Henderson to defend title against Pettis. Photo: Josh Hedges.
After nine years, the WEC will come to a stop at its fifty-third installment. The promotion will now cease to exist and hand all the fighters on its roster and two weight divisions over to the UFC. Thus being the case, tonight’s event shall define the future of some of the organization’s better fighters and promises to be a riveting show.
The event will determine who goes on to be the first-ever bantamweight champion of the UFC, with Dominick Cruz defending his WEC belt against Scott Jorgensen. In the evening’s main event, lightweight champion Ben Henderson faces the dangerous Anthony Pettis. The winner will be the next challenger to the UFC lightweight belt to be decided on the first day of the new year between Frankie Edgar and challenger Gray Maynard.
Renan Barão. Photo: Josh Hedges.
Besides the title fights, there will be two promising Brazilians in action in Arizona. A Jair Lourenço student at Kimura Nova União training with José Aldo and Co. in Rio, Renand Barão will be looking for a second win in two fights for the promotion against Chris Cariaso. Now Jungle Fight champion Yuri Marajó makes his debut in the event against Ricardo Lamas.
Check out the card:
WEC 53
December 16, 2010
Arizona, United States
Ben Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis
Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen
Donald Cerrone vs. Chris Horodecki
Bart Palaszewski vs. Kamal Shalorus
Danny Downes vs. Tiequan Zang
Shane Roller vs. Jamie Varner
Ivan Menjivar vs. Bras Pickett
Ken Stone vs. Eddie Wineland
Danny Castillo vs. Will Kerr
Yuri Marajó vs. Ricardo Lamas
Renan Barão vs. Chris Cariaso
(With the collaboration of Junior Samurai)