton. Jansen is stumbling around. Jansen shoots, gets a single, and gets the takedown. Jansen passes to side control. Jansen tries to mount but Crunkilton gets him in side control. Another quick stand up. Jansen throwing weak punches. Body shot by Jansen. Both men looked gassed. Jansen with another takedown. Jansen in half guard and dropping elbows. Jansen going for the kimura. Jansen passes to side control. Crunkilton gets him back to half guard. More elbows by Jansen. Crunkilton gets guard. Hammerfists by Jansen. Crunkilton tries to get to his feet but Jansen gets turtle position as the round ends. Close round. 10-9 Jansen.

Official Decision: Dave Jansen by Unanimous Decision (30-27, 29-28, 29-28)

Bantamweight Fight (Prelim): Scott Jorgensen (6-3) Vs. Noah Thomas (13-5)

Round One: Right hand stumbles Thomas. They clinch and Thomas pulls guard. Jorgensen goes for a powerbomb but Thomas gets to his feet. Right hand followed by the takedown by Scott. Scott passes to half guard as Thomas goes for an armbar. Thomas gets full guard. Thomas working the rubber guard. Elbow by Scott. Thomas goes for an armbar but eats a right. Thomas sweeps to his feet. They clinch and break. Body kick by Thomas. Big right by Scott. Another right drops him. Scott pounces on him. Thomas gets a triangle but Scott pulls out. Scott is guard. Scott postures up and rains down with the right. Heavy right hand and elbow by Scott. THOMAS IS OUT! The ref jumps in.

Official Decision: Scott Jorgensen by TKO at 3:13 in Round One

-Mir breaks down Cerrone vs. Henderson saying Cerrone is really good on his feet and on the ground and that Henderson is a great athlete with good wrestling.

-Video preview for Cerrone vs. Henderson.

WEC Interim Lightweight Title Fight (Main Event): Donald Cerrone (10-1, 1 NC) vs. Ben Henderson (9-1)

Round One: Cerrone slips on the high kicks. Henderson goes right after him. Cerrone up. Henderson goes for a takedown. Cerrone gets a guillotine. Cerrone drags him to the ground and he's on top. Henderson tries to squirm out. Cerrone switches to a triangle choke. Henderson trying to punch his way out. Cerrone gives it up and grabs a hold of Henderson. Henderson looking for his own guillotine. Knee by Henderson. They break. Leg kick by Cerrone caught. Henderson switches to a double and eventually gets the takedown. Cerrone throws up the triangle but Henderson pulls out. Henderson raining down punches. Henderson standing in guard. Elbow to the body. Cerrone tries an omaplata but Henderson escapes. Henderson standing in guard again. Big right hand by Henderson. Henderson going to the body then head. Cerrone tries to roll out but Henderson gets his back. Henderson rolls back into guard. Right hands by Henderson. Up kick by Cerrone. Henderson standing in guard again. The round ends. Close round. 10-9 Henderson.

Round Two: Henderson shoots and grabs a single. He gets the takedown but Cerrone pushes away. Henderson tries to keep him down but Cerrone sweeps and gets the back. Cerrone is high on the back. Henderson sweeps and gets guard. Cerrone very active on the bottom. Henderson keeps standing in guard and eating up kicks. Cerrone looking for the kimura. Cerrone slips to the back and goes for an armbar. Henderson steps over, pulls out, and is back in guard. Elbow by Henderson. Henderson standing in guard again and coming down with a big right hand. Flurry by Henderson. Henderson drops a big elbow and stands again. Henderson going to the body then head. Cerrone throwing the up kick. More big bombs by Henderson. Cerrone looking for a knee bar but Henderson pulls out. Henderson still standing in the guard of Cerrone and raining down punches. Up kicks by Cerrone. Cerrone pushes him away but Henderson right back on him. The round ends. 10-9 Henderson.

Round Three: Cerrone pressing forward but just missing with his punches. Henderson shoots and gets the takedown. Cerrone pushes off and tries to get up but Henderson on him and gets his back. Cerrone rolls into guard. Henderson standing in the guard. Cerrone goes for a triangle but Henderson shrugs it away and passes to side control. Cerrone turns into him and Henderson gets his back with one hook in. Cerrone rolls back into guard. Henderson standing in guard. Cerrone with an up kick. Body shots by Henderson. Cerrone pushes away and gets to his feet. Cerrone pressing forward but missing. Henderson gets a single and then switches to a double. Cerrone trying to stay on his feet but Henderson wrestles him down. Cerrone gets back up. Knee by Cerrone. Henderson has a double leg and he gets Cerrone down. Cerrone right back up though. Henderson shoots but Cerrone sprawls. Henderson still has a single. Henderson gets him down as the round ends. 10-9 Henderson.

Round Four: Cerrone shoots and Henderson sprawls. Henderson tries for the takedown but Cerrone grabs a guillotine. Cerrone drops down and is on top with the guillotine. Cerrone with a north south choke now. Henderson surviving. Henderson muscles he way out and to his feet. Body kick by Henderson. Sprawl by Cerrone. Back on the feet. Henderson grabs a single but Cerrone sprawls. Henderson on his knees eats an uppercut. Henderson shoots and has a double. Cerrone stays on his feet. Henderson gives up on the takedown and they're back on the feet. Sprawl by Cerrone. Uppercut by Cerrone as Henderson is on all fours. Henderson on his back with Cerrone standing over him. Henderson gets up and eats a left. Leg kick by Cerrone drops Henderson as the round ends. 10-9 Cerrone.

Round Five: They hug to start the round. Henderson shoots. He has a double but can't finish it. Cerrone fights it off and stays on his feet. Cerrone escapes the clutches. Cerrone press forward and stumbles Henderson with a right hand. Henderson gets the takedown but Cerrone gets right back up and Henderson just stumbles down. Cerrone standing over Henderson. Cerrone lets him up. Cerrone just sort of pushes Henderson down. Henderson grabs a single but Cerrone sprawls out. Henderson gets the takedown but Cerrone goes for an omaplata. Cerrone turns it into a triangle. Henderson pops his head out. Cerrone still hs an omaplata. He turns it into a kimura and his shoulder bends in ways it shouldn't. Henderson survives and is now in guard. Cerrone gets to his feet. Henderson stays on him though. Henderson gets a takedown. Up kick by Cerrone. Cerrone with another triangle attempt. He switches to an armbar but the round ends. 10-9 Cerrone.

-Hell of a fight. Whoever won the first round probably won the fight. And the judging has been wacky all night.

Official Decision: NEW WEC Interim Lightweight Champion - Ben Henderson by Unanimous Decision (48-47 across)

-Henderson says he's got a date with Varner.

-Varner gives Cerrone his props and then says he'll fight Henderson in December.

-End Show.