The main event was Jamie Varner and Ben Henderson, for the definitive lightweight belt, but the fight that had the crowd at WEC 46 most worked up Sunday night in California was between Urijah Faber and Raphael Assunção. The bout was worth featherweight contender status, deciding who would be champion José Aldo Junior’s next challenge.
Bent on recapturing his number-one status, Faber went in determined and could count on the crowd’s support. The first round was evenly matched, with the Californian holding a slight advantage in the standup. The round that followed say him land a knockdown and takedown on Assunção. In the final stanza, Faber kept up the pace, till making it to the Brazilian’s back and submitting him with a rear-naked choke, bringing his opponent’s six-fight winning streak to an end.
Soon after his arm was raised by the judge, Faber stood side by side with champion José Aldo to make official the title challenge. “I respect you Faber. But no one is taking the belt from me,” said the Brazilian, his lines well rehearsed, to the delight of manager Ed Soares.
“In my mind, this belt is mine,” the “California Kid” retorted.
In the evening’s main event, Jamie Varner started out well against Ben Henderson. But the second and third round saw the interim champion take control. The third round saw Henderson land a knee to Varner’s waist, following up with a guillotine choke and pulling guard. Varner was left no choice but to tap out. Now Ben Henderson has established himself as the organization’s definitive lightweight champion.
Back after his loss to José Aldo, to whom he surrendered his title, Mike Brown rediscovered victory by quickly dispatching Anthony Morrison with a rear-naked choke. Debuting in the bantamweight category, Jiu-Jitsu black belt Wagnney Fabiano recovered from defeat in his last outing, at WEC 43, and beat Clint Godfrey by unanimous decision.
Check out the complete results:
WEC 46
Sacramento, California,
Sunday, January 10, 2010
Benson Henderson submitted Jamie Varner com uma guilhotina aos 2min41s do R3
Urijah Faber submitted Raphael Assunção at 3:49min of R3
Mike Brown submitted Anthony Morrison via rear-naked choke at 1:54 min of R1
Kamal Shalorus defeated Dave Jansen by unanimous judges’ decision
Deividas Taurosevicius venceu Mackens Semerzier by unanimous judges’ decision
Lutas preliminares
Charlie Valencia venceu Akitoshi Tamura by split judges’ decision
Wagnney Fabiano venceu Clint Godfrey by unanimous judges’ decision
Mark Hominick submitted Bryan Caraway via armbar at 3:48min of R1
Eddie Wineland venceu George Roop by unanimous judges’ decision
Will Campuzano venceu Coty Wheeler by unanimous judges’ decision