Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen Set for WEC 53

WEC bantamweight champion Dominick Cruz will defend his title against Scott Jorgensen at WEC 53 on Dec. 16 in Arizona.

Cruz (16-1, 6-1 WEC) successfully defended his belt, earning a split-decision win over Joseph Benavidez at WEC 50. Since losing to Urijah Faber in a WEC featherweight championship bout, Cruz has gone 6-0, including 5-0 at bantamweight.

Jorgensen (11-3, 7-2 WEC) has won five fights in a row and has earned two Fight of the Night honors during that streak. Most recently, Jorgensen defeated Brad Pickett by unanimous decision at WEC 50 to earn a shot at the bantamweight strap.

This is the second title bout announced for WEC 53. Ben Henderson will also defend his WEC lightweight title against Anthony Pettis.

Cruz last three fights
Win (Split Decision) Joseph Benavidez - WEC 50
Win (TKO - Doctor Stoppage) Brian Bowles - WEC 47
Win (Unanimous Decision) Joseph Benavidez - WEC 42


Jorgensen last three fights:
Win (Unanimous Decision) Brad Pickett - WEC 50
Win (Unanimous Decision) Antonio Banuelos - WEC 48
Win (Submission - Guillotine Choke) Chad George - WEC 47

Props: Twitter.com/WEConVERSUS

UFC 119 Post-Fight Thoughts

- I've spent all weekend trying to formulate the best way to describe Mir vs. 'Cro Cop' to someone who was fortunate enough to miss it. It was, in short, a black hole for entertainment. Not only did those 14 minutes completely suck the life out of everyone in the arena, but they sucked the life out of everyone watching at home too. One viewer at my house actually fell asleep halfway through the second round. This fight was so bad that when Mir connected with a big knee (that would have been a highlight finish in most fights), it was met with one big, collective shrug.

- Need proof that the UFC was not happy with Mir's performance? Look no further than Dana White electing to give two Fight of the Night bonuses in lieu of awarding Mir Knockout of the Night for the only KO on the card. Even in victory, Mir seems to be moving further and further away from a title shot.

- It seems like after most Mirko 'Cro Cop' performances over the last two years, we are left questioning his will to fight, and Saturday night was no different. 'Cro Cop' was tentative on the feet, never threw more than two punches, and only threw one head kick. Sadly, the days of 'Cro Cop' being a relevant heavyweight have long passed.

- I loved the maturity that Evan Dunham showed in his fight. A lot of prospects would have wilted after sustaining the cut that he did, but Dunham was fired up and dominated the rest of the fight (awful judging be damned).

- How did the only two people in the world that scored the second round for Sean Sherk happen to be two of the three judges?

- Sherk proved that he is still a dangerous lightweight. I was happy to see Sherk go back to his wrestling, rather than sticking to a boxing strategy that had lost him some recent fights.

- Matt Serra should have been doing everything in his power to get Chris Lytle to the mat. Instead, Serra was battered repeatedly on every exchange, and never deviated from a failing game plan.

- Should we be surprised that the same two judges that scored the fight for Sherk also gave Melvin Guillard the decision over Jeremy Stephens? Guillard landed nothing of substance during their three-round affair, while Stephens landed leg kicks and the harder punches. It was not as egregious as the Sherk/ Dunham fight, but it was close.

- C.B. Dollaway is starting to show a maturation in his fight game. Old Dollaway would have squeezed that arm-in guillotine until his arms gassed out. New Dollaway was patient, adjusted position, and eventually created a scramble that resulted in a brutal choke that earned him Submission of the Night honors.

- I really enjoy watching Matt Mitrione fight. What worries me, though, is his combination of keeping his hands low and his chin high. Against some of the harder strikers in the division, that's a recipe for an early exit.

UFC 119 Quick Results and Bonuses

Main Card:
Frank Mir def. Mirko 'Cro Cop' by KO (knee) at 4:02 of round 3
Ryan Bader def. Antonio Rogerio Nogueira by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Chris Lytle def. Matt Serra by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sean Sherk def. Evan Dunham by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
Melvin Guillard def. Jeremy Stephens by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)

Spike TV Card:
C.B. Dollaway def. Joe Doerksen by submission (guillotine choke) at 2:47 of round 1
Matt Mitrione def. Joey Beltran by unanimous decision (29-28, 29-28, 29-28)

Preliminary Card:
Thiago Tavares def. Pat Audinwood by submission (guillotine choke) at 3:47 of round 1
Waylon Lowe def. Steve Lopez by split decision (29-28, 28-29, 29-28)
T.J. Grant def. Julio Paulino by unanimous decision (30-27, 30-27, 30-27)
Sean McCorkle def. Mark Hunt by submission (kimura) at 1:03 of round 1

$70,000 bonuses:
Fight of the Night: Sean Sherk vs. Evan Dunham
Fight of the Night: Matt Mitrione vs. Joey Beltran (given in lieu of Knockout of the Night)
Submission of the Night: C.B. Dollaway

15,811 fans attended for a live gate of $1.6 million