The WEC finished its farewell tour Thursday night, in front of 6,348 fans in Glendale, Arizona. In fitting WEC fashion, the night ended with a Fight-of-the-Year candidate.
Benson Henderson vs. Anthony Pettis
- I'd be remiss in talking about this fight without first commenting on the ridiculous, video-game-esque kick that Pettis landed on Henderson late in the fifth round to seal the fight. I, like two of the three judges ringside, had the fight 38-38 heading into the final frame. Pettis put an emphatic exclamation point on his performance with that kick, winning over a pro-Henderson crowd to the point that he received the loudest ovation of the night. That kick summarizes what I love most about MMA; you never know when you're going to see something truly original.
- Pettis fans are familiar with his wide array of flashy strikes, but he has become a very well-rounded fighter. In his last fight, Pettis kept a good wrestler in Shane Roller from taking him down. On Thursday, Pettis was able to survive with Henderson on his back before eventually reversing position. This win gives Pettis a shot at the UFC lightweight title against the winner of Frankie Edgar and Gray Maynard. Either fighter presents a unique challenge, but I think that Pettis will be able to hang.
- Henderson is an imposing 155-er physically, with legs that look like they belong on a horse. However, his overall game is still very raw. He rarely throws more than two-punch combination and doesn't use his kicks in conjunction with his punches. He has the physical tools to survive in the shark tank of the UFC lightweight division, but Henderson will need to continue evolving to climb to the top.
- To learn some of the unorthodox striking that Duke Roufus-coached fighters like Pettis use, check out Pat Barry and Matt Mitrione's Pro Training modules on TapouTVTC.com.
- This fight was the perfect sendoff to the WEC. It was a back-and-forth battle, a Fight-of-the-Year candidate, featuring excitement and a move that literally left our jaws hanging open. Like so many other WEC fights, it ended in a standing ovation, seen by too few but appreciated by those who did.
Dominick Cruz vs. Scott Jorgensen
- Cruz is a nightmare matchup for anyone in the bantamweight division. He possesses size, speed and unlimited cardio. How exactly do you beat Cruz? If you force him to come to you and look to counterpunch, he can out-quick you. If you try to bully him in the clinch, he can out-strength you. Jorgensen had no answers for Cruz's elusive style, and Cruz dominated from bell to bell.
- When ranking the most frustrating fighters to face, Cruz ranks at the top with Lyoto Machida and Anderson Silva. Any time Jorgensen looked to brawl on the feet, he ended up swinging at air.
- Cruz's biggest asset is his footwork, which is quick and disciplined. Whether he is moving in to attack or out after attacking, Cruz always works his angles. It's disheartening as an opponent when you absorb three punches and a leg kick from Cruz, only to have him disappear from your sight when you look to return fire.
Donald Cerrone vs. Chris Horodecki
- Cerrone did a great job of submission chaining on the ground, transitioning from a triangle to an omoplata before switching to a triangle again for the finish. This is a preaching of Cerrone's coach, Greg Jackson, who likes to see his fighters swing directly from submission to submission, rather than retreating to guard after one missed attempt.
- Cerrone might have finished the fight earlier, had he chosen to rotate forward on the omoplata attempt instead of reaching for a crossface and pulling Horodecki backwards. It looked like a move out of pro wrestling, but rolling back actually took pressure off of Horodecki's shoulder. Instead, Cerrone should have looked to flatten Horodecki onto his stomach, then rolled his hips forward to apply the submission.
- To see Greg Jackson demonstrate the triangle, omoplata, and submission training, sign up for Jackson's Pro Training modules on TapouTVTC.com.
