WEC 46 Preview and Predictions

January 10, 2010 | Tim | Comments 0

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WEC 46 features an anticipated match-up to unify the lightweight title, and also features two former WEC featherweight champions trying to get back to the top of the division.

Dave Jansen vs. Kamal Shalorus: Jansen is an impressive 14-0 in his MMA career, and earned his first WEC victory when he defeated Richard Crunkilton via decision at WEC 43. He is a strong wrestler, and fights with Team Quest, a camp known primarily for wrestling. However, he’s facing another strong wrestler in Shalorus. Shalorus was on the Great Britain in the 2004 Olympics and was once considered one of the best freestyle wrestlers in the world. He’s 5-0-1 in his MMA career, and beat Will Kerr via 1st round TKO in his first WEC contest at WEC 44. Shalorus should have a slight wrestling advantage, and also has more power if the fight remains standing. Shalorus via TKO in the 2nd.

Mackens Semerzier vs. Deividas Taurosevicius: Semerzier impressively submitted Wagnney Fabiano in a big upset at WEC 43. The win improved Semerzier’s record to 5-0, with four of the wins coming via submission. Semerzier boasts an underrated boxing game to go along with his impressive grappling skills. Taurosevicius is more experienced than Semerzier, and has a 11-3 overall record. He’s fought for the IFL as well as the WEC. His first WEC contest was a split-decision victory over Javier Vasquez at WEC 43. In his career, Taurosevicius has beaten fighters such as Dan Lauzon, and Bart Palaszewski, and has also faced the likes of Frankie Edgar and Ryan Schultz. He’s an experienced grappler, though he may prefer to keep the fight standing due to Semerzier’s dangerous submission game. I think that Semerzier’s striking skills are being underrated by some, and I think he’ll have the advantage in most facets of the fight. Semerzier via submission in the 2nd.

Mike Thomas Brown vs. Anthony Morrison: Brown will try to climb back up the featherweight ladder of the WEC after losing his title to Jose Aldo at WEC 44. He’ll face off against Morrison, who will be making his WEC debut. Brown is a solid all-around fighter. He’s very powerful in his striking, has very strong wrestling skills, and is also a brown belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu. Brown trains with American Top Team in Florida, and is 22-5 overall in his career, and has a 4-1 record in the WEC. He’s pretty big for the weight class, and has a size advantage on many of his opponents. Morrison is 15-7 overall in his MMA career, and last defeated former UFC fighter Alvin Robinson in early December. However, he is a huge underdog against Brown, and for good reason. Brown is simply better in every facet of this fight, besides perhaps better nickname, which definitely goes to Anthony “Cheesesteak” Morrison. Either way, Brown should finish this one early and will be looking for another top contender or a rematch with Aldo when it’s over. Brown via TKO in the 1st.

Urijah Faber vs. Raphael Assuncao: While Brown gets a chance to rebuild his title hopes against a lesser known opponent, Faber is getting thrown back into the deep end of the pool against the talented Assuncao. Faber has dropped two of his past three fights (both to Brown), and is finally recovered from hand injuries suffered in the 2nd fight with Brown. He’s the former WEC featherweight champion, and was considered one of the top pound-for-pound fighters in the world for a long stretch. Faber is 22-3 in his MMA career, and is 7-2 in the WEC. He has a strong wrestling background, and his striking is unorthodox, but effective. Assuncao is on a six fight winning streak, and is 14-1 overall in his MMA career. His WEC debut was against Jameel Massouh at WEC 40, where he won a unanimous decision. Assuncao followed that up with a split-decision win over Yves Jabouin at WEC 43. Assuncao is a black belt in Brazilian Jiu Jitsu, and is very dangerous on the ground. The WEC really wants Faber to win this fight so they can set up a huge fight between Faber and current featherweight champion Jose Aldo, and I think Faber will take care of business in this fight. Faber via unanimous decision.

Jamie Varner vs. Benson Henderson: The main event of WEC 46 features a lightweight title unification bout between the champion Jamie Varner, and the interim champion Benson Henderson. Varner won the lightweight title back at WEC 32 over Rob McCullough. He defended the title successfully against Marcus Hicks at WEC 35, and then over Donald Cerrone at WEC 38. The fight against Cerrone was stopped early due to an illegal knee delivered by Cerrone. When Varner was unable to continue, the fight went to the scorecards, giving Varner a decision victory. Since that fight, Varner has been rehabbing a variety of injuries, while Cerrone lost his chance at the interim title and a chance at a rematch with Varner by dropping a decision to Henderson at WEC 43. Varner has strong wrestling and boxing credentials, and brings a 16-2 overall record to this matchup. Varner is also 4-0 in the WEC. Henderson is 3-0 in the WEC, and is 10-1 overall in his MMA career. Prior to winning the interim championship at WEC 43, Henderson defeated Shane Roller and Anthony Njokuani. He was also a collegiate wrestler and was a NAIA wrestling All-American twice during his career. His striking has improved a great deal, and he has good power in his hands. This fight may come down to how much ring rust Varner has acquired during his time off. Henderson is a dangerous opponent, but when he’s on his game, I think Varner’s the better fighter. His technical striking can control the fight, and his defensive wrestling should be able to keep him off his back for the majority of the fight. If the fight goes the distance, it’s probably bad news for Varner, as I’m not sure he’ll be able to match Henderson’s cardio. However, I think Varner can win this fight before it gets to the scorecards, setting up a Varner/Cerrone rematch we’ve all been waiting for. Varner via TKO in the 3rd.

Preliminary Card Picks:

Wagnney Fabiano over Clint Godfrey via 1st round submission

Bryan Caraway over Mark Hominick via 2nd round submission

Akitoshi Tamura over Charlie Valencia via decision

Eddie Wineland over George Roop via decision

Coty Wheeler over Will Campuzano via 2nd round submission

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