411's WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz Report 03.06.10

Posted by Jeremy Lambert on 03.07.2010

Dominick Cruz became the new WEC Bantamweight champion by stopping Brian Bowles at the end of the 2nd round in a dominating performance. Elsewhere, Joseph Benavidez submitted former champion Miguel Torres with a guillotine choke in the second round and Javier Vazquez defeated Jens Pulver via armbar in round one. Click for the full report.

WEC 47: Bowles vs. Cruz
From Nationwide Arena in Columbus, Ohio
Live on VS.

-Opening video

-Todd Harris and Stephan Bonnar are the hosts. Bonnar says that Bowles is well rounded and Cruz is fast. He predicts that Benavidez vs. Torres will be the fight of the night. Harris runs down the rest of the card.

Lightweight Fight: Bart Palaszewski (32-13) vs. Karen Darabedyan (9-1)

-Darabedyan is coming off a decision victory over Rob McCollough at WEC 44. Palaszewski is coming off a decision victory over Anthony Pettis at WEC 45. Kevin Mulhall is the referee.

Round One: Good left by Darabedyan as Palaszewski throws a leg kick. Good combbo by Darabedyan. Darabedyan teeing off as Palaszewski covers. Big takedown by Darabedyan and he's in side control. Palaszewski rolls for a shoulder lock and gets guard. Darabedyan postures to his feet and rains down with punches. Darabedyan passes to half guard. Elbows by Darabedyan. Darabedyan postures and throws hammerfists. Palaszewski gets guard back. Darabedyan postures and eats an up kick. Darabedyan falls back into guard. Body shot by Darabedyan. Palaszewski working for an armbar but he gives it up. Darabedyan postures up and rains down with heavy punches. Palaszewski survives and goes for a triangle but Darabedyan avoids it and drops into guard. Darabeduan postures to his feet again and lands some good punches followed by an elbow as he drops back into guard. Palaszewski looks for the armbar. Darabedyan fights it off but Palaszewski extends the arm, rolls Darabedyan over, and DARABEDYAN TAPS!

Official Decision: Bart Palaszewski by Submission (Armbar) at 4:40 in Round One

-Palaszewski says he was getting clipped early but was able to survive and lock up the armbar.

Featherweight Fight: Deividas Taurosevicius (12-3) vs. L.C. Davis (15-2)

-Taurosevicius is coming off a decision victory over Mackens Semerzier at WEC 46. Davis is coming off a decision victory over Diego Nunes at WEC 44. Jerry Poe is the referee.

Round One: Both come out southpaw. They clinch and Davis muscles Taurosevicius against the cage. They trade knees in the clinch. Taurosevicius turns the clinch around. More trading of knees. Davis turns the clinch back around. Body shots by Davis as Taurosevicius throws short head punches. The ref breaks them. Counter right by Davis. They clinch and Davis pushes Taurosevicius against the cage. Elbow by Davis followed by another. They trade knees. Davis drops for a single but quickly gives up on it and goes back to firing off elbows. Taurosevicius turns the clinch around and drops for a single. Davis stays on his feet and turns the clinch back around. Knee by Davis as Taurosevicius tries to spin out. Taurosevicius grabs a single and then gets the body lock. Taurosevicius trying hard for the takedown but can't get it. The round ends.

10-9 Davis. He controlled more of the clinch and did slightly more damage.

Round Two: A little more action on the feet to start the round but neither men connecting with anything. Taurosevicius shoots and Davis sprawls. Taurosevicius gets him against the cage and tries for the trip takedown but Davis stays on his feet. Taurosevicius has a single and works hard for a takedown but Davis sprawls. Taurosevicius still has the single as they get to their feet. Taurosevicius finally gets Davis down and seated against the cage. Taurosevicius tries to get Davis' hips from under him but can't. Davis gets up but Taurosevicius still has him pressed against the cage. Good punches by Taurosevicius in the clinch. Davis acts like he got hit in the groin with a knee but the ref tells him to fight on. Davis still wincing in pain. Davis reverses the clinch. Knees by Taurosevicius. Another one appears to catch him low but the ref says he didn't see it so he's not giving him a break. Taurosevicius reveres the clinch. The ref breaks them as the crowd boos. Good combo by Davis but didn't land clean. Right hook followed by a left straight by Davis. They clinch against with Taurosevicius controlling. Taurosevicius drops for a single but Davis sprawls. Davis reverses and controls the clinch. The round ends.

10-9 Taurosevicius. Not much happening that round but Taurosevicius controlled more of the clinch battle.

Round Three: They trade counter right hands. Davis pressing forward but Taurosevicius moves away. They clinch with Davis controlling. Crowd immediately boos. They trade positions a couple of times but now Taurosevicius is controlling. Taurosevicius with a high knee. Elbow by Taurosevicius. Davis reverses. They break. Both still coming up short with their strikes. Davis looks for a takedown but Taurosevicius stuffs it. They clinch with Taurosevicius controlling. Taurosevicius drops for a double and gets his lands locked but he can't complete the takedown. The ref breaks them. Left followed by a right by Davis and then he gets the takedown. Davis in guard. Taurosevicius trying to work the rubberguard. Taurosevicius with punches from the bottom. Davis with body punches. Taurosevicius much more active on the ground controlling the posture of Davis and punching him. The ref stands them up. Right hook by Taurosevicius as Davis jumps in. They clinch with Taurosevicius controlling. Davis reverses. They trade knees as the round ends.

10-9 Taurosevicius. Another close round. Gave it to Taurosevicius because he was more active on the ground.

Official Decision: LC Davis by Majority Decision (29-29, 29-28, 29-28)

-There was no interview with Davis but you could hear him say, "sorry it was boring. I did my best."

-Interviews with Donald Cerrone and Urijah Faber. Cerrone says he's going to finish the fight and that they're not going to the ground. Faber says it's going to be a great fight and he's going to get the belt back. Cerrone fights Ben Henderson for the Lightweight title and Faber fights Jose Aldo for the Featherweight title on April 24 on PPV.

Featherweight Fight: Jens Pulver (22-12-1) vs. Javier Vazquez (13-4)

-Pulver is coming off a submission loss to Josh Grispi at WEC 41. He's 1-6 in his last 7 fights. Vazquez is coming off a decision loss to Deividas Taurosevičius at WEC 43. Greg Franklin is the referee.

Round One: No glove touch from Jens. Both southpaw. Vazquez pressing forward and lands some good shots. Vazquez shoots and Pulver looks for a guillotine. Vazquez has his arm in. Pulver rolls him over and to his back. Pulver gets up and lets Vazquez up. Vazquez catches a kick and gets the takedown. Pulver tries to roll out but Vazquez stays on him and gets his back. Pulver gives up mount and then flips Vazquez over and ends up in guard. Elbow by Pulver before getting to his feet. Vazquez stays on his back, trips Pulver a bit, and ten explodes for a takedown. Vazquez moves to half guard. Vazquez moves right to side control. Vazquez gets the crucifix and rains down punches. Pulver tries to buck out but can't. More short punches by Vazquez. Pulver gets his arm free. Vazquez looking for an arm triangle but can't shift to the other side. Pulver rolls into him and Vazquez takes his back. Pulver gives up mount. Vazquez postures up and looks for the armbar. PULVER TAPS OUT!

-Pulver is down and clutching his arm. It might be broken.

Official Decision: Javier Vazquez by Submission (Armbar) at 3:41 in Round One

-Vazquez says it was an honor to fight Jens.

-Jens says he wanted to be exciting since the fight before his put everyone to sleep. Jens starts to tear up and says, "I love you all way too much to put you through this again." He says he won't say he's officially retired but it sure seems that way. Jens thanks the fans, his family, and Dana White.

Bantamweight Fight (Preliminary Fight): Scott Jorgensen (8-3) vs. Chad George (11-4)

Round One: George comes out southpaw. George shoots and Jorgensen sprawls. Jorgensen looking for a guillotine. He stands up with it and GEORGE TAPS OUT!

Official Decision: Scott Jorgensen by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 0:31 in Round One

-Jorgensen says his wrestling at 135 is one of the best. Jorgensen says he wants to stay active.

Bantamweight Fight: Miguel Torres (37-2) vs. Joseph Benavidez (11-1)

-Benavidez is coming off a TKO victory over Rani Yaha at WEC 45. Torres is coming off a KO loss to Brian Bowles at WEC 42. In that fight he lost the WEC Bantamweight title. Mark Matheny is the referee.

Round One: Inside leg kick by Torres. They throw a leg kick at the same time. Slow start. Left by Benavidez. Benavidez blocks a head kick. Benavidez switching stances. Benavidez just misses with a big right as Torres throws a kick. Leg kick by Benavidez. Quick exchange and Benavidez lands a good right. Jab by Torres. They trade leg kicks but Benavidez catches Torres' and pushes him down. Torres butt scoots forward and then gets up. Jab by Torres. Benavidez with a right and then clinches. Torres reverses the clinch and Benavidez gets the takedown. Heel strikes by Torres off his back. Torres goes for an armbar but Benavidez escapes and passes to side control. Torres turns into Benavidez. Benavidez sprawls out and looks for the guillotine. Torres has his arm in and has half guard. Benavidez gives up on it but still in half guard. Elbows by Benavidez. Torres gets guard. Torres active on bottom with punches and heel strikes. They get to their feet as the round ends.

10-9 Benavidez. Got the takedown and controlled Torres on the ground.

Round Two: Leg kick by Benavidez. Body shot by Benavidez. Jab by Torres. Right by Torres as Benavidez moves in. Leg kick by Benavidez. Jab by Torres. They both just miss with heavy rights. Another leg kick by Benavidez. Another jab by Torres. Benavidez ducks under and gets the takedown. Elbows by Benavidez. Torres is cut badly. Torres has guard and lands heel strikes. Quick scramble and Benavidez grabs a guillotine. He rolls into mount and TORRES TAPS!

Official Decision: Joseph Benavidez by Submission (Guillotine Choke) at 2:57 in Round Two

-Benavidez says he just stuck to the gameplan.

-They cut off Benavidez early and didn't talk to Torres.

Lightweight Fight (Preliminary Fight): Danny Castillo (8-2) vs. Anthony Pettis (7-1)

Round One: Pettis coming up short with his punches. Leg kick by Castillo. Castillo gets a takedown. Castillo tries to throw the legs aside and pass but can't. Pettis gets to his feet. Jumping knee by Pettis and Castillo avoids it. They clinch and Castillo catches Pettis with a knee to the ground. Pettis takes a break but the fight continues. PETTIS WITH A HUGE HEAD KICK! More punches by Pettis and the ref pulls him off.

Official Decision: Anthony Pettis by KO (Head Kick & Strikes) at 2:17 in Round One

-Pettis says this was an important fight and says he's got more knockouts coming.

Bantamweight Title Fight (Main Event): Dominick Cruz (14-1) vs. Brian Bowles (8-0) (c)

-Cruz is coming off a decision victory over Joseph Benavidez at WEC 42. Bowles is coming off a KO victory over Miguel Torres at WEC 42. In that fight he won the WEC Bantamweight title. Kevin Mulhall is the referee.

Round One: Leg kick by Cruz followed by another. Good right by Cruz. Leg kick by Bowles. Counter right by Cruz. Bowles misses with a combo and a high kick. Right hand by Cruz. Counter right by Bowles. A lot of movement by Cruz. Jab by Cruz followed by another. Big punches by both men. Counter right by Cruz. Bowles seems stunned. Leg kicks by Cruz. Body shot by Cruz. Right hand by Cruz as Bowles moves forward. Cruz is just too fast for Bowles on the feet. Bowles moves forward but Cruz ducks under and gets the takedown. Body punches by Cruz. Cruz postures up and gets to his feet. Bowles up as well. Leg kick by Cruz. Good combo by Cruz. The round ends.

10-9 Cruz. Picked him apart on the feet.

Round Two: Counter right by Cruz. Cruz continues to time Bowles and land the counter right. Leg kick by Cruz. Bowles seems to be getting frustrated. Good right by Bowles. Jab by Cruz. Another counter right by Cruz as he's back up. Cruz presses forward with a combo and knocks down Bowles with a leg kick. Bowles back up. Another counter right by Cruz. Cruz landing the jab at will. Bowles bleeding from the nose. Bowles counter a leg kick with a right. Another big combo finished with the leg kick by Cruz. Right hand by Cruz. Bowles catches a leg kick and tries a takedown but Cruz stuffs it. Bowles gets hit with a kick to the groin and the fight is halted. Bowles takes a rest but is ready to continue. The fight is back on. Left hand by Bowles and then another as Cruz tries to land a knee in tight. Bowles with a good flurry but Cruz lands a good right. Takedown by Cruz. Bowles lands an upkick as the round ends.

10-9 Cruz. More of the same.

-The fight is over. The doctor checked on Bowles and it was determined that he couldn't continue.

-Bowles has a swollen eye, a broken nose, a broken hand, and is limping a bit. All contributed to the stoppage.

Official Decision: NEW WEC BANTAMWEIGHT CHAMPION - Dominick Cruz by TKO (Doctor Stoppage) at 5:00 in Round Two

-Cruz gives the belt to his mom and says he just executed the gameplan.

-Bowles says he broke his hand on the first punch he threw and that threw him off mentally.

-Harris and Bonnar wrap up the show.

-End show.